And to think, this whole 
rivalry started over some
flour and cheese.

German Villa

Last night, El Salvador played Mexico's Club America in a "friendly" 
match at San Jose's Spartan Stadium. As Club America cruised to a 2-0 
over la seleccion de El Salvador, the overall game 
was marred by plenty of hostility both on and off the 
field. In the game, four players were ejected and 
America's Frankie Oveido was rushed to the 
hospital with a head injury. Oviedo was shoved out 
of bounds by El Salvador forward Rudis Corrales, 
and was about to crash into the Salvadoran bench, 
but the players moved, allowing Oviedo to crash 
into the wall. While Oveido was being taken away in 
a stretcher, the teams engaged in a scuffle at midfield 
and red cards were handed out to two Club America players not in the 
game at the time, German Villa and Adrian Garcia Arias. 

Meanwhile, in the stands several fights erupted throughout the match 
not only simultaneous to the fight on the field, but also after goals 
were scored. Earthquakes general manager, Johnny Moore, who assisted 
the event's promoters, did not "think we have serious trouble (at these 
games).'' He further added that in the future fans will be allowed to sit 
wherever they want within the zone they purchase tickets for, allowing 
them to sit nearer to those with similar allegiances. 

While it is a well-known fact that there is a lot of bad blood between 
Salvadorenos and Mexicanos in the Los Angeles area, it seems as though 
they cannot get along in the Bay as well. It is unfortunate that in what was
supposed to be an exhibition and a treat for 
fans of both squads, resulted in such blatant 
negativity, taking away from the entire purpose 
of the event. It comes to the point where you 
do not feel entirely safe bringing your family to 
these "friendly" games anymore. Alcohol most 
definitely contributed to the violence found in 
the stands of this game, but most probably 
                                           only served as a catalyst to the preexisting 
                                           bad blood between the two communities. 
                                           Where does this bad blood come from you 
may ask? There are many theories, with the most popular being that it 
stems back from jealousy on the part of Mexicans who wish they would 
have thought of the billion dollar pupusa industry first. Yet, whatever the 
case may be a rivalry exists and we look forward to a rematch between 
these two sides in the near future. Let's just hope they keep it clean next 
time and allow the final score to do the talking.




- May 8, 2003

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