Fans face off, in good fun, at U.S.-Mexico CONCACAF match at the Rose Bowl

Francisco Soto has been counting down the days for the U.S.-versus-Mexico game at the Rose Bowl.

The 22-year-old, who lives a five-hour drive away in Monterey, arrived at noon and is staying at a hotel. He and his two friends took Uber to the stadium rather than drive.

“We wanted to avoid all this,” he said, pointing to the long row of vehicles waiting to enter the stadium parking lots. “It’s quick and easy and there’s no headache.”

Soto said he’s hoping for Mexico to win.

“3-1,” he said. “We’ll win and go home happy.”

Meanwhile, amid the grills and flags and tents, the atmosphere inside the stadium appeared so far to be peaceful — a departure from some previous U.S.-Mexico games.

There were the usual “USA” and “Mexico” chants.

It got a bit heated for a few minutes between the American Outlaws, a soccer fan club, and Mexican fans. There was chanting and each side waved its flags. They jumped and tried to out-scream each other.

Beer was sprayed and then came the handshakes, an occasional pat on the back and group photos.

This is just a game, after all.

But the faceoff is a hint of what has changed, compared to 2011. Now there are an equal number of fans for both sides.

Nearby, Abraham Chavez, a 49-year-old from Los Angeles, looked around and sipped beer.

“It’s like the border,” he said, chuckling. “We got Americans flags on this side and Mexican flags on that side.”

He said he came to the game with his wife and daughter Leslie Chavez, 28, a member of the American Outlaws.

Leslie Chavez said a lot has changed since 2011. The U.S. fan base is more visible and has grown.

“It was scary being a U.S. fan in 2011,” she said. “I was afraid to go to the bathroom and I had little kids giving me the middle finger.”

“This time I feel like I can mingle with Mexican fans.”

She hopes the U.S. men’s national team will notice the change and perhaps have more games in Los Angeles in the future.

Chavez is also among a number of Latinos who have been criticized for rooting for an American team and not a Latino team.

Born in El Salvador, Chavez came to the U.S. when she was 10. She’s now a citizen and is more Americanized.

She said the U.S. team is a reflection of the country she has grown to love and become part of.

“It’s like Univision called the team, ‘el equipo de todos.’ They have players of German and Mexican descent and Anglo,” she said. “The team reflects me.”

Abraham Chavez chimed in.

“You know what brings us all together?” he said, while he lit the grill. “Carne ranchera.”

Not far away, Salvador Calderon, a 22-year-old from Oxnard, stood among a crowd of more than a dozen Mexican fans — some of them friends and relatives.

He wore a Mexican soccer jersey and a USA scarf.

“Mexico is my blood and the U.S. is my home,” he said. “My parents are from Mexico and I was born here.”

“You can’t really choose,” he added.

He said he’s rooting for both sides today. “I’m here to have fun and see a good game.”

Calderon’s aunt, Pilar Ortiz, 45, of Oxnard, wore a blue jersey. Born in Mexico, she came to the U.S. when she was 4. Ortiz, a U.S. citizen, said she was rooting for the U.S. because it was her team.

“It doesn’t matter what country you’re from,” she said. “You have the right to cheer for the team that’s the best.”

Follow Ruben Vives on Twitter @LATVives