Mexico vs. Japan: International Soccer Returns to Oakland | OneFootball

A Welcome Homecoming

The Oakland-Alameda Coliseum is a grand ol’ eyesore, visible for miles squatting just off the busy I880 corridor. Lovingly referred to as The Last Dive Bar of stadiums, it’s been a hallowed and sometimes hated home to franchises such as American football’s Oakland Raiders and baseball’s Oakland Athletics.

The Raiders and A’s are long gone. The less said about that saga the better, but it left this faded jewel of a venue without an occupant until the USL Championship soccer team Oakland Roots relocated there at the end of 2024. And with that residency, the Coliseum sprang back to life.

Yet another accomplishment for the Roots and Oakland was the return of international soccer. Part of the Roots’ investment into the Coliseum was laying down a playing surface good enough to meet the demanding FIFA guidelines. And on Saturday evening, Oakland got to host their first international soccer match since a USA vs. Haiti Gold Cup group match back in July 2015.

And not just any match, this one featured two giants of the game. Mexico, fresh off their Gold Cup win over the US last June, traveled north. Japan, the current East Asian Cup holders, made the Bay Area their temporary home for this fixture before traveling east to take on the USNMT on Tuesday. The teams are 13th and 17th in the world rankings, respectively, with huge, dedicated fan bases.

Enthusiastic Support

In a press conference the day before, both coaches spoke glowingly of the Coliseum and Oakland in general. Japanese skipper Hajime Moriyasu said it “was an honor” to play in such a venue, and added that the East Bay weather offered a welcome respite from the significant humidity and high temperatures common in Japan at this time of year. Mexico’s coach Javier Aguirre said unequivocally: “I’m very excited to be here. [Northern] California is like a second home, and I hope the fans enjoy.”

Oakland Coliseum Crowd. Photo credit: Author

And the fans showed up. It was a capacity crown of 45,278 souls and nary an empty seat could be seen. During the pre-game, DJs spun classic wedding and quinceañera tunes alongside dance beats, which the majority Mexico-supporting crowd sang along to with gusto. Cheers erupted when the squads stepped onto the pitch to warm up: modest ones for Japan, rowdy ones for Mexico.

The Game: Mexico 0 – 0 Japan

The actual game, while punctuated with the occasional thrilling and spicy moments, was a somewhat pedestrian and stodgy affair. Both teams gave solid efforts, but because it was a friendly it lacked that added element of desperation necessary to spur players on.

On the whole, Japan was the better team. Their energy was amped up a notch above Mexico’s, especially in the first half when an 11th minute shot from Takefusa Kubo forced Ángel Malagon into a fine save. Japan added another four shots, two of whom were very close, and were the more threatening side.

Mexico found their groove and matched Japan’s tempo in the second half. Perhaps they finally caught the crowd’s enthusiasm, which had not waned since the opening whistle. In the game’s most promising moment, substitute Hirving “Chucky” Lozano whipped in a delicious cross into the box. Eric Lima (also recently subbed on) was unopposed and snapped the ball towards the far post with his head. Japanese keeper Zion Suzuki made a remarkable save at full stretch to deny the goal, and the stadium echoed with supporters groans.

The stats also favored Japan. They outshot Mexico 9 to 8, pipped them 2 to 1 in shots on goal, had 3 to 1 on corner kicks and even committed more fouls (20 to 18).

If you were a fan of El Tri, this was yet another frustrating outing for a side filled with talent but lacking that certain creative spark. They expressed that sentiment with some sustained post-game booing, though some that might have been anger towards the center referee who had issued a red card to César Montes in the 91st minute for a from-behind takedown of Ayase Ueda that deprived him of a goal-scoring opportunity.

Final Thoughts

The paucity of goals should not dampen what was overall a positive event. While supporters would have loved to see an open, attacking goal-fest, at least Mexico did not lose (though coach Aguirre’s post-match demeanor was slightly salty and put out). Let’s hope that Oakland won’t have to wait another fifteen years for another match of similar magnitude.