The Angel de Independencia in Mexico City overflowed with green-clad fans; TV crews set up in players' homes to capture the reaction of family members and the party went on long into the night.
It was Oct. 2, 2005 and Mexico had won the Under-17 World Cup. "Los Ninos Heroes" ("The Heroic Children") had just overcome none other than Brazil 3-0 in the final in Lima, and in Mexico the celebrations erupted as if El Tri had won the real thing. Mexico had never won a World Cup at any age category, and for one of soccer's sleeping giants, it felt like a coming of age.