Editor’s Note: The story about the soccer match appeared in the April/May print edition of the NWACC Eagle View. The video was published earlier on the Eagle View’s YouTube channel. As the US prepares to host the FIFA World Cup starting June 11, it seems appropriate to recall the enthusiasm evident in Northwest Arkansas for the March 28 “Golden Clash” event.
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.— Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium hosted its first international friendly soccer match in a “Golden Clash” with two major rivals of the Mexican league. The men and women’s Club America and Club Tigres were part of a doubleheader that faced off on March 28.
Club Tigres was established in 1960 and is a younger team compared to Club America. They have a total of 7 Liga MX Femenil titles for the women and 8 Liga MX titles for the men. They are based in San Nicolas de los Garza, Nuevo Leon and have a historic rivalry with C.F. Monterrey, a team also based in Nuevo Leon.
Club America is one of the oldest teams in the league, established in 1916. It has a total of 16 titles for the men’s — the most of any team — and a total of 2 Liga MX Femenil titles for the women. They are based in Mexico City and are a part of the “Big Four” in the Mexican soccer league.
As people were walking to the stadium, there was a sea of yellow and blue, the two main colors of both teams. There were many fans featuring team merchandise, flags, horns, drums and more. The atmosphere was full of energy as fans gathered at the first gate ready to see their favorite teams.
Some fans had already been to a game, so the atmosphere wasn’t new for them. When asked about his reaction to the announcement that these teams were going to be playing in Northwest Arkansas, Club America fan Mauricio Maciel said, “I was super excited because we don’t really have the opportunity to see futbol of this caliber.”
Ruben Sanchez, who also attended the game, commented, “Well, it’s good, right? Because normally they always do it [the game] in Texas and other places that aren’t here.”
As the gates opened and fans made their way to their seats, the women’s teams started coming out and warming up. Spectator Sofia Cruz said, “This is actually my first one [game] so exciting.” Zamaro Mofford, who was sitting in the Club America section said, “…I don’t really follow it [Mexican league]. I follow more bigger leagues but it’s good to come and see the atmosphere and everything.”
The match started at 2 p.m. where the first goal was made by Club America’s Sarah Luebbert at the 4’ mark. Fans cheered and booed as Club Tigres tried to tie up the game, and the tie came at the 18’ mark with a goal by Jheniffer Cordinali with an assist by Dilary Heredia-Beltrán. However, at minute 22 Club America was given a penalty kick that was scored by Nancy Antonio, making the final goal count 2-1.
As the women’s match came to an end, the men began lining up at the entrance to the field, determined to keep the energy going. As the male teams began warming up, more fans started arriving carrying their team flags.
During the first half, neither team ended up scoring and it wasn’t until the 57’ mark that Club America’s Raúl Zuñiga scored the first goal of the match. Twenty minutes later at the 77’ mark Club Tigres scored but it ended up being an offside goal. However, 6 minutes later at the 83’ Club Tigres officially tied up the game with a goal by Juan Francisco Brunetta.
At the 88’ mark, Club America scored a controversial goal that ended up being taken away by a call from the referee. This goal caused many Club America fans in the stands to boo. Despite the game being a friendly match, Club America players pushed back on the decision made by the referee. This caused the players to start pushing each other at the end of the game, giving spectators a glimpse at this heated rivalry.
