The crowd in this packed local Santa Ana Bistro is on its feet. Some wave Mexican flags. Others sing through the disappointment. Soon the room breaks into Cielito Lindo - Canta y no llores... sing, don't cry.
"This is sad," Louie Leyla tells me. The Mexican-American has lived in California since 1990. "But we're going to keep rooting for our people, no matter what."
England may have ended Mexico's World Cup, beating them 3-2 in the Azteca Stadium. But here, it does not feel like the end of the story.
For this football-loving community on the west coast of the United States, the tournament has been a triumph. Mexico exceeded expectations, united supporters across Southern California and, for weeks, gave fans something to celebrate.
"It's a loss," Alicia Rojas tells me. "But it's a win for our community in Santa Ana."
"This is sad," Louie Leyla tells me. The Mexican-American has lived in California since 1990. "But we're going to keep rooting for our people, no matter what."
England may have ended Mexico's World Cup, beating them 3-2 in the Azteca Stadium. But here, it does not feel like the end of the story.
For this football-loving community on the west coast of the United States, the tournament has been a triumph. Mexico exceeded expectations, united supporters across Southern California and, for weeks, gave fans something to celebrate.
"It's a loss," Alicia Rojas tells me. "But it's a win for our community in Santa Ana."
4 months ago
