Loyola Students Volunteer at Mexico-Colombia Soccer Match in Baltimore

Colombia took an early lead with a goal from forward Luis Suárez in the ninth minute. Mexican midfielder Gilberto Mora, just 17 years old, scored his first goal for the team in the 62nd minute. Many fans showed strong support for Mexico, as evidenced by the enthusiastic reactions following their goal.

Loyola University student Matt Rivas, class of 2028, described the atmosphere, saying, "Watching the crowd go absolutely crazy after the Mexico goal was insanely unreal. I saw everyone come together and scream and have an amazing time. The whole stadium blew up with excitement." He noted the celebratory spirit extending throughout the city, where vendors offered merchandise and food, and a large tailgate fostered community ties.

Classmate Mariana Perez, also from the class of 2028, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing Baltimore's cultural diversity as a fitting backdrop for the event. Perez, who supported Colombia due to her family's heritage, found the experience particularly memorable because she sat among fellow Colombian fans.

Several Loyola students volunteered for the event through the organization MexTour, which arranges games for Mexico’s national soccer team in the U.S. The volunteers, including sports co-editor Blaise Jones, class of 2029, assisted with various media coordination tasks. This included scorekeeping, aiding photographers in following broadcast rules, and facilitating press conferences for coaches and players.

Jones remarked on the unique opportunity, stating, "It was pretty great! Getting to be a part of something so multilayered yet still having a visible impact was pretty cool. Even though we didn’t have the most significant roles as volunteers, the experience was incredible in and of itself."

Volunteers like Demetrius Davis, class of 2028, also played key roles. As a media wayfinder and photo marshal, he ensured smooth media coverage during the match. Davis reflected on the unforgettable experience, sharing, "Being able to assist with the media day operations for one of the biggest sports in the world is something a lot of people only dream of. Assisting both the media teams of Mexico and Colombia was incredible… a literal dream come true."

The event highlighted Baltimore's warm reception for the Mexican and Colombian teams, showcasing a vibrant community celebration beyond the soccer itself. Those interested in future volunteering opportunities should stay tuned for upcoming MexTour events.