Houstonians cheer Mexico to World Cup win

Fans watch Mexico and Germany face-off as the World Cup was live broadcast on jumbo screens during a Fathers Day Free World Cup Watch Party at BBVA Compass Stadium, Sunday, June 17, 2018, in Houston. Houston-area families were invited to celebrate Fathers Day as Mexico and Germany faced-off as the World Cup was live broadcast on jumbo screens at BBVA Compass Stadium. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle ) less Fans watch Mexico and Germany face-off as the World Cup was live broadcast on jumbo screens during a Fathers Day Free World Cup Watch Party at BBVA Compass Stadium, Sunday, June 17, 2018, in Houston. ... more Photo: Karen Warren, Staff / Houston Chronicle Photo: Karen Warren, Staff / Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 53 Caption Close Houstonians cheer Mexico to World Cup win 1 / 53 Back to Gallery

A steady rain began minutes before kickoff. But Javier Caltenco, the only person sitting in the stands at a BBVA Compass Stadium watch party, leaned back into his damp orange chair.

Mexico — the country where he was born — sought to win a game against defending World Cup champions.

He wasn’t sure if the team could pull it off. Caltenco, 47, had watched Mexico play from Port Arthur, where as a case manager he helps families recover from Hurricane Harvey. He’d also caught bits of prior World Cup games before work, at a restaurant during lunch breaks or on his computer or phone when necessary.

Caltenco dreamed of watching the games in person, especially at a tournament played in Brazil or Mexico with enthusiastic fans that appreciate football. But when a friend offered him tickets to a watch the game at the Dynamo’s Houston stadium, an event hosted by Northwestern Mutual’s Houston office, he said yes.

It was his first time in the stadium. He squinted up at the screen across the green field, his eyes darting to follow the ball’s white dot as it bounced between Mexican and German players.

A few friends would join him as the rain intensified, though the threat of potential flooding scared many others into staying home. Two dads and their kids sat several rows ahead, eyes glued to the big screen. The television cameras focused on crowds of Mexican fans in green in Moscow.

Every four years, Caltenco looked forward to seeing the World Cup. This year — a difficult year, given work requirements of balancing disaster recovery in Houston with the wildfires in California — was no exception.

Announcers cut each other off: “Cross” — “headed away” — “you cannot hear the whistle over here” — “looks like they have something going.”

“Oh,” sighed Caltenco, defeated, when his team missed a shot.

Then, well into the game’s first half, the game’s energy shifted. The pace of the match was speeding up.

Hirving Lozano would get a key pass. His right foot then hit the ball, sending it flying into his opponents’ net.

The Mexico fans in Moscow exploded. A woman clutched her face. Chants and cheers overwhelmed the stadium.

In Houston, Caltenco shouted, too, ripping off his cap and waving it in the air. Several rows ahead, two men high-fived, and their kids grinned. Caltenco and his friend posted celebratory statuses to Facebook.

“We gotta keep it up,” Caltenco said.

They would, though he would finish watching the match at a crowded nearby sports bar. Lozano’s goal, cheered by few proud Houston fans braving the rainy outdoors, would be enough for Mexico to take the match.

lindsay.ellis@chron.com

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