Over 30,000 fans fill Snapdragon Stadium for Mexico vs. Cameroon game
Credit: Jeremy Collins/EVT Sports
This Saturday, June 10, Mexico played Cameroon at Snapdragon Stadium for an international friendly match. An electric atmosphere was expected at the Mission Valley fortress and it delivered on Saturday night with a crowd of 30,543.
The game itself was very exciting, as Cameroon struck with the first goal of the night in the 37th minute from Bryan Mbeumo. Before the end of the first half, Israel Reyes tied it up for Mexico in stoppage time, as Mexico fans roared in the stands with national and cultural pride.
History repeated itself in the second half as Karl Toko Ekambi scored for Cameroon in the 61st minute, and then in stoppage time Kevin Alvarez netted the dramatic late-equalizer with seconds to spare until the final whistle. Mexico’s faithful celebrated non-stop after the goal, throwing beverages in the air and chanting way beyond the final whistle of the match.
Mexico defender Gilberto Sepulveda told EVT about the fan support received at Snapdragon Stadium for the friendly match. “I’m happy with the people. They always get into it and support us until the final moments. The goal came in the final moments of the game, so we are very happy with the people that supported us in this stadium. We are grateful for them and I believe this is good for us”, Sepulveda said.
Sepulveda also mentioned that the state of the field was not the best and described it as “rough”, which was noticeable from the stands. However, the game itself did not seem to suffer from this, as the level of play was very exciting on the night.
Cameroon did receive some support in the stands as well, there were several Cameroon flags seen throughout Snapdragon Stadium. Mexico was the great majority in the stands, but the Cameroon fans contributed to the atmosphere as well, many of them interacting with Mexico fans.
Cameroon and Swansea City midfielder Olivier Ntcham on the atmosphere at Snapdragon Stadium for the Mexico vs. Cameroon match.@EVT_News pic.twitter.com/1BZVsBjKkQ
— Francisco Velasco (@FranciscoEfV) June 11, 2023
Cameroon and Swansea City midfielder Olivier Ntcham talked to EVT about Snapdragon Stadium and the atmosphere lived on Saturday night. Ntcham said, “The facility was very nice today. It was a really good crowd also. It was the first time I play against Mexico and I think it was a really good friendly game. The Atmosphere was really nice. The Mexican people they are really friendly and I love it.”
The Mexico vs. Cameroon game was another major win for San Diego soccer and for Snapdragon Stadium. The atmosphere might have been the best it has ever been at the Mission Valley fortress, or at least it was definitely the loudest it has ever been.
With the MLS team coming to Snapdragon Stadium in 2025 there will continue to be more high-profile events at the stadium including friendly games between Manchester United and Wrexham, and San Diego Loyal and Borussia Dortmund.
Francisco, 26, Chula Vista/Tijuana. I have been a Padres fan all my life, did most of the series previews and recaps in the Padres’ 2016 season for EVT. Now I focus more on the local soccer scene. Tijuana Xolos, San Diego Loyal, San Diego Wave.