Santos Laguna usually is not thought of one of many giants of Mexican soccer, however their followers, just like the individuals of Torreon basically, appear to be all over the place.
An enormous contingent of them have been at Southwest College Park in Downtown El Paso on Saturday evening, July 5, to look at their workforce tackle FC Juárez, the nominal house workforce whose stadium was two miles from there, within the first Liga MX vs. Liga MX pleasant at Southwest College Park.
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Santos jerseys outnumbered Bravos jerseys by about two-to-one within the crowd of 4,000, the second time in a yr FC Juárez followers have been outnumbered in El Paso.
Final yr, their El Paso pleasant was within the Solar Bowl in opposition to Mexican giants and drew 29,500 followers.
Santos Laguna goalkeeper Héctor Holguín (33) blocks a shot, serving to safe their 5-3 win on penalty kicks in opposition to FC Juárez in a pleasant match at Southwest College Park on July 5, 2025.
The Santos majority left glad after this exhibition ended 0-0 after regulation, then was gained by Santos Laguna on penalty kicks, 5-3.
One of many many Santos followers was Joel Estrada of El Paso, who was in line greater than 90 minutes earlier than kickoff.
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“I used to be extraordinarily glad, that is my first time seeing (Santos Laguna) in particular person,” Estrada stated. “I am tremendous excited.”
A Santos Laguna waves his jersey throughout a pleasant match in opposition to FC Juárez at Southwest College Park on July 5, 2025.
He was one of many first individuals at Southwest College Park Saturday, although he did step out of line to run over to cheer the Santos workforce bus when it arrived on the close by service entrance, leaving his girlfriend Jasmine Sandoval to carry his spot.
Estrada was already proclaiming Sandoval the MVP after she shocked him with tickets to the sport. She was additionally in a Santos Laguna jersey. Her larger ardour is the U.S. model of soccer however she was all in along with her boyfriend.
“She’s superior, she’s superior,” Estrada stated. “I could not thank her sufficient.”
Each groups argue with the referre on the match between FC Juárez and Santon Laguna at Southwest College Park in El Paso, Texas on July 5, 2025.
‘I am enthusiastic about this season’
FC Juárez did have plenty of followers on the recreation, who spend a few of it making an attempt to shout down the frequent Santos chants.
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Fernando Valera, an El Pasoan who goes to video games in Juárez and was decked out in his Bravos gear, was excited to see his workforce in his city.
“I am very excited, it is nice,” the 17-year-old stated. “They’re coming from Juárez, they’re assembly us right here. It feels good having the neighbor metropolis right here.”
Santos Laguna’s Ramiro Sordo (26) runs into FC Juárez’s Denzell Garcia (5) on the match in opposition to FC Juárez at Southwest College Park in El Paso, Texas on July 5, 2025
Liz Ortega agreed.
“I do not recover from there to look at them so I am glad they came to visit right here,” stated Ortega, who final noticed the Bravos in particular person at their Solar Bowl pleasant with Americas final yr. “I am enthusiastic about this season.”
Followers like Ortega are a serious motive why FC Juárez got here right here within the first place.
A FC Juárez fan celebrates throughout a pleasant match in opposition to Santos Laguna at Southwest College Park on July 5, 2025.
“It is all the time thrilling when FC Juárez comes again to El Paso,” stated Joe Rodriguez, the soccer professional for 600 ESPN El Paso. “The soccer followers on this metropolis, who for no matter motive do not go to Juárez to test them out, that is their alternative to look at them.
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“That is the ultimate match earlier than the common season, so it will be an entertaining match, 90 minutes of soccer.”
The Bravos open their Apertura marketing campaign Friday at Membership America in Mexico Metropolis.
A Santos Laguna fan is dressed because the traditional Mexican luchador, El Santo, on the Southwest College Park for the pleasant soccer match between FC Juárez and Santos Laguna on July 5, 2025.
El Paso Locomotive common supervisor Andrew Forrest was glad for what this pleasant meant to El Paso.
“That is nice,” he stated. “To have two Liga MX groups in Southwest College Park, it is one thing we have by no means carried out earlier than. That is enjoyable for the followers and good for town.”
FC Juárez huddles up on the match in opposition to Santos Laguna at Southwest College Park in El Paso, Texas on July 5, 2025