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Good morning, San Diego ☀️

Here’s what we have for you today:

Tessa Balc

Audience engagement producer

Top story

After a 2-0 victory over Ecuador, Mexico, filled with pure hope, charges into Round of 16 in the World Cup

As I drove home from Times of San Diego’s office yesterday, cutting through North Park, it was everywhere. Spilling out of every bar with a television on the right channel: a sea of green jerseys.

Sure, the Fourth of July is this week, but make no mistake: San Diego is a border city. In World Cup season that means many rep Mexico. And this team isn’t just for fans of fútbol— it’s also for those who like a good soccer saga.

So why was there so much hype around last night’s game?

Well, the drama before the game even started is enough to captivate peripheral fans. There was a tiff between the teams and their fans before kickoff. Much of it took place online — as many things do today — but it’s notable that in response to Ecuador’s coach suggesting sanctions on Mexico’s fans for bad behavior, there was a mass of musicians outside team Ecuador’s hotel playing music throughout the night.

But this game was also big for the stakes. Now that Mexico has won, the team is one of the remaining 16 teams. For fans, that means one step closer to winning it all.

Our very own Alejandro Maciel has the lowdown of fanáticos’ reaction in Tijuana. Fans traveled north and south to be where the action was, some from Orange County, others from Sonora. They saw they victory they had hoped for.

“Next stop, the championship!” shouted a fan who had driven down from Irvine to experience the match on Mexican soil.

It’s safe to say Mexico didn’t sleep last night.

And, remember: Team USA plays tonight.

READ MORE →

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What else we’re reading

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Mid-Week News Quiz

Have you kept up with Times of San Diego this week? Let’s see!

⚾️ Which Padres player hosted a baseball camp for kids at Cliffridge Park in La Jolla?

A) Fernando Tatís Jr.
B) Jackson Merrill
C) Manny Machado
D) Mason Miller

Reply first with the correct answer to earn a shoutout in tomorrow’s newsletter.