Ciao Chivas
To no one’s surprise, Chivas have failed to qualify for the 2025 Clausura Play-In Tournament. And yet, I can’t help but feel disappointed. Everything was lining up for Chivas to sneak into that 10th seed spot. Tigres took care of business against Pumas — all Chivas had to do was win. A tall ask, sure, considering they only managed one away win all season (ironically, against Pumas). But Estadio Jalisco is familiar territory — it used to be their home.
Hugo Camberos returned to the starting lineup and looked ready to carry the team on his back. Just 30 minutes in, he broke the deadlock and gave Chivas the lead. But as has become painfully familiar, the joy didn’t last long. Serbian striker Uroš Đurđević struck back for Atlas, notching his 12th goal of the season — tying him with João Paulo and José Zúñiga atop the scoring charts. Once again, Chivas proved most vulnerable right after scoring. It’s a bad habit that’s haunted them all year.
The second half? Brutal. The lack of urgency and intensity from the players made it feel like Gerardo Espinoza had told them at halftime to start their vacation early. Did no one remind them they had to win? That Tigres was beating Pumas? That despite being equal on points and goal difference, Pumas would leapfrog Chivas thanks to more goals scored?
Atlas looked more likely to steal the win. Đurđević, chasing Atlas’ first-ever golden boot, nearly got it in stoppage time — only to be denied by Tala Rangel in the dying seconds.
In the end, Atlas crushed Chivas’ slim playoff hopes. For Atlas fans, that heartbreak might be even sweeter than a win.
Now, Chivas face a long offseason with more questions than answers. Some clarity is already here — the front office announced Espinoza’s departure, and shut down rumors linking Mateo Chávez to AZ Alkmaar. Hugo Camberos is still negotiating a contract extension. Will Chivas try to offload Chicharito this summer? Are they entering a rebuild? Will Amaury Vergara finally show his face? And most importantly — who’s next in the dugout?
The season ends in familiar fashion: early exits, fan frustration, and another reset. For a club with Chivas’ history, that shouldn’t be the norm. But right now, it feels like it is.
-Jaime Landeros
Puto Chant: American Homophobia or Mexican Shithousery?
By Athai Juarez
In a league plagued by financial inequality, safety concerns, and declining viewership, both U.S. Soccer and MLS have chosen to focus their attention elsewhere—on the pitch—by villainizing the very fanbase that fills their stadiums week in and week out: the Mexican fan.
The narrative of “Bad Hombres” didn’t suddenly emerge in 2015—it’s a sentiment that’s long existed, even before the rise of the now-infamous “Puto chant.” This controversial chant originated in Guadalajara in 2004 and gradually gained popularity across Mexico before inevitably crossing the border into U.S. stadiums. But to fully understand its reception here, it’s essential to consider the political climate of the time.
In 2004, President George W. Bush was seeking reelection amidst declining approval ratings due to the Iraq invasion and the War on Terror. His strategist, Karl Rove, shifted the national discourse to populist issues like abortion and same-sex marriage, weaponizing cultural wedge topics. Over the next few years, the U.S. saw a spike in hate crimes against LGBTQIA+ individuals and medical professionals at abortion clinics. This era also marked a cultural and ideological tug-of-war that culminated in a political shift toward more inclusionary values.
Meanwhile, Mexico’s national soccer team was thriving, rising in dominance over the U.S. team. Around the same time, the “Puto chant” became more prominent, often shouted alongside the iconic U.S. “Dos a Cero” chants. By the 2014 FIFA World Cup, the chant reached a global stage, prompting an investigation by FIFA’s disciplinary committee after it was heard during matches against Cameroon and Brazil. The investigation was ultimately dismissed, with FIFA stating the chant was not insulting in the specific context.
Ask most Mexican fans, and they’ll tell you the chant is a form of psychological gamesmanship—a way to rattle the opposing goalkeeper—not an expression of homophobia. In fact, many argue that outsiders simply don’t grasp the nuances of Mexican idiosyncrasy, where football is a way of life and deeply embedded in cultural expression. This perspective is reinforced by Mexico’s own historical acknowledgment of gender fluidity and third-gender roles, which date back to pre-Columbian times. One of today’s most beloved Mexican public figures is Wendy Guevara, a trans woman, further reflecting the nation’s growing visibility and acceptance.
Still, under international pressure—primarily from the U.S. Soccer Federation—the Mexican fanbase has increasingly come under fire. Matches are being paused or threatened with cancellation. Fines are levied. The label of “homophobic” has been stamped across the entire supporter culture.
And yet, the irony couldn’t be more glaring: this outrage peaks at a time when American policies are scaling back protections for the very communities they claim to defend. Across the U.S., gay and trans rights are under renewed attack from both state and federal legislatures.
So, the lingering question remains:
Was this ever really a Mexican problem—or just a mirror being held up to a more uncomfortable American truth?
Pauno TV
Defender Jesús Orozco Chiquete, in a recent appearance on the Reportero Podcast, mentioned that under coach Veljko Paunović, Chivas introduced him to coaching methods he had never experienced with a Mexican manager. Chiquete noted that he had never had a coach place such strong emphasis on throw-ins, quoting Paunović as saying, “You can create an attacking chance from throw-ins.”
The most attention-grabbing part of the interview, however, was Chiquete’s admission that he had never previously watched opponent film. He explained that Paunović regularly had the team study footage of their upcoming opponents, making small tactical adjustments depending on who they were facing.
This has sparked a broader conversation, with many now asking: Are Mexican coaches falling behind in modern coaching methods?
-Eduardo Gutierrez