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The Mexican national soccer team has decided to change hotels in Los Angeles due to safety concerns ahead of their Gold Cup match on Saturday. This decision comes amidst ongoing protests against immigration raids in the city, as reported by a team spokesman on June 10. The team was initially booked to stay in a downtown Los Angeles hotel, but the Confederation of North, Central America, and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) has approved a move to a different, yet undisclosed, location.
The protests began on Friday in response to federal immigration authorities arresting over 40 individuals across Los Angeles. Demonstrators blocked a major freeway and set self-driving cars on fire, prompting police to use tear gas, rubber bullets, and flash-bang grenades. In response, President Donald Trump ordered an additional 2,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to the city.
Mexico's coach, Javier Aguirre, refrained from commenting on the protests during a news conference in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where the team is preparing for a friendly match against Turkey. "I'm not going to talk about Los Angeles," Aguirre stated, emphasizing the team's focus on their upcoming match.
Following their opening match against the Dominican Republic at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Mexico will travel to Arlington, Texas, to face Suriname, and then conclude the first round of the tournament against Costa Rica in Las Vegas.