If anyone's trying to depict tonight’s CONCACAF Cup showdown as geopolitical theater – a case of the United States or Mexico, as concepts more than teams, coming out "on top" – many young fans weren’t feeling that.
Instead, at the end of the Rose Bowl parking lot mostly populated by Mexico fans, a demographic shift was clear: plenty of fans came to the game with happily shared allegiances.
Sure, some repped solely for Mexico (and Mexican culture):
But at plenty of tailgate parties, Mexican and American flags flew side-by-side, with West Coast rap and funk blaring for fans in both teams’ jerseys.
Many overwhelmingly Mexico-leaning groups put up with at least one buddy in the Red, White and Blue:
“Man, I have to listen to these guys talk [smack] almost every day,” said Brian Hidalgo (third from right above), of his friends. “I was born here, so this is my team.”
“I’m here to support the United States, but I didn’t forget my Mexican roots,” said Juan Rodriguez (second from right). “I was born here, and this country has given me a lot, so I want to give it my full support.”
