Los Angeles is home to one of the largest populations of Mexican origin outside Mexico, and it shows in the city’s World Cup spirit. Father-and-daughter soccer fans Jose Roman and Jacqueline Damian were among the many supporters in green Mexico shirts pouring into Los Angeles Stadium for a recent World Cup match.

Mexico Fans Unite

Even when Mexico isn’t playing, their fans are still out in force, with many attending games between other teams. At a recent Switzerland versus Bosnia and Herzegovina match, Mexico shirts rivalled Team USA colors at the 70,000-seat stadium. Some fans even wore U.S. hats, scarves, and other symbols to signal solidarity.

The city’s Mexican American community is determined to play host to all World Cup fans, with watch parties and other events bringing people together. At a Mexico watch party in Boyle Heights, a historically Latino neighborhood, Mexican fans mingled with dozens of Koreans and Korean Americans. Mexico fans waved small Korean flags, a nod to the 2018 World Cup, when South Korea’s win over Germany helped Mexico advance.

For many Mexican Americans, supporting Mexico is about pride in their community and heritage. “Mexico is football,” said Damian. “That’s why anytime you go to a soccer game in Los Angeles, you’ll always see someone repping Mexico.” The city’s strong Mexican American community is a key part of its identity, and the World Cup is a chance for them to come together and celebrate their culture.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.