The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-05-28
Soccer, Played Everywhere, Seen As New Pan-American Sports Link
Mexicon Clubs Visit Stresses Importance of Elder Football
BY BURTON BENJAMIN

New York, May 28-If sports are to have role in the promotion of Pan-A American goodfellowship, U. s. athletic brass hats had better forget track and field, American football, baseball, tennis and golf and con- centrate on soccer.
 This oldest form of football and most universal cumulative sport in the world is the national game in Mexico, South and Central America.
 It is estimated that 2500 pro- fessionals and 35,000 amateurs play soccer in this country. Five times as many compete in Mexico alone. Soc- cer replaced bull-fighting as the na- tional pastime south of the Rio Grande.
 These facts are emphasized as Mexico's national champions, Club Atlante of Mexico City, make an eight-game tour of this country.
 Nineteen strong, the southern neighbors were booked in St. Lotus, Chicago, Baltimore, Philadelphia and Jersey City after opening in New York.
 THREE 0IAkGS AkGE VALUED AT MORE THAN S1OOOOO
 For an idea of the preeminence and scope of Mexican soccer, here are some pertinent facts on the guests:
 Eleven players are valued at 1,500,000 pesos Approximately $300,- 000).
 Three internationals stars - Fer nando Garcia, center half back; Matrin Ventrola, outside right; and Leonardo Munloch, outside left - were bought by Club Atlante for more than $100000.
 Garcia, 28-year-old wizard, is rated the greatest center half in the world. He started with F. C.. Barcelona in Spain. Two years ago Club Atlante sold his release to the Velez Sarsfield Club of Arr gentina for $55,000, but bought him back last winter. His salary is $500 per month.
 Munloch also played with P. O.. Barcelona, was a South American phenomenon with F. c. Nacional of Montevideo. Club Atlante paid $35 900 for him.
 Ventrola, unanimous choice for the national team, is married to a cousin of Gen. Lazaro Cardenas. former president of Mexico. She saw Ventrola play and fell in love
 Club Atlante's stadium seats 5000. Other Mexico City bowls are the Asturies (45,000) and the Espana (30,000). Crowds average 3O0O0.
 Double-headers are played with the first game starting at 10 a. m, the second at noon. As in Spain bull-fighting is now held in the af- ternoon, so as not to coflict.
 The eight teams comprisig the League of Mayors play the best soccer ha Mexico. All professionals they compete throughout the year Teams are divided by boroughs or districts, but unlike American base ball, the unit is a club, not a privately owned enterprise.
 TEAMWORK, SHORT PASS ARE MEXICAN FEATURES
 The sport enjoys wide prestige. Gen. Jose Manuel Nunez, chief of police in Mexico City, is president of Club Atlante. President Avillo Camacho seldom misses a game. Former President Cardenas is a rabid spectator. Two of the lead- ing clubs-Necaxa and America are headed by cabinet ministers.
 MeXicans emphasize short passing combinations. They keep the ball on the ground, develop teamwork. Americans play the game much like football, with a forceful kicking and rushing style.
 In 1940, Club Atlante played six games in this foundry, won four and tied two.
 Soccer officials maintain the Good Neighbor sports policy has been Q one-Sided affair. We have promoted and played American games, in which we naturally excel. The re- suits have been more in the nature of exhibitions than competition.
 How much wiser, they point out, for us to develop a game which those to the south already play as well as any people in the world.
 American soccer players may be our new goodwill ambassadors.