Roughly a couple hundred fans packed into a northwest side sports bar to cheer on Mexico against Brazil in the round of 16 of the World Cup on Monday.
Ojos Locos, which normally opens at 11 a.m. on weekdays, opened at 7 a.m. in preparation for the 9 a.m. kickoff.
The indoor bar was standing-room only and so fans gathered in an outdoor tent to watch on a giant big screen.
Mexico’s nickname “El Tri” is derived from its three colors. And most of the fans in attendance were dressed in Mexico red, white and green.
Some fans wore Mexican wrestling masks and many said they took a day off work because they were so excited about the game.
Monica Elizondo, like many of the fans, grew up in Mexico, but now lives and works in San Antonio.
“I was born in Mexico, so I have to go for it. It’s my team,” she said. “I’m 43, so I guess it’s in the blood.”
Elizondo was asked how many early morning beers she planned to consume.
“Hard to tell. We have to be like all the way, but probably just one or two. Have to go to work,” she said.
Not all the fans were born in Mexico, many were second generation Mexican-Americans, raised in San Antonio to root for the team.
In the end, top-seeded Brazil knocked out out Mexico, 2-0. It was the seventh time in a row for Mexico was eliminated in the round of 16.
Brian Kirkpatrick can be reached at tpr.org