New York City’s Network of Seismic Monitoring did not file an alert when Hirvino Lozano scored for Mexico in their monumental triumph over Germany on Match Day One of the World Cup, but Mexican communities responded with unbridled enthusiasm in the streets to celebrate a signature moment for their country.
“There were lots of trumpets, people yelling out ‘Mexico’, driving by and honking,” Harry Flores said. “It was a good feeling.”
In Mexico City, officials said an “artificial earthquake” erupted from “massive jumping” in the 35th minute of the match – Lozano’s heroic moment.
Flores is a Mexican-American who works at his parent’s soccer supply store, EuroMex Soccer, on 116th Street in East Harlem – an area known as Spanish Harlem or “El Barrio” since the 1940s, when immigrants from Puerto Rico settled in the neighborhood. In the 1990s, an influx of Mexican immigrants began moving into the space now known as Manhattan’s “Little Mexico.”
Flores was watching the match on a television in the store with his father and sister when a customer called at the moment Lozano became a national hero.
“At that moment, Chucky Lozano scores a goal and I had a client on the line and I yelled out with my whole heart, Goal! Goal!,” Flores said. “I couldn’t remember what he was asking for because everyone was screaming in the store – I just told him maybe he should call back another day.”
Across the street, Angel Grande owns the cozy Nocciola Ristorante where 50 patrons and friends took part in the carnival atmosphere.
“Everybody was celebrating and waiting for that moment for the game to end,” Grande said. “A lot of things can happen just a minute before the game ends. Everyone was singing “Cielito Lindo,” our traditional song for games. We got the win!”
“It was very surprising – I was not expecting to win,” Flores said. “I was hoping for a draw but Mexico really played with their heart.”
The 19-year old Flores is familiar with the curse of the fifth game, a familiar reprise of supporters. Flores’ first memory is the 2010 World Cup when El Tri was eliminated in the Round of 16 by Argentina. The Tri Colors have been eliminated in six consecutive World Cups at the fourth round stage. They have advanced to the elusive fifth round only once – as hosts in 1986.
“I really love the team and now that we’ve beaten Germany, we have momentum,” Flores said. “They have confidence now to take on any other big team.”
An eventual confrontation with five-time World Cup winners Brazil is possible for the team guided by a Colombian, Juan Carlos Osorio, who has been the victim of consistent criticism from Mexican supporters and the media.
“Lots of people don’t really trust the tactics that the coach makes most of the time because he makes a lot of changes,” Flores said. “And a lot of fans don’t really like that and they were really doubtful of him. Sunday he proved that he was a great coach leading Mexico to victory.”
“People in Mexico – if you’re not Mexican, they won’t treat you as well,” Grande said.
Although snapping Germany’s streak of opening-game triumphs in seven straight World Cups has served to enhance the image of Osorio.
“You can see it in social media,” Flores said. “They want him for President now.”
The other social media posts that added a geo-political touch were memes created for El Tri’s goalkeeper, Guillermo Ochoa. He was a wall with nine saves against the defending World Cup champions.
The only wall mexico is building #Ochoa pic.twitter.com/zoRPqNbvrB
— Caldera, Juan (@txsrt8) June 17, 2018
“Of course I saw them,” Flores said. “He’s a wall – the wall that Trump wants.”