An Evening in Mexico City

Sounders FC spent nearly two weeks in Mexico City for preseason. One evening, a few staff members snuck off to Zócalo, the city’s historic downtown plaza.

By Seattle Sounders FC

February 17^th, 2020

Zócalo

The main square in the heart of the city. It's a gathering place for locals, tourists, politicians and just about everyone else. The plaza can hold upwards of 100,000 people and is located on the same footprint as the Aztec city, Tenochtitlán.

Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral

On the north side of the plaza, a massive cathedral provides a picturesque backdrop. The church began construction in 1573 and took nearly 250 years to build. Once the Spanish conquered the Aztec Empire, the conquistadors built the cathedral on the site of Tenochtitlán's Templo Mayor.

National Palace

The main square is also home to political offices for both the city and the country. The National Palace flanks the entire east side of the square and houses Mexico's President, Andrés Manuel López Obrador.

Street Tacos

You've gotta do it when you're in Mexico City. Al pastor and carnitas.

Estadio Olímpico Universitario

For our last stop, we went to the home stadium of Pumas, where Sounders FC Assistant Coach Gonzalo Pineda began his professional career. It was in this neighborhood, Ciudad Universitaria, where Pineda grew up and first played the game with his father. If not for Gonzo, the Sounders never would have had the opportunity to train in this incredible city.

Footnotes

Photos by Lindsey Wasson

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FootNotes

Photos by Lindsey Wasson