Mexican soccer a semi- success

Spencer Patterson

Monday, July 15, 2002 | 9:44 a.m.

Temperatures near 110 degrees and a live TV broadcast probably conspired to cut attendance in half, but they couldn't keep devoted fans of Mexican soccer away from Sam Boyd Stadium on Sunday.

Just over 4,300 people showed up for the second Copa Coors Light exhibition, the 2002 version of a showdown between Chivas and Atlas, rivals from Mexico's First Division League. Atlas won 2-0.

The crowd was down considerably from last year's 8,800, when the game was played earlier in the summer and later in the day to avoid brutal heat like Sunday's.

Event organizer Jim Kalmenson, president of Los Angeles-based KWKW radio, said this year's match started at 1 p.m. largely so it could be televised live nationwide on Telemundo.

"Naturally the time of day affected ticket sales, plus it was also on TV in Las Vegas, so some people stayed home to watch indoors," Kalmenson said. "I take responsibility for that. I felt it was very important to have the game on national television, to help give exposure to the city of Las Vegas."

Kalmenson said approximately half of the crowd was comprised of out-of-town fans who received free tickets from Chivas' radio broadcast network of more than 20 stations.

But the fans hardly seemed to notice the heat, with many wrapping themselves in flags and banners to support their favorite club. The stands were sprinkled with the red-and-white striped jerseys of Chivas, clearly the more popular team among the overwhelmingly Hispanic crowd.

Much to those fans' dismay, Atlas prevailed with two second-half goals. Chivas generated several good early chances, but then Atlas took control, coming alive in the final 10 minutes of the first half.

Just before the break, Chivas went down a man when Emilio Mora received a red card, with tempers flaring as the sun bore down. Playing 10-on-11, Chivas was unable to stop Atlas' attack in the second half, as Rodrigo Valenzuela and Juan Pablo Garcia found the net.

Despite the deficit, Chivas' supporters continued to cheer their team until the bitter end, roaring their approval when Ramon Morales -- one of Chivas' two Mexican World Cup players -- entered late in the game to try to spark the offense.

But Atlas goalkeeper Jesus Corona had all the answers, preserving the shutout with two diving saves.

Fans poured onto the field as the final seconds ticked off, surrounding the players and collecting autographs and snapshots. Foghorns blared and Mexican flags waved.

"We hope to build on this and do it every year," said Joe Santiago, Sam Boyd Stadium associate director for booking. "I think if we had to do it again, we'd try to do it at night or another time of year. But overall, we think it's an event we can continue to bring back."