The Santa Barbara Soccer Club’s Under-17 boys had never played before such a large hometown crowd. But all the fans weren’t pulling for them — many came to see their opponent, Mexico’s national U-17 team. Santa Barbara did indeed go down to defeat, but gloriously so. Mexico needed two late goals to pull out a 3-2 victory last Sunday in a friendly match at San Marcos High’s Warkentin Stadium.
Mexico is preparing for the FIFA U-17 World Cup, which will start October 17 in Chile. It will be considered one of the favorites after winning the CONCACAF championship — the U.S. national team finished third — earlier this year. In the last two World Cups, the Mexican youths won the title (2011) and finished runners-up (2013).
Santa Barbara’s boys achieved a national reputation over the past four years, reaching the final four of every U.S youth championship from age 14-17 and winning two titles. But taking on an international power seemed to be overly ambitious. Mexico’s current tour includes two college opponents, UCLA and Cal State Fullerton, and also a Thursday-night (August 20) match against an older team, the Ventura County Fusion.