USA-Mexico soccer match ends early after homophobic chants

LAS VEGAS — The U.S. men’s match against Mexico on Thursday night was called off by the referee after homophobic chants echoed through the stadium from Mexican soccer fans who have long denigrated the opposing team’s goalie.

Stakeholders have so far trying to trample The troublesome tradition of fines, stadium bans, and now early exits has run just as long.

In the 90th minute, with the USA leading by three points, the game was called off due to deafening noise at Allegiant Stadium. When the game resumed, 12 minutes of injury time was declared, but persistent chants allowed Salvadoran referee Iván Barton to end the match with an extra eight minutes.

A tough second half saw four players sent off and the USA won 3-0 for a spot in Sunday’s CONCACAF Nations League final against Canada.

Cristian Pulisic scored twice and Ricardo Pepi scored one, but the game will be remembered more for its ugliness.

“Regarding chants, the first thing I want to make clear is that, to our beliefs and culture, chants have no place in the game,” BJ Callahan said after his first game as interim U.S. coach. . It is positioned within our values. “

In January, FIFA fined Mexico 100,000 Swiss francs (about $108,000) for anti-gay chants by fans at two games. This came after sports governing bodies banned fans from attending two games in Mexico in 2021 after an outbreak of chants at an Olympic qualifier.

FIFA has also fined Mexico 60,000 Swiss francs ($65,000) in 2021 for Chant.

Americans Weston McKechnie and Serginho Dest, along with Mexicans Cesar Montez and Gerardo Arteaga, were sent off by Burton before the game was suspended.

This leaves McKennie and Dest suspended for the final against Canada.

“These are rivalry games. These are derby games. These things happen all over the world and I’m never ashamed of it,” Callahan said of the sending off. “It comes from a good place. They care about each other so much in the locker room that they stand up for each other. Do you sometimes have problems when you get a red card? Well, but If we know where it comes from, we can accept it and it will be a lesson for us.

When Callahan interim coached the game, news flowed Greg Verhalter has announced that he has agreed to return to coaching the US national team after being acquitted in a domestic violence investigation. The United States Soccer Federation announced Friday that Berhalter will coach the team through to the 2026 World Cup. He won’t take over until the CONCACAF Gold Cup is over.

America’s top player Pulisic said last week: USSF should consider Bring back Berhalter.

Luca de la Torre and Joe Scully could fill in for McKennie and Dest in the final.

“It’s definitely a blow,” Tim Ware said. “It comes with the game. I know a red card is definitely a disappointment, but it happens. It’s an aggressive game tonight.”

Striker Foralin Balogun made his debut after the 21-year-old decided to play for the United States instead of England and Nigeria.

“The players said it was going to be a hard game, but I am definitely still shocked by what happened,” said Balogun, who was forced onto the field for a time. “I was sitting on the floor in pain, but when I looked up I could see that there were so many people around me and my teammates were just trying to protect me.”

Pulisic made his first start for club or national team since 15 April. lead the United States At 37 minutes, doubled the lead in the 46th inning. He has scored 25 goals in 59 international appearances, including four against Mexico. Pepi scored in the 79th minute5 minutes after switching to Bologn.

The three-goal victory over Mexico for the first time in 23 years extended the United States’ unbeaten streak against El Tri to six (four wins, two draws), tying the United States’ longest streak between 2011 and 2015.

Gio Reyna kicked the ball from Montez, then kicked it forward from Jorge Sánchez while lying on his stomach, giving the USA the lead. Pulisic dove behind a defender, made two touches and channeled the ball from the edge of the six-yard box past goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa.

McKennie sent a long pass to Ware from the flank and Ware crossed to start the move for the second goal. A sprinting Pulisic circled behind Israel Reyes and Sánchez and poked the ball with his left foot from six yards.

Montez was given a bright red card Kicked Balogun for the 69th time while the two were challenging. McKennie was given a red card two minutes later for placing his hand on Sanchez’s neck during the ensuing altercation and confrontation.

Pepi received a pass from Dest, touched it and circumnavigated Ochoa to score his seventh international goal. Dest and Arteaga were sent off after shoving each other in the 86th minute.

“Both teams had moments that could have been handled better,” Callahan said.

Note: The blond-haired Reina made her first start for club or national team since 27 March, when Dest and goalkeeper Matt Turner last played in a game. … Canada defeated Panama 2-0 in the opening game with a 25th-minute goal from Jonathan David and a 69th-minute goal from Alphonso Davies.Mexico and Panama to play third place match