In soccer-crazy Mexico, the players who make up the Under-17 national team are teen idols. Their popularity is like that of rock stars— it’s huge.
What makes these youngsters so special?
It goes back to 2005. That year, Mexico won the FIFA Under-17 World Championship, beating three-time winner Brazil. The triumph gave Mexico its first world title in soccer at any level. And the country went wild.
In preparation for next month’s World Cup in Nigeria, Mexico’s current U-17 squad will visit Santa Barbara on Tuesday and play against UCSB’s nationally ranked men’s soccer team. The international friendly match will kick off at 7 p.m. at Harder Stadium. Tickets are priced at $15 for adults and $8 for youth 12-under.
Game promoter Rudy Ybarra said Mexican fans hold a special place in their hearts for the U-17 team.
“This is one of the most loved teams in Mexico because of what happened in 2005,” he said. “That, and the fact that team had great players who we know now from playing with the senior Mexican national team.”
The 2005 world championship team included future stars such as Giovani Dos Santos and Carlos Vela, who both play in England’s Premier League — Dos Santos for Tottenham Hot Spurs and Vela for Arsenal. Several other members of that team are playing for clubs in Mexico’s First Division.
“These young players who played in 2005 are not only making an impact in the first division, but with the Mexican national senior team,” Ybarra said. “”Now which one of these young men who are coming to Santa Barbara are going to be part of that in the future?”
Mexican club teams didn’t wait long to tap into this new group of young talent — everyone on the U-17 squad is signed and on a first division team roster. In fact, one player holds the record for being the youngest to play in an official match for a first division team.
Martîn Galvan, a forward, was 14 when he took the field for Cruz Azul as a substitute in an InterLiga tournament match against Monterrey.
A native of Acapulco, Galvan, 16, was recognized by Mexican soccer great Jorge Campos as a future star, said Ybarra.
Galvan has scored eight goals for the U-17s, including a hat trick in the team’s win over Uruguay back in August.
Forward Kristian Alvarez, who plays for Chivas of Guadalajara, is another player to look out for, said Ybarra.
The Mexican team is coached by Jose Luis Gonzalez China, who was named to the job in February. Gonzalez China played nearly 20 years in the Mexican First Division. He retired with Atlante in 2005.
“He’s a young, up-and-coming coach,” said Ybarra.
He’ll be matching wits with UCSB’s Tim Vom Steeg, who said he’s planning to use half of his starters and several of his younger players in the exhibition match.
The teams will have six substitutions available in the match instead of the normal three allowed in international play.
Ybarra said the success of the U-17 program has created a surge of pride for Mexican fans.
He said the chant during the U-17’s victory celebration in Mexico City in 2005 was “Ponte la verde,” put on the green, a reference to the green jerseys worn by the Mexican teams.
In promoting the game on local Spanish language radio, Ybarra has been telling listeners to ponte la verde for the game.
“Mexican fans have always outnumbered U.S. fans whenever the national team has played here,” Ybarra noted. “(I’m telling listeners) make sure that happens at Harder Stadium. Don’t let the stadium be outnumbered blue over green.”
He said the atmosphere should be electric for the players.
“I think this game will be historical,” he said. “Let the Gaucho Locos throw their tortillas. The Mexican guys are going to say, ’I love that. I love tortillas.’”
Tuesday’s game is part of UCSB’s celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.
— Notes: At the World Cup, Mexico will play Japan, Switzerland and Brazil in first-round group play. The United States also qualified for the 24-team tournament. The Americans are in a group with United Arab Emirates, Malawi and Spain. The tournament runs Oct. 24 to Nov. 15.
The match will be UCSB’s third in five days. The Gauchos are returning from a road trip to Wisconsin, where they played Wisconsin-Milwaukee on Friday and the University of Wisconsin in Madison on Sunday. They’ll be back in action Friday at San Diego State before returning home for their Big West opener against UC Irvine on Sep. 27.
