Mexican+Soccer

 By: TJ Guardia __ Mexican Soccer __ __History__ Known as “Futbol” throughout the country, soccer is the most popular sport in Mexico. The history Mexican soccer had a much slower start than some South American team such as Argentina and [|Brazil] and European countries Germany, and Italy. However, once it got to the country, it spread quickly and became popular extremely fast. In 1923, Mexico established their National Soccer team and had their own National Championship. On January 1st, 1923, Mexico had their first international soccer match with [|Guatemala], and won with a score of 3-2. In 1930, Mexico made it to the world cup. However, it performed extremely poorly, and finished last place in its division. The Mexican team took part of 5 World Cups before 1970, but did very poorly and was only able to win one game in this time. Mexico’s claim to fame started in 1970, when it participated and hosted the World Cup. The Mexican team did extremely well, and made it to the quarterfinals, farther than they have ever gone before. After this point, soccer became the most popular sport throughout Mexico. It hosted the World Cup again in 1986, and was able to make it to the quarterfinals. They also established a professional soccer league in 1943, called the Primera División Profesional. Both the professional league and the national team are administered by the F.M.F [|(Federación Mexicana de Futbol),] which was established in 1927. The professional league started off with only 6 teams, and slowly progressed in the 1950’s and 1960’s. However, after Mexico hosted the world cup in 1970, it took a gigantic boom. It now has 18 teams throughout Mexico. The Mexican National team plays in the famous “Azteca Stadium.” The stadium is the largest in the world; it can seat over 105,000 people. It is also home to the Mexican professional club team, America. __ ( Http://www.soccer-fans-info.com/history-of-soccer-in-mexico.html ) ( [] ) __( [] ) (Enrique, Krauze)

__Mexican Soccer league__ The Mexican soccer league was established in 1943. It is called the Primera División Professional. Just like most soccer leagues in the world, it has two seasons, winter and summer. The Federación Mexicana de Futbol manages it, or F.M.F. It currently has 18 soccer clubs. The soccer clubs are America, Atlante, Atlas, Guadalajara, Cruz Azul, Chiapas, Ciudad Juarez, Monterrey, Monarcas Morelia, Pachuca, Puebla, Queretaro, Pumas (U.N.A.M.), San Luis, Santos Laguna, Estudiantes Tecos, Tigres (U.A.N.L.), and Toluca. The most popular and most successful teams are America, Chivas, Guadalajara, and Pumas. The team with the most championships is currently Guadalajara, it has 11 championships. America is closely behind with 10 championships. America plays in the famous “Estadio Azteca,” along with the Mexican International team. Overall the most popular and followed team in Mexico is considered to be Club America. Club America clinched its first championship in 1963, and has had a long history in Mexico. It is currently managed by Jesus Ramirez. Its mascot is “Las Aguuilas.” La Primera Division Professional is considered to be one of the more competitive leagues around the world, and one of the higher paying leagues as well. The all-time leading scorer for the league is the Brazilian, Cabinho, which 312 goals. ( [] ) __( Http://www.soccer-fans-info.com/history-of-soccer-in-mexico.html )__ (  [] )

__Mexican National Team__ The Mexican national team is referred to as “El Tri” which means “the three” or “three” in English. It was named after the three colors on the Mexican flag, which are green, white, and red. The Mexican National team was established in 1923. It appeared in its first World Cup in 1930, and hosted World Cups in 1970 and 1986. It now has 13 world cup appearances, which is among the best in the world. The uniform colors are green at home and white away. The highest [|FIFA] ranking the team has ever received is four. It has never won a word cup throughout its history, but is very well respected and established among the best soccer teams in the world. Despite never winning a world cup, the Mexican soccer fans are known to be the most passionate soccer fans in the world. The Mexican national team plays in the famous “Estadio Azteca,” where it holds an almost undefeated record. The current coach is Javier Aguirre, who had coached the Mexican team before in the 2002 World Cup in South Korea. Jared Borgetti is currently the top-leading scorer, with 46 goals, and is still with the current Mexican team. The Mexican soccer team is currently ranked 15th in the world, and has high expectations going in the 2010 World Cup in South Korea. The current Mexican squad has 24 payers in total. Some of the more popular and better players in the 2009 Mexican squad are Omar Bravo, Francisco Guillermo Ochoa, Jared Borgetti, Rafa Marquez, and Johnny Magallón. __( Http://www.soccer-fans-info.com/history-of-soccer-in-mexico.html )__ __Famous Players__ Mexico has had many famous player s throughout its history. This list includes Hugo Sanchez, Claudio Suarez Luis Hernandez, Jared Borgetti and Rafael Marquez. The mostly widely recognized and most famous as of right now is Rafael Marquez. Rafael Marquez, also known as “Rafa” is a member of the Spanish soccer club FC Barcelona. He is the captain of the Mexican National Team, and as well as the captain for FC Barcelona. He plays central or right defender. He is from Zamora Michoacán, Mexico, and was born on February 13, 1979. He is considered to be the most successful Mexican soccer player of all time, at one point earning more than $200,000 per game. There is a big debate among who is the greatest Mexican soccer player of all time, but most would give this honor to Hugo Sanchez. Hugo Sanchez was born on July 11, 1958 in Mexico City. He started his career with U.N.A.M. Pumas in 1976 as their striker, and finished his career with the Spanish soccer team Real Madrid. He played 60 games with the Mexican international team, and scored 29 goals. He retired in 1997. He later became the head coach of the Mexican international team, only to be replaced by Javier Aguirre early in 2009. He is one of the most respected and well-known Mexican soccer players of all time. ( [] ) ( __(Http://www.soccer-fans-info.com/history-of-soccer-in-mexico.html)__ (The Associated Press)

