More than 7,500 soccer fans showed up before dawn at Avaya Stadium in San Jose to watch Mexico take on Brazil in the World Cup.

Admission to sit on the grass and watch the game on the stadium's big screen was free. There were supporters of both teams but the Mexico fans were especially passionate -- they haven't seen their team get through the World Cup Round of 16 since 1986.

Jesus Rios was hoping for a win as something positive after a tumultuous national election in Mexico and continuing negative tension in the U.S.

"It would mean a lot, honestly, with everything that's been happening in the country, here and around the world," he said. "It would be a great victory in the sense of pride and just overall joy."

But Mexico came up short, losing to Brazil 2-0.

Still, fans like Sam Cuellar, who drove up from Los Angeles with his family, said it was worth getting up at 5 a.m.

"It's soccer, somebody's gotta lose. No hard feelings, great time, great time. Look, Everybody's still happy, everybody's still happy. Sometimes you lose."

Despite her team's loss, Yolanda Garcia of San Jose said most of her family and friends are going to party, win or lose.

"I think most of us will take the day off," she said, laughing. "It's like independence day for us."

And she wasn't alone. The game was over by 9.a.m, and Mexico fans spilled out into the parking lot playing horns, dancing and waving flags. The party, as they say, went on.