Fans enjoy Mexico's 1-0 win over China

Qwest Field's south and north end zones shook like this was a Seahawks game. But those weren't Seahawks fans standing the entire time and making all that noise, and this wasn't the NFL.

From the sound of the crowd, however, it would have been hard to tell the difference.

Once inside, though, Seahawks blue gave way to Mexico green, red and white in what was essentially a home game for "El Tri" — officially called a friendly — against China on Wednesday night.

The 56,416 fans in the seats roared as if they'd waited for the chance to see the national team all their lives, cheering every pass ("Ole!") every possession ("Mexico! Mexico!") and every official's call against Mexico or player knocked down by a Chinese player (expletive in Spanish, repeated).

In the end, they were rewarded for their time, lung capacity and patience for an 8 p.m. start, as Mexico defeated China's national team 1-0.

"We think we're going to win all of them," Mexico coach Jesus Ramirez said. "For me it was very enjoyable to see that determination to win.

"The people were impressive," he said of the crowd. "They were emotional. It made me really happy to send these fans home with a win."

Mexico made a winner out of Ramirez, appointed head coach 18 days ago, in his first game as national team director, and 19-year-old phenom Cesar Villaluz played a big part in the victory.

Villaluz, a forward, darted in, out and around the China defenders like a beam from a laser pointer, proving to be too difficult to mark and a threat almost every time he touched the ball. All Mexico needed was one of several scoring chances to cash in, as it dominated play for much of the game.

Villaluz had an open net in front of him just two minutes into the match. Only a miraculous last-second deflection by Wang Xiao saved a quick goal.

"On every play we were aggressive and we came with everything," Mexico defender Patricio Araujo said.

Mexico had a score nullified by an offsides call moments later. By the time Villaluz controlled the ball off a corner kick and pass in the 14th minute and blasted in Mexico's first goal from directly in front of the net, the crowd was already whipped into a frenzy.

They sang Mexico's national anthem with passion and emotion. They did the wave. They banged on drums, blew air horns, twisted noisemakers in the air, whistled derisively — the way U.S. fans boo a visiting team — at the Chinese players and razzed China goalkeeper Song Zhenyu on every goal kick. They even threw plastic bottles, cardboard signs and paper projectiles onto the field.

The only way to tell there were China fans in the crowd was the two large Chinese flags in the stands, one in the upper deck and one behind the north goal.

"For us it was very difficult," China coach Vladimir Petrovic said through an interpreter. "I think the public for Mexico is like a 12th player. So I think they got very motivated."

The one goal was all Mexico needed, its players controlling the tempo of the game. In extra time of the second half, Villaluz exited for a substitution to a loud ovation.

"They really gave their all," Ramirez said of his players. "They gave their soul."

Villaluz was named the outstanding player of the match.

Despite the lack of scoring, Mexico's fans reveled in the atmosphere. The Mexican players gathered at midfield at the end of the game and raised their arms to the crowd in appreciation. Another roar. And the message that all who attended would love to have their heroes from Mexico back for another "home" game one day.

"An affectionate shout out to the fans," Araujo said after the game. "We're happy that crowd came out for us. The support is always good and their support helped us."

José Miguel Romero: 206-464-2409 or jromero@seattletimes.com