Pro-Club America crowd enjoys friendly match between Mexican giants and Bravos
Large Sun Bowl crowd enjoys Mexican giants Club America’s game against FC Juarez
Large Sun Bowl crowd enjoys Mexican giants Club America’s game against FC Juarez
During Sunday night’s friendly match between FC Juarez and Club America, which ended in a 1-1 draw, it quickly became clear that this was not a typical Sun Bowl event.
An hour and a half before kickoff, the line at all entrances was more than 300 feet long, about 90 minutes earlier than the usual crowd in El Paso. When kickoff began at 7:37 p.m., the line was still 300 feet long, even though the temperature had already dropped to 90 degrees.
When the game kicked off, numerous fans stormed the gates at the southeast entrance of the stadium to speed things up.
Some fans may have used the gate entrance to sneak in a few flares, which were set off in the 80th minute. Emboldened by the success, several thousand fans stormed the field after the game, the first storming of the Sun Bowl field since UTEP defeated No. 11 Houston in 2009.
Much of that was bullying of American midfielder Alejandro Zendejas, a Juarez native who grew up in El Paso and attended Hornedo Middle School before being picked up by FC Dallas. His parents still live here.
“I went to the bench area to greet my family and they came down,” Zendejas said. “Then out of nowhere I noticed a group of people running towards me. It’s crazy how much people love this club.”
Once inside the stadium, fans lined up again to get an autograph and a pre-match photo with Club America’s star goalkeeper Luis Malagon (also goalkeeper for the Mexican national team), who was out due to injury but still put in a hard day’s work for the enthusiastic fans.
In terms of attendance, judging by the jerseys and the reception of the teams, about 75% of it was made up of Club America, the reigning Liga MX champions from Mexico City.
“It’s always important when America comes here to the borderland to represent,” Malagon said in Spanish after the game. “This reception says a lot about the support of the team.”
In fact, America fans were present.
“I’m super, super excited,” said Sarai Villa, an El Paso resident who was at the game with her husband and son, Aaron, all wearing Club America gear. “I’ve never seen Club America in person. This is what we’ve been waiting for.”
Aaron knew he wouldn’t see his favorite player, midfielder Richard Sanchez, but was still excited to see his favorite team in person.
“I’m really excited,” he said. “I get to see Club America!”
Club America comes to Juarez once a year for an away game in Liga MX, but the 19,000-seat Estadio Benito Juarez is often sold out in advance for season ticket holders.
For Borderland fans, this preseason friendly, with both teams sporting large rosters and preparing for their opening games on July 5 and 6, was the easiest way to get to know Club America. They were last in the Sun Bowl in 2009, when they played a preseason friendly against Mexico’s third most popular team, Cruz Azul.
This was FC Juarez’s first-ever Sun Bowl game, although they played the Locomotive at Southwest University Park in March.
Attendance for this game was reported at 29,432, more than any other UTEP football game last year, and it looked fuller, too.
Cindy Buenrostro and Jorge Casteneda were among the first fans to have their photo taken with Malagon.
“It was great. I didn’t think we would do it, but we did it,” Buenrostro said as she had her Club America jersey signed by Malagon. “We’re ready to have a good time.”
“We’ve been waiting for this since they announced it,” Casteneda said. “It’s my first time seeing Club America. (The Sun Bowl) should do this more often.”
Ivan Rodriguez was among the minority of fans wearing a Bravos jersey, but Juarense was ready to support his team.
“It feels like we’re home, just 20 minutes down the road,” Rodriguez said. “It’s surprising (America fans were so in the majority), but they’re a popular team. It’s really great to see Juarez here, so close to home.”
El Paso is home to FC Juarez backup goalkeeper Benny Diaz, who for once didn’t have to cross a bridge to get to work. He drives past the Sun Bowl every day on his way from his home on the West Side to Juarez, but has never been inside.
“It’s exciting to play here. It’s a really big crowd, I’m happy to be here, I hope people are happy with what they saw,” said Diaz. “29,000 people is more than Benito Juarez can accommodate. This is one of the biggest crowds in Juarez, I hope to see this more often.”
On the field, Juarez started with the first choice, which was not the case for America, as seven of the 11 starting players were 20 years old or younger. Teams had unlimited substitutions and took advantage. Juarez also took advantage of Club America’s young starting lineup and got off to a dream start in the fifth minute when Angel Zaldivan blasted a shot into the net that drew a cheer from the outnumbered Bravos fans.
Club America had to save a penalty after FC Juarez committed a foul that appeared to have taken place outside the penalty area. That play was not replayed, but that didn’t stop all 11 Bravos from surrounding the referee and pointing to the video board. Juarez goalkeeper Sebastian Jurado saved Miguel Vasquez’s attempt.
Diaz also saved a penalty from Esteban Lozano in the 72nd minute, but Vasquez converted the rebound to equalize the game.
The loudest cheer from the crowd came when Zendejas, one of America’s biggest stars, was substituted in the 73rd minute.
“It’s incredible to see the stadium so full, almost full,” said Zendejas. “It’s always nice to be back here. It’s always good to be home.”
Reach Bret Bloomquist at [email protected]; @Bretbloomquist on Twitter.
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