Football is big in Mexico and the supporters of the local clubs will also visit South Africa in great numbers during the matches in June and July.
The New York Times recently published the following article about the game in Mexico and the world qualifier match between the soccer teams of Mexico and the United States.
" MEXICO CITY — The massive bowl, Estadio Azteca, sits in the southern part of this sprawling metropolis like a concrete sombrero. The stadium’s mystique — especially its 105,000 spectators and its 7,200-foot altitude — will play an integral role Wednesday in a World Cup qualifying match between Mexico and the United States.
The Americans have never won a soccer match in Mexico. At
Azteca, they are 0-8-1. Futility is not the sole province of the United States. In four decades, Mexico has lost only one World Cup qualifying match at Azteca — to Costa Rica in 2001.
Strange things seem to happen at Azteca, the only stadium to host two World Cup finals, in 1970 and 1986. This is where
Diego Maradona’s
infamous Hand of God goal occurred in a 1986 quarterfinal match between Argentina and England. More encouraging for the United States, it is also where
the Americans escaped with a scoreless draw in 1997, despite playing a man down for nearly two-thirds of the match.
Azteca can be a dislocating place,
Bruce Arena, the former American coach, said recently. He pointed to its steeply banked seats, its difficult sightlines and the distance of about 20 yards from the sideline to the team benches."
Soccer in Mexico
WikiAnswers info on soccer clubs in Mexico:
The Mexican First Division is made up of 18 clubs, the season is divided into two
halves, the 2009 Apertura regular season was just completed, clubs are listed
in their order of finish
Club Name City or state
Toluca Toluca
Cruz Azul Mexico City
Morelia Morelia
America Mexico City
Monterrey Monterrey
Santos Torreon
Puebla Puebla
Pachuca Pachuca
Atlante Quintana Roo (used to play in Mexico City)
Tigres Monterrey
San Luis San Luis Potosi
Estudiantes Guadalajara (Tecos?)
Jaguares Chiapas
Chivas Guadalajara
Atlas Guadalajara
Gallos Blancos Irapuato
Pumas Mexico City
Indios Cuidad Juarez
When supporters of soccer football clubs in Mexico want to travel to South Africa for the matches in June and July the options will be:
Mexico City to Atlanta USA to Johannesburg on Aeromexico and Delta Airlines
Mexico City to Texas USA to Johannesburg on Delta Airline and United Airlines
Toluca Mexico to Texas USA to Atlanta to Johannesburg on Continental Airlines and Delta Airlines
Mexico City to Cancun to Atlanta to Johannesburg on Mexicana and Delta Airlines
FLIGHTS, MEXICO, CITY, JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
