At the Concacaf Cup playoff match on Saturday night at the Rose Bowl, it was the Mexicans who blasted United States during their recent match for a 3-2 win with extra time. It is the first victory in four years
A pressure game finished with an increadible three in a row with a spectacular volley from Aguilar. Taking advantage of a gap created by the USA player, Guzan, Aguilar managed to find a way through with a quick and brutal shot through the posts.
It is a game that will long be remembered, both for bitter sweet reasons. Mexico did what others said they could not do and America walked away with their tail between their legs, dazed by the prowess and doggedness of a better team on the day.
In many ways it felt like a Mexican home game.
Mexico not only dominated the game, they dominated the stand. You were in Mexico. If you were a US fan, that meant you were noticeably outnumbered.
It wasn’t just the game that filled the stadium, it was the performance of the crowds on both sides. Not unlike their politics, the atmosphere between the two teams and their respective fans could be felt for it’s intensity and excitement.
The historic tension between the two was evident by the fence that had been erected with tailgate groups holding their signs high in the air and proclaiming that the mexicans were not welcome in the US fly fan zone.
It certainly kept security on its toes. Though, as it turns out, their was no need for concern.
The event was filled with drama. Not just for players and spectators, but also for punters who were shoring up the sports betting at the William Hill website.
Mexico found a way to keep the ball in their zone and continue pushing hard against the US team. Again and again, Mexico, keeping possession and pushing through until Herrera would land it in the back of the net and brings Mexico up to the top of the points.
Fans on both sides gathered around security fencing to taunt. Chanting victory before the game even began, for many, it was the spectators who stole the headlines and the game. Gringo’s and good natured combat made for an exciting game that went on without any real incident off the field.
All the action was on the turf – where it should be.
US found their counter punchers falling down at critical moments while Mexico managed to hold their grit and force a play. With great tenacity, they fought on and eventually prevailed against an exhausted and humbled USA.
Klinsmann, with an ego the size of a double decker bus on steroids could not even bring himself to acknowledge the great game played by Mexico and instead dismissed what was an incredible game as a matter of indifference.
The attitude was considered appalling to many and typical of America’s inability to cope with resistance without going in to a huff of sooks and whines.
“I think it was an incredible experience,” he said of his biggest defeat as the U.S. coach. “It was full of excitement; it was full of intensity.”
Yeah, were you there? Did you see the other team, Klinsmann? The rivalry between fans was more commendable. Even Captain America made an appearance along side an Mexican Aztec
As someone quipped over at the Huff post, “The politics of soccer, it turns out, are much more unifying than the politics of politics.”
Klinsmann can whine or act with indifference, but he is pretty much alone on this one. The loss for the USA was one that Mexico will remember. It was not just a victory for players, but for the culture, comradeship and common good (albeit, momentary and passing like the gas of so much beans) of a nation who is all too often entangled in the dark underbelly created by said Captain America.
