Photo: Jacqueline García/La Opinión / Impremedia
On Tuesday, starting at 5 in the morning, the line began to form to enter the Guelaguetza restaurant in Los Angeles and witness the debut of Mexico in the World Cup 2022. And as has been the custom for years, the female fan base continues to grow to cheer on the players.
Among the hard-core fans was Ana Lucia Peraza, who said that she got up early to get to the restaurant. Proudly Mexican, the young woman emphasized that she considers herself even more of a fan than her own boyfriend since she had to wake him up to go to the restaurant.
“ I feel super excited, I even feel like I’m turning into someone else, I jump, I cry and it gives me a lot of emotion from the moment they sing the national anthem until the last whistle blows,” said Peraza.
He said that one day before he also got up at 4: 12 in the morning to go watch England play against Iran. She assured that she will be in the front line in all the matches that she can
A few tables away was Jacqueline Alvarado, who arrived with her husband. She said that this event is a tradition for many years that began first with her father and now with her husband Luis Alvarado.
“For my dad I was like the child he didn’t have yet. As the eldest daughter, she always took me to the games and that’s why I got used to it and I like sports,” said the follower who had her birthday that same day.
Luis said he is very happy that his wife enjoys world sports with the. The couple said that they arrived around 6 in the morning to have access to a table inside the restaurant.
Yesenia Aranda arrived accompanied by a friend and although he did not get a table, he did have a good place at the restaurant bar. The young woman said that she began to watch soccer from a young age since her father has been a fan of hers for a long time.
“Now it’s much more exciting,” stresses Aranda. “Since I’m older I already know more about the game; I’ve also been to Mexico and it feels more real. Before, I saw it for my dad, now I see it for myself.”
The fan who is Mexican-American said that her other favorite team is the United States and her cheers go to both teams.
Working and supporting the national team
Bricia López, co-owner of La Guelaguetza, said that she has always seen and hangs out with women who are passionate about soccer. He humorously compared the Mexican team to a “man who mistreats you, but you always come back” because he no longer knows what to expect.
“I am very excited and hopeful,” said Bricia. “But I come to have fun, to be with Mexicans. There is a lot of emotion and all the people who are here are super passionate.”
Bricia explained that they began to prepare to open the restaurant from 5 in the morning for his fans to enjoy in one of the approximately screens and projectors that they had inside and outside.
Her sister Paulina López added that she was happy since they had been waiting this event. La Guelaguetza is considered the place to watch the World Cup every four years.
“This whole place moves as one, people are standing or sitting shouting and jumping,” said Paulina. “I think it’s a moment that connects us even though we’re so far away, seeing so many people here and celebrating together.”
Paulina She said that she woke up at 4 in the morning to get ready and enjoy the passion for soccer with her clients.
She added that this It is an unmissable event since it brings back very good memories as a child when in her native Oaxaca, Mexico, she watched her uncles play soccer on Sundays. Later, her brother continued with the passion and now her daughters also play soccer
“It is part of our identity and it is an emotion that is felt every four years. That hope of knowing how far we are going to go”, stressed Paulina.
The match
There was no winner in the match, but as the The Mexican goalkeeper saved a penalty from Poland, which would have meant defeat, the hero of the game and particularly for the young fans was Guillermo Ochoa, the goalkeeper for El Tri.
On social media the atmosphere was such that after Ochoa’s save a fan immediately tweeted : “My next son will be called Memo”.
La Guelaguetza will be showing all the games in Mexico live. Reservations are not needed to enter.
The Guelaguetza is located at 3014 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA.