Today, Mexico will face the Dutch for the first time since the controversial World Cup match that sent El Tri home over the summer and launched a thousand #NoEraPenal memes. The chance for revenge will definitely have many tuned into this match, but there are also plenty of other reasons to pay special attention to this one.
On the other hand, if the thought of watching a soccer match at a time when the nation is in turmoil over recent events in Iguala leaves a sour taste in your mouth, check out our rebuttal list, 5 Reasons Not to Watch the Mexico vs. Netherlands Friendly.
1
Because Vela is playing
Carlos Vela’s return to the national team after three-and-a-half years of a mysterious, self-imposed break has created a lot of conflicting emotions -Luis “El Matador” Hernandez told the Bleacher Report “I don’t like it. I think that a player who said no to the national team, who has only made a difference with the U17 squad and who hasn’t won anything with the senior team is not a good example for the team.”
But there’s no denying that 25-year old Vela, who many consider the best Mexican soccer player, will bring some much-needed energy and excitement to the roster — and it’s worth tuning in to see his return.
2
Because Vela and Chicharito are playing together
The two greatest forwards that Mexico has will be on the pitch together. Like peanut butter and jelly. Or tamarindo con chile. This is a pairing worth watching.
3
The Nation is in Crisis
For nearly two months, Mexico has been in turmoil over the massacre and kidnapping of students in Iguala, Guerrero — the straw that broke the camel’s back after eight years of cartel and state violence that has ended in over a 100,000 dead and over 20,000 missing. The gross violations in human rights that these events represent have turned the eyes of the world on Mexico, and it’s likely that fans in the stadium will use the opportunity to voice their outrage during a televised match. When protestors are using all available outlets to express their indignation, this is an opportunity for the world to see how the Mexican public feels.
4
Robben Revancha
It’s been nearly four months and we still haven’t recovered from the bullshit flop Robben pulled during the World Cup match that sent Mexico packing. A reporter even gave Robben a #NoEraPenal shirt today, which just goes to show that this is a meme that will never die, that hell hath no fury like a Mexican soccer fan scorned, and that the thirst to make the Oranje pay is real.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLvRn_0hiMc
5
Herrera Goes to Europe
Beloved coach Miguel “El Piojo” Herrera left a void in our computerlolz after achieving meme royalty status during the 2014 World Cup. A star on the verge of supernova, he needed to scale back before he oversaturated our timelines with Super Saiyan gifs and capillary-bursting facial contortions. But now that the summer has receded and we’re settling into cold and gray November, it’s the perfect time for him to come back and bring a little joy to our internet, which has been full of some heavy news of late.