🇲🇽 The ultimate Mexican soccer adventure

¡Ven conmigo!

Whenever I land in Mexico City, I stare out the window and look at how the city goes on and on and on. I look for the old Estadio Azul and the Plaza de Toros next to it, for the “BEARS” gridiron in the end zone of the field at the American school, for the green ‘lungs’ of the Bosque de Chapultepec. I search for the familiar in a place so expansive I know I’ll never truly be able to wrap my mind or my arms around it

Plaza Mexico and the Estadio Azul seen on this afternoon’s descent

.I’m landing in Mexico City now, embarking upon the ultimate Mexican soccer adventure. Why don’t you come along with me for the ride?

The workbook I used in Spanish 1 - with a few small modifications.

I’m traveling with a few dear friends I made through the sport. For some time, we’d wanted to replicate what Dallas-based soccer analyst Steve Davis does every year: Get some pals together, go to Europe and go see some games. Latin America is more my speed, though, so what started with taking advantage of a weekend to see Mexico’s biggest rivalry contest has turned into what should be a rollicking trip:

Five games in five days

It happens. One game in Mexico City turns into two. Then you think, hey, why not check out the Estadio Cuauhtémoc, in Puebla, a city I’ve visited but where I’ve never seen a game.

As a couple matches were rescheduled for fixture congestion or other reasons, we quickly realized our calendar would be delightfully crowded.

So, as I always do in this newsletter, I’ll bring you coverage of what’s happening on the field. Whether you’re a Liga MX die-hard, an American interested in what Alejandro Zendejas or Jozy Altidore are up to, a fan of the world game wondering how Dani Alves ended up at Pumas or just a Concacaf sicko getting ready for CCL, my pieces each morning will take you through what’s important from each game as the Liguilla draws closer and closer.

But this also is about taking you behind the scenes of a culture that is not my own but which I know well. I’ve been traveling to Mexico City on reporting trips since 2015 when I took over the El Tri and Liga MX beat and Goal - though it did take me eight years to try the Estadio Azteca ramen.

Jon Arnold @ArnoldcommaJon

After years of hearing me mention that vendors sell it at the Azteca, my wife went for the Maruchan. $2.50 USD @FootyScran

I’ll take you to a few of my favorite spots - some on the tourist track in the central neighborhoods of Roma Norte and others more off the map. You know there will be plenty of coffee shops visits to Get CONCACAFfeinated, top tacos and maybe a few bars along the way.

Oh, and it’s actually going to be Independence Day (though I know you, the erudite Getting CONCACAFed reader already knows it’s not 5 de Mayo), so I’ll report back on how those celebrations are observed in-person for the first time since the pandemic.

And the premium newsletter is more than just travel and taco pics. Each week, I take subscribers around the Concacaf region with the Conca-catch-up, write about the most interesting story surrounding El Tri or Liga MX and send bonus editions to subscribers during each international window - ultimately getting the price under a buck an edition. We don’t coffee shame around here, so keep the lattes in your budget, but see if you can find a place to support storytelling from Mexico and around the region in English.

It’s a great time to subscribe. I hope you’ll join me on the adventure.