1984 Olympic Soccer Program

1984 Olympic Soccer Program

The 1984 Los Angeles Olympics proved to the world that there was a vibrant soccer audience in the United States. Most notably, it proved that Los Angeles’s huge Latin-American fan base was a money-making machine. Attendance records were shattered as big stadiums were packed. Check out US Soccer’s story on the 1984 Olympic Soccer Attendance.

There are many legends as to how the “Mexican Wave” started. After its beginnings at Oakland A’s and Washington State football games, the “Mexican Wave” began at 1984 Olympic Soccer tournament at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. During the semifinal match between France and Yugoslavia, an intoxicated guy in front of our section was yelling for everybody to “Do the wave” (think Will Ferrell saying “we’re going streaking”). Amazingly, everyone actually did it and the wave became a global phenomenon. The 97,451 fans in the Rose Bowl looked fluid as the 80 plus rows of the bowl formed seemingly surfable waves. Fans of all teams and nationalities all leapt to their feet in unison. It was a beautiful thing for the beautiful game. During the Final between Brazil and France, the record 101,799 in attendance did it most of the game. Two years later, Mexico hosted the World Cup in 1986 where the wave was done in every stadium and world soccer fans have called it the “Mexican Wave” ever since.

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Related Links

– When Over 100,000 Watched Soccer at the Rose Bowl in 1984
– Olympic Football Tournament Los Angeles 1984