Showing posts with label United States. Show all posts
Showing posts with label United States. Show all posts

Monday, June 12, 2017

USA fans at Azteca Stadium for USA vs. Mexico World Cup Qualifier


It was an incredible evening for the USA fans who traveled to Mexico City and Azteca stadium to support the US Men's National team in a World Cup Qualifier against Mexico.

This was my third time photographing the most intense World Cup away Qualifier for the USA.  I can't make it to as many qualifiers as I used to, but there is no way I would miss USA vs. Mexico at Azteca.
Many of the US Soccer fans made their way to Azteca Stadium via buses put together by US Soccer, the American Outlaws, and Sammers Supporters Club.  
After about a 45-minute ride from the center of Mexico City, Azteca Stadium came into view.
 Once there the fans had to disembark from their buses and go through a police line including mounted police officers. One American fan found a special connection with a police horse while waiting to enter.
 Soon the fans were moved through the security line...
 ....and their loud cheers supporting the USA...
 ...were met by jeers from the Mexico fans.

 Spirits were high for the USA fans, especially after a good run of form.
The Mexican police have to be commended for having enough security on hand to handle any potential trouble between the USA fans.

Some USA and Mexico fans faced off with each other on the walk in.
But others fans decided to be more civil and take photos together.
Although vastly outnumbered the USA supporters section continues to almost double in size every four years.
 Even former USMNT'er Jimmy Conrad was spotted in the stands.
 Many fans were decked out in red, white, and blue to show off their national pride.
The fans sang the US national anthem with gusto...
 ...and loudly supported the USMNT from the opening whistle.
They were quickly rewarded with an amazing chip shot from Michael Bradley that put the Yanks up 1-0 against Mexico.
 The USA fans started cheering even lounder after the goal....
 ...and some couldn't believe their luck.
The Mexico fans, separated by police lines and fences from the USA fans, looked on a bit nervously.
 Mexico fans that heckled the USA fans were met with a 'subtle' reply back.
 But there were no serious conflicts between the two fan groups because of the police lines that carefully kept watch on the crowd.
Mexico soon struck back to even the game at 1-1 which led to some wild and raucous celebrations throughout the rest of Azteca Stadium.
 Some USA fans rued their change in fortunes.
 But many USA fans continued to cheer for their team the whole game.
 They cheered and clapped and sang.
 But as the game continued deadlocked 1-1 the Mexico fans looked happy and hoped for a possible a late goal against America.
And in the end...
 ...the USA held on for a point! It is the most difficult away point for America to earn this World Cup qualifying cycle. The point keeps them on track to qualify for Russia 2018.
 As the USA fans left Azteca, the remaining Mexico fans 'gently' asked them to get out of town quickly.
 But the USA fans had no reason to hang their heads. As they boarded the buses back to the hotel, you could tell many left all their energy and effort supporting the USMNT in the stands.
Back to the hotel, they gathered for a celebratory group photo. A point at Azteca is always a good result for the USA.  Maybe one day they will win a World Cup game there as well.

Monday, March 27, 2017

USA Soccer Fans - World Cup Qualifier USA vs. Honduras at San Jose

It was a dream night for the USA soccer fans in San Jose at the World Cup Qualifier against Honduras.  After a disastrous start to their World Cup qualifying campaign, the USMNT had to go all out and claim three points.
 The fans were all decked out at the pre-game American Outlaws tailgate.
 But the rain dampened some of the early celebrations.
 The fans marched into the stadium ready to support the USA.
 And there was some good natured heckling between the fans of USA and Honduras.
 After the national anthem...
 ...The USA fans were ready to bang their drums...
 ...and sing and cheer. It was easy too when your team scores two goals in the opening 35 minutes while playing some exciting soccer.
 And it was punctuated by a spectacular individual effort by Clint Dempsey for the third goal of the half.
There really were not any words to describe in words the feeling of a USA soccer fan up 3-0 in a must win game better than this picture does. So I won't even try.
 In the second half, the rain continued to come down.
 But the USA fans kept on drumming and supporting the national team.
And after three quick goals to start the second half salted away the result...

...the Honduras fans found themselves with little to cheer for.
 It even turned into a bit of a snooze fest for some of the American fans.
 But in the end, the fans held their pride up high.
And stood united supporting the national team as they continue their road to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Monday, June 6, 2016

USA vs. Colombia, Copa America Centenario Opening Match

Finally, the Copa America arrived on the shores of America, and with it the crazy passionate soccer fans of South America.
The opening match for Copa America was held at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara and featured Colombia, the number three team in the world, against the host country the United States.
There were many USA fans at the game...
...including a large group of American Outlaws fans that marched into the stadium from the tailgate.
Before the start of the match, there was an opening ceremony event...
...that featured hundreds of people who had to work together in harmony to pull it off. It was quite a site to behold.
The American Outlaws brought some TIFO for the game...
...but the Colombia fans were soon cheering after going up 1-0 within 10 minutes.
The USA fans looked on in stunned disbelief...
...before getting back to cheering on the home country.
But the Colombia fan's prayers of an opening game win were soon rewarded...
...by James Rodriguez scored a penalty kick right before halftime.
After a quiet second half, the Colombia fans honored former player Andres Escobar, was killed after scoring an own-goal against the USA in the 1994 World Cup.
Many of the other Colombia fans celebrated the victory which put them securely in first place in Group A of the Copa America tournament. The USA will need to regroup before playing Costa Rica on Tuesday in Chicago.