The Hexagonal
American Outlaws Initiate the Action at the Azteca
Surrounded by a sea of Mexican fans wearing red, white, and green, a boisterous crowd of American Outlaws made sure that everybody in Estadio Azteca knew they were there. Impressive stuff.
MEXICO CITY—The action inside Estadio Azteca started more than an hour before the opening whistle.
A thin sliver of U.S. fans—the American Outlaws—waved flags, sang songs, chanted, and otherwise called attention to themselves despite being surrounded by tens of thousands of animated El Tri supporters.
Positioned in the worst seats in the house—the corner of the top tier—these 100-plus fans were not timid about their patriotism. Every time the American fans began a new chant, they were shouted down by the Mexican fans surrounding them. A brief respite would follow. And then the Americans would up again, provoking an even louder response from the home crowd.
A huge contingent of riot police in full martial law regalia stood guard while the two supporters’ groups waged verbal battle. It was an awesome spectacle. It's still happening as I write this inside a deafening Estadio Azteca.
It will probably still be going on deep into the match.
Well done, American Outlaws. Get home safe.
John Godfrey is the founder and editor in chief of American Soccer Now. Follow him on Twitter.
