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A PURE SPACE TO BE MEXICAN: ETHNIC MEXICANS AND THE MEXICO-U.S. SOCCER RIVALRY, 1990-2002

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Date Issued:
2008
Abstract/Description:
This thesis examines the soccer rivalry between Mexico and the United States that has been evolving since the early 1990s. Neither Mexico nor the United States are soccer powerhouse nations, yet their rivalry is arguably one of the most passionate contests in the world. For the Mexican National team the rivalry has become a struggle to maintain dominance and power in one of the few arenas where Mexico traditionally has had an advantage. The ability of the United States to challenge Mexican hegemony has intensified the rivalry. Although the United States has been able to score some victories inside the field, acceptance in their home venues has been elusive. When playing against Mexico, even as the host team, the United States is consistently treated as the visiting team by the ethnic Mexicans living in the United States who compose the majority of the spectators. The rivalry has increased as a result of ethnic Mexicans' overt preference for the Mexican National team. In the U.S. public sphere, ethnic Mexicans have been segregated, discriminated against, economically marginalized and considered invisible. Outside of the stadium, ethnic Mexicans in general have been sidelined by U.S. society. Inside the stadium, they have made their presence known and have become highly visible. By chanting for the Mexican team, wearing the colors of El Tri, and carrying the Mexican flag, the fans have asserted their identity and heritage.
Title: A PURE SPACE TO BE MEXICAN: ETHNIC MEXICANS AND THE MEXICO-U.S. SOCCER RIVALRY, 1990-2002 .
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Name(s): Rodriguez, Paola, Author
Garcia, Guadalupe, Committee Chair
University of Central Florida, Degree Grantor
Type of Resource: text
Date Issued: 2008
Publisher: University of Central Florida
Language(s): English
Abstract/Description: This thesis examines the soccer rivalry between Mexico and the United States that has been evolving since the early 1990s. Neither Mexico nor the United States are soccer powerhouse nations, yet their rivalry is arguably one of the most passionate contests in the world. For the Mexican National team the rivalry has become a struggle to maintain dominance and power in one of the few arenas where Mexico traditionally has had an advantage. The ability of the United States to challenge Mexican hegemony has intensified the rivalry. Although the United States has been able to score some victories inside the field, acceptance in their home venues has been elusive. When playing against Mexico, even as the host team, the United States is consistently treated as the visiting team by the ethnic Mexicans living in the United States who compose the majority of the spectators. The rivalry has increased as a result of ethnic Mexicans' overt preference for the Mexican National team. In the U.S. public sphere, ethnic Mexicans have been segregated, discriminated against, economically marginalized and considered invisible. Outside of the stadium, ethnic Mexicans in general have been sidelined by U.S. society. Inside the stadium, they have made their presence known and have become highly visible. By chanting for the Mexican team, wearing the colors of El Tri, and carrying the Mexican flag, the fans have asserted their identity and heritage.
Identifier: CFE0002048 (IID), ucf:47567 (fedora)
Note(s): 2008-05-01
M.A.
Arts and Humanities, Department of History
Masters
This record was generated from author submitted information.
Subject(s): History
Soccer
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002048
Restrictions on Access: public
Host Institution: UCF

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