SEATTLE — Cesar Villaluz scored early and previously reeling Mexico dominated China in a 1-0 victory Wednesday in an exhibition game before a crowd of 56,416 that roared, chanted, sang and blew horns throughout the night.
The fourth-largest soccer crowd in Seattle history was so joyful it did “The Wave,” the 1980s fan phenomenon allegedly founded in Seattle, during the United States’ national anthem just before the game. Fans displayed their disapproval of some officials’ calls by throwing paper airplanes from the upper deck of Qwest Field, which will be home to the expansion Seattle Sounders FC of MLS in 2009.
Only MLS exhibitions with Manchester United in 2006 and Real Madrid in 2003, plus a 1976 NASL exhibition game between Seattle and the New York Cosmos — Pele scored two goals in the first event held in the old Kingdome — drew more in Seattle than Wednesday night’s match.
The game played out like one might suspect between a team ranked 16th in the world and one ranked 82nd, even with Mexico minus its stars from overseas leagues. China had just three shots and it didn’t get the ball into Mexico’s penalty area more than a few times. That left veteran goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez, one of the only recognizable names on Mexico’s roster, mostly idle. He made just one save.
In the 14th minute, Mexico’s Jorge Hernandez lofted a pass into the center of the penalty area to Sergio Santana. Santana’s short pass found Villaluz, who was making plays near the goal all night. Villaluz drilled a high shot over goalkeeper Song Zhenyu for the lone goal that had the crowd, essentially all for Mexico, throwing sombreros.
Mexico easily could have led 5-0 at halftime. Song made two diving saves on breakaways by Mexico, including one by Villaluz on a shot from 15 yards. Song also made a sliding stop on a point-blank shot by Sergio Amaury Ponce in the 26th minute. Then, just before halftime, Santana kicked an open shot from the top of the goalkeeper box over the crossbar.
China’s lone chance to score came in the 59th minute. Wu Weian sent a high centering pass in front of the goal. But Gao Lin’s leap couldn’t keep the ball from sailing harmlessly over him.
The night was a pick-me-up for Mexico, which last month missed qualifying for the Olympics. That huge disappointment cost coach Hugo Sanchez his job two weeks ago, after just 16 months in the position.
This was the first game for interim coach Jesus Ramirez, and apparently one of his last. Multiple reports in Spain this week said Mexico’s soccer federation has asked Atletico Madrid coach Javier Aguirre, who led Mexico in the 2002 World Cup, to be the next national coach in time for World Cup qualifying matches this summer. Aguirre acknowledged only that the Mexican federation has contracted him about generalities.
Mexico’s tour of the United States continues June 4 against Argentina in San Diego and June 8 against Peru in Chicago. Mexico’s qualification matches for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa begin June 15 against Belize in Houston.
China is tuning up to host the Olympics.
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