Football fans were left disappointed after the United States men’s soccer team’s match against Mexico was cut short on Thursday night due to repeated homophobic chants from the crowd. The game was intended to decide which team would advance to the CONCACAF Nations League final against Canada on Sunday, but instead, it was remembered for all the wrong reasons.
Although the United States won the game 3-0, the match was halted in the 90th minute due to the homophobic chants. Despite resuming play, the match was ended early by Salvadoran referee Iván Barton in the eighth added minute due to further homophobic chants.
In total, four players were ejected from the game, including Americans Weston McKennie and Sergiño Dest, along with Mexicans César Montes and Gerardo Arteaga, during the heated second half. The ejections were met with mixed responses from fans, with some arguing that it was a necessary response to the inappropriate behavior of the players.
The match was not the first instance of homophobic chanting from fans, with FIFA having fined Mexico 100,000 Swiss francs ($108,000) in January for similar anti-gay chants by fans at two games. The constant recurrence of such behavior in soccer matches highlights the ongoing issue of discrimination and bigotry in sports.
B.J. Callaghan, the U.S. interim coach, condemned the behavior of the fans, stating that “for our beliefs and our culture, it has no place in the game. It has no place in our value system.” However, he also acknowledged that these rival games can get heated, and ejections can happen as a result of players standing up for each other.
In a bizarre twist to the match, news broke that Gregg Berhalter had agreed to return as the U.S. national team coach after being cleared in a domestic violence investigation. The U.S. Soccer Federation has since announced that Berhalter agreed to coach the team through the 2026 World Cup, but he will not take over until after the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Despite the disappointing end to the match, there were some standout performances from the players. Christian Pulisic scored two goals, and Ricardo Pepi scored one, securing the U.S. team’s spot in the CONCACAF Nations League final against Canada. However, the game will forever be remembered for the fans’ inappropriate behavior rather than the team’s achievements.
The incident serves as a reminder that discrimination and bigotry have no place in sports, and it is up to everyone involved in the game to work towards creating a safe and inclusive environment for all. It’s time to put an end to these chants and focus on what truly matters: the beautiful game.
In conclusion, the US-Mexico soccer match in Las Vegas ended in disappointment due to the inappropriate behavior of the fans. The incident highlights the ongoing issue of discrimination and bigotry in sports and serves as a reminder that there is still much work to be done to create a safe and inclusive environment for all.
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