__Azteca Stadium__ The Mexican National team plays in the famous “Azteca Stadium.” The stadium is the largest in the world; it can seat over 105,000 people. It was built in 1961, with Pedro Ramirez Vasquez and Rafael Mijares in charge. It took over four years to build. The construction of this stadium took a lot of work and a giant work force. It had 10 architects, 34 engineers, 15 technicians, and over 800 workers. The stadium was renovated in 1985, and it now has one of the most modern lighting systems in the world. The Mexican [|Costa Rica] team was undefeated in this stadium for World Cup qualifying until 2001, when Costa Rica defeated them 2-1. It is still undefeated against North and South American teams. This stadium cost more than $260 million dollars to construct. . The Azteca stadium is also home to the Mexican professional club team, America. This stadium is a source of much pride to Mexican soccer. It has hosted many events since its construction. Including the 1968 summer Olympics and the 1999 Confederations cup. The [|NFL] also held their first football game in Mexico in the Azteca Stadium in 2005, when the San Francisco 49ers took on the Arizona Cardinals.  ( [] ) (  []  ) (Vescey, George)

__Linguistic Relevance__ The Mexican language in general uses yesísmo, seseo, and tuteo. With more than 100,00 speakers, there are many different dialects throughout the country. There is also a small an indigenous influence in the country.

These are some of the soccer words that are used throughout both Mexico and the world. 1. “El Tri”- This is used to describe the Mexican National Team. This name was developed after the three colors of the Mexican flag, green, white, and red. An example of how this is used is “Hoy juega El Tri contra El Salvador .”

2. “Golaso”-This means a very good goal. An example of how this is used is “Viste el partido ayer? Viste que golaso que metio Rafa?” **See the video below for a sample.** 3. “Chutar”-This means to go and casually kick the soccer ball around. An example of how this is used is “Vamos a chutar.” __[__ __ʧ__ __uta__ __ɾ__ __]__ 4. “Cascarita”-This means to go and play a pick-up game of soccer. An example of how this is used is “Vamos a jugar una cascarita.” [kas ka ri ta]

5. “Los Universitarios”-This is the nickname used to describe soccer club U.N.A.M. or Pumas from Mexico. An example of how this is used is “Hoy juega America contra los Universitarios.”

6. “Partidaso”-This means a great soccer game. An example of how this is used is “Que partidaso entre Mexico y Honduras ayer.”

7. “Pelota”-This means soccer ball. “An example of how this is used is “Pasa la pelota Rafa.”



Sources 1. Orlian, Niv. “History of Soccer in Mexico” Web. November 27, 2009 __(Http://www.soccer-fans-info.com/history-of-soccer-in-mexico.html)__ 2. Written by the “Estadio Azteca Staff.” “History and events.” Web. November 24, 2009. Comercio Mas, S.A. de C.V. 2004. __[])__  3. Huerta, David. “ Historia de la Seleccion Mexicana.” Web. November 26, 2009. Mexico: Clio 1998 ([]) 4. Orlian, Niv. “Famous Mexican Soccer Players.” Web. November 20, 2009. Published: October 1st, 2007. ( [] )    5. Copyright Club America S.A. “ La Historia del Club América.” Web. December 2, 2009. (  [] )  6. The Associated Press. “Mexico Fires Sanchez.” New York Times. Printed April 1, 2008. Article: December 1, 2009  7. Vecsey, George. “A Line was drawn at Estadio Azteca.” New York Times. Printed August 13, 2009. Article: December 3, 2009 8. Krauze, Enrique. “Pri-Game.” New Republic. Printed July 4, 1994. Article: December 2, 2009.

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 * (This is a speech example of two Mexican announcers saying "Golaso." This game was between Brazil and Mexico in the

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 *  (This is a video on the Mexican soccer star Rafael Marquez.) **