Mexican National Soccer Team Relocates Ahead of Gold Cup
In light of safety issues stemming from ongoing protests related to immigration enforcement in Los Angeles, the Mexican national soccer team has opted to relocate their accommodations ahead of their Gold Cup opening match. The team is now set to depart from their originally planned hotel in downtown LA and head to a location in Long Beach.
The decision follows a recommendation from Concacaf, the confederation overseeing the tournament, which has not yet made an official statement regarding the hotel switch.
Upcoming Match Details
The Mexican team is scheduled to face the Dominican Republic at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood this Saturday. Spokesman Fernando Schwartz confirmed that the change was necessary to avoid potential confrontations amid demonstrators who erupted in protests after federal immigration agents detained over 40 individuals in the city last week.
Protests and Government Response
The protests intensified over the weekend, resulting in road blockages and significant unrest, which included incidents where crowds set driverless vehicles on fire. In response to the escalating situation, federal authorities, including President Donald Trump, have announced the deployment of additional National Guard troops and Marines to bolster local law enforcement efforts.
Coach’s Remarks
Coach Javier Aguirre, attending a press conference in Chapel Hill, North Carolina for a friendly match against Turkey, refrained from discussing the protests, focusing instead on his team’s preparation for their upcoming game.
“I’m not going to talk about Los Angeles… We’re here for sports,”
he stated when pressed on the matter.
Next Matches
After their opener against the Dominican Republic, Mexico will travel to Arlington, Texas, where they will meet Suriname, before concluding the initial round of the tournament with a match against Costa Rica in Las Vegas.
