Fans of Team Mexico invaded La Quinta Grill Mexican Restaurant and Cantina on E Street in Chula Vista, each one covered in green, white and red and making their presence known by blowing their vuvuzelas loudly.
While some ate nachos and guzzled beer after beer, most settled at the Mexican cantina to watch their countrymen play against a favored Brazil team in the first round of the World Cup.
“Mexico played awesome because their defense is awesome,” said Mexico fan Michael Baez.
Baez is from the Dominican Republic but he was one of the many fans dressed in Team Mexico gear because he said he was rooting for the team that best represented his Hispanic culture.
Baez, however, said he doesn’t expect Mexico to win it all but predicts that they will be one of the last teams standing.
Baez was at the restaurant with his Mexican girlfriend as they both were on hand watching the game intensely, only engaging in conversation at a stoppage in the game.
He has been to La Quinta before but he said this was the first time he’s gone for a sports event and thought that the atmosphere was “awesome.”
Rigo Gonzalez, another Mexico fan, boastfully cheered on Team Mexico.
Four friends accompanied Gonzalez, each one screaming and chanting “México! México! México!” when the team did something good.
“It’s the World Cup! What do you expect?” he said about his passion and excitement for the match.
Mexico fan Sergio Lopez was there with family and friends.
He was so into the game that he declined to be interviewed until the game was over.
Although Mexico tied Brazil, Lopez said he was proud of the way Mexico played, considering that they were the underdogs.
“They played really good, really, really good and intense,” he said.
Lopez said he’s been bottling up his jubilation for the games for a few years now.
“Every four years this is what we do,” Lopez said about watching the game with his friends and family.
Baez said even if Mexico doesn’t win the World Cup he has happy to see the sport finally being embraced in America
“No matter who wins (the tournament) I’m glad that FIFA is here on this side of the planet and in Europe,” he said. “ I love that Americans are accepting this. It’s about time. It took a long time. It’s come a long way.”
