A classic but friendly game between Chivas and America soccer legends

To kick off Hispanic Heritage month, the city of Whittier held one of the most anticipated soccer matches on Sunday, September 14th, just a few days before Mexico’s Independence Day. 

The Grito de Leyendas game was one of the community's most anticipated matches, showcasing a classic rivalry between two of the most iconic teams, Club America vs Club Guadalajara “Chivas”. 

In honor of representing the club they used to play for, soccer legends from Chivas and America returned one more time to the pitch. Representing Chivas were Ramón Ramírez, Marco Fabián, Carlos Salcido, Miguel Ponce, Joel Sánchez, Héctor Reynoso, Jonny Magallón and several others. Representing America were Matías Vuoso, Reinaldo Navia, Jesús Molina, Maza Rodríguez, Aquivaldo Mosquera, Aarón “Gansito” Padilla and others.

While the match was the primary focus of the event, it provided fans with a family-friendly festival which consisted of games, food and drinks, VIP autograph signing, live music and other activities. 

Three days prior to the match, soccer legend Marco Fabian, who played for the Chivas in 2007, attended a press conference in the city of Downey with former player Miguel Ponce, who also played for the Chivas in 2010. Fabian and Ponce have a history of playing together on multiple occasions, such as the Mexican national team in the 2012 Olympics, the 2014 World Cup and over a decade with Club Chivas.

According to Fabian and Ponce, Sunday’s game was going to be a special match for Chivas and America fans as they would be able to not only share their love and passion for the sport, but also to the soccer legends who they once rooted for on the stands or in their homes. 

“[Estamos] contentos y emocionados de poder pisar las [cancha] una vez más y poder reencontrarnos con estas leyendas de parte de Chivas y también a las otras de América.. Nos tocó vivir grandes clásicos y poder ahora estar de este lado con toda la gente de Los Ángeles, [me pone] muy contento,” said Ponce. (“[We are] happy and excited to be able to step on the [field] once again and to be able to meet up with these legends from Chivas and also the others from America... We had the chance to experience great classics and now being able to be on this side, with all the people of Los Angeles, [makes me] very happy,” said Ponce.)

“Si de igual manera como dice Miguel, primero será un honor compartir de nuevo la cancha con grandes compañeros y amigos de los cuales compartimos muchos momentos importantes, vistiendo la camiseta de Chivas,” added Fabian. (“Just like Miguel says, first of all it will be an honor to share the field again with great teammates and friends with whom we shared many important moments, wearing the Chivas jersey,” added Fabian.)

As the bleachers filled up with fans from both teams, Chivas supporters dominated the scene, with approximately 70 percent of the crowd dressed in red and white striped jerseys. 

Steven Juarez, who attended his first Chivas vs America game with his father-in-law, was ecstatic to see a few of the soccer players he grew up watching.

“I grew up a Chivas fan because my mom [is] from Guadalajara and so that’s how I started watching the Chivas,” said Juarez. “It feels great [attending the Leyendas soccer match] because I grew up watching all of these players and it’s actually my first time seeing professional players [in person].

Despite having only a fair amount of fans in the bleachers, America wasted no time in proving why they remain one of the top soccer clubs, being the first to take the lead 1-0 in the first half. But America’s celebration only lasted a few minutes as Chivas scored their first goal 1-1. The crowd's chants were loud and magnetic as both teams were tied going into the second half of the match.

While fans waited for the second half of the match to start, Mexico’s famous Cielito Lindo track started playing. Fans were also able to participate in games on the pitch which consisted of the three selected fans, getting on top of an inflatable horse and racing each other to a short finish line. 

Jabes Pascual, a neutral fan, has always loved soccer and the deep connections it builds within people who share the same passion and devotion.

“Growing up, I would sit and watch el super Clásico Nacional between club América and Chivas of Guadalajara. Watching Marco Fabian, Francisco Maza Rodriguez and countless others on the pitch made it more special,” said Pascual. “The hunger to win from both sides, regardless of their own position in the standings, was nice to see in person. These teams brought competitiveness to the pitch for 90’ minutes, making fans feel good about themselves.”

“[I would like to see more of these friendly soccer matches because] these types of events not only bring the community together, but they [also] embrace cultures and traditions. Soccer unites [all ages] from children to adults and it’s a passion we carry with us,” added Pascual.

During the second half, midfielder Jesus Molina, scored America's second goal 2-1, staying ahead of Chivas one more time. To end the match, Fabian scored the last goal 2-2, tying both teams once again.

Maite Leal has been a Chivas fan for several years and continues to support the team that evokes the love and passion for soccer. Leal lives around three hours away from Los Angeles but was adamant about driving to the city of Whittier to witness a few of her favorite Chivas legends play one more time.

“Me siento muy emocionada porque no soy Americanista, soy Chivista de corazón pero admiro mucho a la América porque hemos tenido los mejores partidos. Las mejores experiencias que nos han dado las Chivas es ganándole a la América. Sin las Chivas no hubiera la América y sin la América no hubiera las Chivas,” said Leal. “Por eso me encanta seguirlos a donde [sea], especialmente aquí en California. Voy hasta la Ciudad de México y a Guadalajara a ver a las Chivas. Soy Chivista y los llevo en la sangre! ¡Es tan bonito el fútbol que no hay como verlo en persona! Estar en un estadio se siente diferente, la pasión, la gente, es algo increíble que no puedo describirlo con palabras.” (“I feel very excited because I'm not an Americanista, I'm a Chivista at heart, but I really admire América because we've had the best games. The best experience Chivas has given us is beating América. Without the Chivas, there wouldn't be América and without América, there wouldn't be the Chivas,” Leal said. “That's why I love following them everywhere, especially here in California. I go to Mexico City and Guadalajara to see the Chivas. I'm a Chivista and they're in my blood! Soccer is so beautiful, there's nothing like seeing it in person! Being in a stadium feels different; the passion, the people—it's something incredible that I can't describe with words.”)