BTN News: The Mexican national soccer team, known as “El Tri,” is facing a growing challenge: empty stadium seats during their U.S. matches. Recently, El Tri played against Canada at the AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas, and managed to attract only 32,623 fans — less than half the venue’s capacity. Just days earlier, another match against New Zealand at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena drew a meager crowd of 23,000, a mere fraction of the stadium’s 85,000-seat capacity. With these disappointing turnouts, questions arise about why the once-popular team is struggling to draw crowds. New head coach Javier Aguirre, known as “El Vasco,” offers his insights, pointing to fan disengagement and the need for better on-field performance as potential reasons for the dwindling attendance.
Low Attendance at U.S. Matches Raises Questions
For the second time in a week, the Mexican national team has played to nearly empty stadiums in the United States. The match against Canada at the AT&T Stadium in Dallas, a venue that holds 70,000 spectators, saw fewer than 33,000 fans in attendance — less than 50% capacity. Similarly, the game against New Zealand at Pasadena’s Rose Bowl, with its vast capacity of 85,000, attracted only 23,000 spectators, marking another significant drop in turnout.
Factors Behind Low Stadium Turnouts
Difficulty Filling Large Venues
Javier Aguirre, El Tri’s new head coach, believes there are multiple factors behind the underwhelming attendance numbers. “It’s not easy to fill a stadium like AT&T,” Aguirre commented. He pointed out that even other high-profile matches, such as the recent U.S. vs. Canada game, also struggled with low attendance, indicating that this might be a broader trend rather than an issue isolated to El Tri.
Fan Disconnection and Team Performance
Aguirre also suggests a deeper problem — a “small divorce” between the fans and the team. “When people see their team playing better, more committed, and they start feeling proud of them again, they’ll come back,” he noted. According to Aguirre, the key to winning back the crowd lies in improving the team’s on-field performance, fighting spirit, and overall commitment to the game. He emphasized the need for El Tri to offer a more compelling and emotionally engaging experience for fans.
Lower Ticket Prices Fail to Draw Crowds
Interestingly, ticket prices for these recent matches were among the lowest in years, starting at $70 and dropping further as the game approached. Yet, even these discounted rates couldn’t fill the seats, suggesting that cost alone isn’t the only factor keeping fans away. The fans’ reluctance to attend may reflect broader dissatisfaction with the team’s recent performances and lack of progress.
Disappointing Results and On-Field Struggles
The latest games have not helped matters. El Tri’s match against Canada, described as “cautious” by many observers, saw Mexico creating only a few scoring opportunities — three shots on goal out of ten attempts, to be precise. The lack of creativity and effective execution on the field has been a recurring issue that has left fans disappointed and hesitant to attend future matches.
Javier Aguirre’s Plan to Reconnect with Fans
Aguirre remains optimistic about the future, suggesting that as the team’s performance improves, the fans will return. “The message is clear: we need to give people what they want — a team that fights, that doesn’t give up,” he emphasized. He also acknowledged the challenging conditions the team faced — limited practice time, game rhythm, and weather conditions — but remains focused on addressing tactical shortcomings and enhancing the team’s overall play.
The Road Ahead: Winning Back the Crowds
To turn things around, Aguirre’s plan involves improving not only the tactics and team cohesion but also the emotional connection between the players and the fans. The strategy is to create a team that fans are eager to support, one that embodies the values of hard work, commitment, and resilience. “The fans who came shouldn’t go home sad, regardless of the result,” he stated, underlining the importance of delivering a memorable experience beyond just winning games.
Key Takeaways: Can El Tri Win Back Their Fans?
While the attendance figures paint a bleak picture, the solution may lie in a combination of better on-field performances, greater emotional engagement, and renewed pride in the national team. With new leadership under Javier Aguirre, there is hope that the fans will once again feel a sense of belonging and excitement when cheering for El Tri. For now, the challenge remains to rebuild trust and enthusiasm among a fan base that has grown weary of lackluster performances.
Conclusion: Reconnecting with the Fans
The Mexican national team faces a significant challenge in winning back their fans and filling stadiums once again. As head coach Javier Aguirre acknowledges, much depends on the team’s ability to improve their play and reconnect emotionally with supporters. Only time will tell if this strategy will prove effective, but the team and its leadership remain committed to bringing pride and passion back to Mexican soccer.
