University of North Texas Athletics
Green Gang: Hedlund Recalls Memories Of Azteca Stadium
8/13/2009 12:00:00 AM | Return to Play
By Kenny Bybee, August 12, 2009, 9:17 p.m.
As all soccer fans know by now, Mexico continued their dominance over the USA by winning 2-1 at Azteca Stadium in World Cup qualifying action. The victory brought Mexico's home record to an astonishing 23-0-1 all-time at the 43-year-old stadium.
What many fans may not know is that North Texas' very own John Hedlund was part of one of those 23 defeats. Back in 1986 Hedlund and his USA squad traveled to Azteca Stadium not knowing the potential buzz saw that awaited them.
While Hedlund committed a hand ball early on that gave Mexico a penalty kick opportunity and led to the game's first goal, it was the hellish atmosphere that current North Texas head coach remembers the most.
"It was absolutely crazy and we weren't prepared for the playing conditions or the altitude," Hedlund said. "There were probably 60,000 fans there that hated us with a passion. They were crazy to say the least. When we came out to the field we walked through cages and they were throwing bags of urine that we're splattering all over us. It was not an easy place to play."
Hedlund, who started at sweeper that day and whose team eventually lost 4-0, wasn't joking about the altitude, which sits at 7,400 feet above sea level. He also mentioned that his team was unprepared for the grass which was nearly "a foot thick".
Going off topic for a bit, the North Texas soccer team had their photo day Wednesday. We will have a lot of coverage on the team this week. Things kickoff with an exhibition game Saturday at 7 p.m. against TCU.
