Los Angeles has been a swirling sea of green Mexico jerseys this World Cup. From the watch parties dotting the sprawling city, to bars, cafes and barber shops blaring matches, to the thousands of fans streaming into Los Angeles Stadium.
The fact that Mexico has not actually played a match in Los Angeles this tournament has done little to deter fans from proudly displaying their colors, regardless of who’s on the pitch.
"After Mexico City, Los Angeles is the second largest Mexican city in the world," Gary, who was born in Mexico and moved to Southern California as a child, told DW. "Soccer is definitely inculcated in the culture here, and you can feel it," he went on.
More than three million Mexicans and Mexican-Americans live in the Los Angeles area. Mexico's exuberant passion for the game lives with LA's Mexican diaspora, and soccer serves as connection to both home and shared history in the community.
Passing down passion
