Mexican soccer team fans react to their team winning the match against Cameroon as they watch it on the giant screen showing the match at the FIFA World Cup Fan Fest on Copacabana beach on June 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Mexico won the game 1-0 during the second day of the World Cup tournament. ; Credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Fans of the Mexican National Soccer Team took to the streets on Monday evening to celebrate Mexico’s 3-1 win over Croatia in the FIFA World Cup. The crowd lit fireworks and flew Mexican flags, displaying a sense of patriotism to their ethnic roots.
That wasn’t in Mexico, but rather, in Huntington Park here in Southern California. As the World Cup progresses, more and more fans are being forced to decide their loyalties. For some immigrants, the decision to root for their home team might be simple, but for those Americans with dual nationalities, the decision can get complicated.
If the U.S. is eliminated from the tournament after today’s match, what team will you root for? Do you find yourself rooting for another team other than the U.S. despite living here?
Guest:
Andrea Canales, a soccer writer in Los Angeles whose writing has appeared on ESPN.com, Sports Illustrated, and other publications. Her father is from Puerto Rico, her mom is from Nicaragua. Professionally, she follows the Mexican National Team, but her personal favorite is the Team USA. She has written about this divided allegiance in a piece for Foreign Policy.