Mexico To Play Peru Before An Expected 60,000 in Rose Bowl Saturday

The Mexican National Team is headed to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena this Saturday to face Peru in a friendly match ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. 

The event is expected to draw 60,000 fans, according to a message from District 6 Councilmember Steve Madison. 

On Game Day, Saturday, Sept. 24, the stadium gates are to open at 4:00 p.m. with the match beginning at 5:30 p.m. 

“The Recreational Loop will be closed from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 24th. The Equestrian Loop will remain open at all times,” according to the Rose Bowl. 

Residents can anticipate heaviest traffic on Saturday from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and again from 8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. 

For Mexico, this is part of the “MexTour Sendoff Series” that will also include fan and media events, a fan appreciation day, and other festivities. Friday, Sept. 23, is Send-off Fan Appreciation Day for the Mexico team at the Rose Bowl, with tickets including an Open Training Session for a limited number of fans that begins at 1:30 p.m.

In March, Mexico booked their place in the FIFA World Cup after defeating El Salvador, 2-0. 

“Many of the regulars are in the squad for matches against Peru and Colombia with Raul Jimenez, Chucky Lozano, Edson Alvarez and Diego Lainez all included,” reported Goal.com. 

Peru’s national team failed to qualify for the World Cup, losing 5-4 on penalties against Australia in June in a match which ended 0-0 after 120 minutes in Doha. 

Peru is under new management as they travel to Pasadena, after the Peruvian Soccer Federation decided to put the team in the hands of Juan Reynoso. As a player, Reynoso captained this team to a semi-final appearance at the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2020. 

After this year’s disappointing loss to Australia, Reynoso is expected to get Peru back on its feet this weekend. A win against Mexico will have a massive impact as they take on El Salvador in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday.

The Mexicans have not faced the Peruvians since 2015 in Lima. They’re heading to Saturday’s match on the back of a 1-0 defeat to Paraguay in Atlanta in another friendly international match.

At the Rose Bowl, parking lots open Saturday at 12 noon. Futbol Fiesta – the Fan Appreciation Day – is from 1 to 5 p.m. The match begins at 5:30 p.m.

Mexico fans will have a last opportunity to see their team play in the U.S. on Tuesday when the sendoff series continues at Santa Clara’s Levi’s Stadium, with El Tri facing the Colombian national team.