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Mexico fans sit, boo U.S. national anthem, chant homophobic slur at U.S. goalie

Mexico fans sit, boo U.S. national anthem, chant homophobic slur at U.S. goalie

Let's just say Mexico's fans at Estadio Azteca didn't exactly roll out the welcome mat for the U.S. Men's National Team.

First, before Sunday night's World Cup qualifying match in Mexico City, the home fans booed loudly when "The Star-Spangled Banner" was played, and most refused to stand during the U.S. national anthem, USA Today reported.

Then once the match started, USMNT goalkeeper Brad Guzan was taunted — sadly, in a bit of a tradition at Estadio Azteca — with the homophobic slur "puto," which roughly translated means "gay prostitute," according to USA Today.

How much of a tradition is the chant? It was heard during last season's Texans-Raiders NFL game in Mexico City.

Perhaps in part because Mexico has been fined at least eight times because of its fans' behavior, including over a similar incident earlier this year, the country's soccer federation pleaded with the crowd before the game, via electronic message boards in the stadium: “Chanting ‘puto’ does not make you more Mexican. Help us to avoid sanctions. Join us.”


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The request went unheeded during the eventual 1-1 tie.

Afterward, U.S. coach Bruce Arena focused on his team, not the atmosphere: "We played 90 minutes to win, not 90 minutes to not lose. ... Both teams had a lot of challenges."