The soccer game Tuesday night between the teams of Mexico and Venezuela was not exactly a final in the World Cup but don't tell that to the 60,808 fans who turned out to Qualcomm Stadium.

The "green wave," as the followers of Mexico's team are called, know how to throw a party before a big game -- and they didn't fall short in Mission Valley.

They wrapped themselves in team banners, painted their faces with the flag colors of green, white and red and sported green tee-shirts, creating a movable, colorful mosaic inside and outside the stadium.

The first order of business was the tailgate party, and fans from San Diego and neighboring communities didn't scrimp on the fixings.

Music from the norteña band of Tigres del Norte, from Marco Antonio Solís "El Buki," and from Alejandro Fernández provided the soundtrack to gatherings of friends and families enjoying carne asada.

The typical plastic horns used by Mexican fans to support their team provided a touch of magic to a friendly match in which nothing really was at stake.

"The opponent doesn't matter; all we want is to see our team play," admitted René Rendón, 35, an administrator in Tijuana of a chain of optical shops.

Some fans had a much longer trip to see their beloved team. Luis Santos arrived in his SUV from Los Angeles, along with three friends.

"It took us three-and-a-half hours to get here," he said. "But we are here to support El Tri," as Mexico's team is called.

Not surprisingly, the number of Venezuelan fans was much smaller, but some made their presence felt.

A 22-year-old beauty, Anita Carrera, turned heads as she strolled by wearing fitted jeans and a tee-shirt with her country's colors tied around her waist.

"I know we don't have a great team, but it's exciting to be here to support the boys," she said, amid the whistles announcing her presence. "¡Viva Venezuela!"

This celebration at Qualcomm came less than a year after El Tri turned in a disappointing performance in last year's World Cup in South Africa.

But love of El Tri is greater than any disappointment.

"We have a young team, eager to win and a capable coach," said Rendón. "We're on the right track and I believe that with this team we will get far.

"We're going to win the Gold Cup, and go from there," he continued, echoing the sentiment that Mexicans everywhere feel for their team: an unshakeable faith.

Abraham.nudelstejer@sandiegored.com