Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez (Photo: Cesar Diaz)

Prior to the autographing session, fans were already lined outside patiently waiting to enter the store to meet their beloved “El Tri”. Predominantly teenagers, some of the fans have been waiting since 5AM because they couldn’t afford the trip to South Africa for the World Cup. With their parents permission and support, these students took a day off from school in order to meet their heroes and wish them luck.

Fans waiting to meet their heroes. (Photo: Cesar Diaz)

For many of the fans in attendance, meeting the Mexican National Team was an experience they’ll always treasure. Once inside the store, the fans cheered for “El Tri” as they anticipated meeting Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez, Juan Carlos “Topo” Valenzuela, Adrian Aldrete, Jonny Magallon, Jorge Torres Nilo, and Efrain Juarez.

Fan for life. (Photo: Cesar Diaz)

The players were in town because they have an upcoming friendly match against Ecuador on Friday, May 7, 2010. The match will be held at the New Meadowlands in East Rutherford, NJ and it’s already sold out. With expectations always high for the Mexican National Team, the players took advantage of this opportunity to show their appreciation of their fans and thank them for many years of support.

After the autograph session, fans were still lined up outside because they were hoping to get a glimpse of the team. It was impossible to leave through the front so I was escorted to the back door. As soon as the doors opened and I stepped out to the streets, flashbulbs were flashing and I was immediately surrounded by fans who had mistaken me for a player.

Signing away (Photo: Cesar Diaz)

Never in my life have I ever received this kind of adulation from hardcore soccer fans. In that brief but enjoyable moment, the fans eventually realized that I wasn’t a player. Instead of feeling disappointed and blowing me off, they wanted to know about my experience interacting with the players.

Believe it or not, this journalist was giving his very own press conference to teenagers and their parents in both English and Spanish. Basically, I answered all their questions and explained to them about the benefits of covering Soccer and the professionalism behind it. Granted, I wasn’t one of the stars they originally came to see but the crowd really did an awesome job of embracing me as an honorary member of “El Tri”

To see more photos, please go to facebook and look for the fan page: Goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooool!!!!!!!!!!

Cesar Diaz is the Soccer Editor for Latino Sports. Please send him your comments and questions to Cesar at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

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