COLUMBUS, Ohio — On Friday night, just before kickoff of a World Cup qualifying match against Mexico, the most ardent fans of the United States men’s national soccer team will unveil a giant graphical display, known as a tifo, at one end of Mapfre Stadium to show their support for the Americans.
Tifos are common before big games — the last time these teams played here, the American tifo was of an enormous eagle above the word “HOME” — and their designs and messages are closely held secrets until they are revealed. But the one that will be revealed Friday will be just a little different from most: It will be missing one of its panels.