USA wins

panthdave says on Jun 24, 2007, 17:29:

How many Mexicans play for the USA Team????

panthdave Miami

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scotty says on Jun 24, 2007, 17:34:

no se

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash

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panthdave says on Jun 24, 2007, 17:43:

I guess still good Pissed off Mexico pretty much revenge for the Beauty pagent..in Mexico City..

panthdave Miami

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Simon says on Jun 24, 2007, 18:02:

Congratulations Gringos!


U.S. continues dominance against Mexico


By NANCY ARMOUR

In the unfamiliar spot of playing from behind, U.S. coach Bob Bradley told his players at halftime they were going to have to win a little differently. Same game plan, different game plan. When it comes to playing Mexico lately, it doesn't seem to matter.
Landon Donovan scored his 34th career goal, tying Eric Wynalda atop the career list, and Benny Feilhaber connected with a gorgeous volley to rally the United States to a 2-1 victory over Mexico on Sunday in the final of the CONCACAF Gold Cup, the championship of North and Central America and the Caribbean.

"Awesome. Awesome," said Donovan, who still wore his champions medal when he left the locker room. "We haven't played that way, haven't played down a goal. Bob said it's going to be a different kind of win and I'm proud of us, because that's not easy."

The victory extended the Americans' dominance over their neighbors to the south and gave the United States a berth in the 2009 Confederations Cup in South Africa, an important tuneup ahead of the 2010 World Cup. The United States is 9-2-1 against Mexico since 2000, including 8-0-1 on U.S. soil.

They've won in cities where they truly were the home team, and places where they may as well have been the guests. Like Sunday, when almost the entire crowd of 60,000 at Soldier Field was wearing green.

Mexico at least managed a goal this time, snapping a streak of eight straight shutouts in the United States. Jose Andres Guardado's goal in the 44th minute was El Tri's first on U.S. soil in 797 minutes.

"They deserve to the No. 1 team in CONCACAF," Mexican striker Cuauhtemoc Blanco said. "They played well, but we had a number of chances. We just didn't take advantage of our opportunities."

Like in the 89th minute, when Adolfo Bautista came up with a loose ball in front of the U.S. goal. He took a shot from close range, but goalkeeper Tim Howard reached up as he was falling and punched the ball free to preserve the win.

After the final whistle, the Americans ran over to Sam's Army - really more of a platoon - to salute the small contingent of U.S. fans. Donovan tossed his shirt into the stands, then grabbed a U.S. flag that a fan tossed and wrapped it around his shoulders.

This is the fourth Gold Cup title for the Americans, tying them with Mexico. It also kept Bradley's undefeated record intact at 10-0-1. Bradley took over as interim coach after Bruce Arena was let go after the World Cup, and was given the job permanently May 16.

"Each competition, we talk about what it takes to become a really good team," Bradley said. "We're very excited about the fact we can get stronger as a group and win this. It means a lot to all of us."

His task gets tougher Thursday, when he leads a U.S. team without most of its regular starters against Argentina at the Copa America, South America's championship.

"Once again you saw today ... we did it the hard way," said goalkeeper Kasey Keller, one of the few veterans going to Venezuela. "If we want to beat the teams we're playing against away from home, we need to do these little things. Because against Argentina, I doubt we're going to have two chances to put the game away."

The Americans traditionally jump out to a lead, and then use their aggressive, counterattacking style to brush back any offensive charges. Not Sunday. This time it was the Mexicans who were the aggressors early on, taking the lead and making the Americans look lethargic.

But they got a break in the 60th minute, when Brian Ching was tripped up in the box by Jose Jonny Magallon. Compared to some of the other rough-and-tumble antics Sunday, this was pretty tame.

But it was all Donovan needed.

Donovan, the U.S. player Mexican fans most love to boo, took a slow jog to the ball and gave it a light kick. Mexico goalie Oswaldo Sanchez started to move to his right then hesitated, and that split second was enough to cost him any chance of getting to the ball, which hit the right corner of the net. It was Donovan's fourth goal of the tournament, all on penalty kicks.

As his teammates mobbed him, Donovan wiped his brow as if to say, "That was a relief."

"It's awesome. I'm proud of it, certainly," Donovan said of matching Wynalda. "I'm more happy we won the game."

The goal seemed to loosen up all of the Americans.

Ten minutes later, Donovan took a corner kick that was flicked clear by a Mexican defender. But the ball went right to Feilhaber, who scored on a perfect right-footed volley from 22 yards out for his second goal in eight international appearances.

"I knew it as soon as I hit it it was going in," Feilhaber said. "It's a great goal, at such a stage, against Mexico, in the Gold Cup. Unbelievable."

The score could have been even more lopsided. In the final 15 minutes, Ching banged a shot off the post and DaMarcus Beasley hit the crossbar after a perfect cross from Donovan on a breakaway hit him in the shin.

It was Mexico doing the counterattacking early, pushing and shoving and playing the Americans' kind of game. It worked, too. After struggling to finish several early chances, Nery Castillo beat Oguchi Onyewu and crossed to Guardado in front of the box in the 44th minute.

Guardado had been left unmarked and was all alone by the left post. As Howard slipped, Guardado poked the ball into the goal with his left foot, setting off a frenzied celebration on the field and in the stands.

"When you lose doing what we did, you can't be sad," Mexico coach Hugo Sanchez said. "It bothers me, sure. But when you look at how we did in the tournament, we got a lot better and we deserved a better result. Sometimes the team that plays better doesn't always win."

Notes: at Mexico midfielder Jose Andres Guardado was taken to the hospital after the game as a precaution after he complained of dizziness. ... Goalie Franck Grandel (Guadeloupe); defenders Felipe Baloy (Panama), Richard Hastings (Canada), Frankie Hejduk (United States), Carlos Salcido (Mexico); midfielders Walter Centeno (Costa Rica), Julian DeGuzman (Canada), Pablo Mastroeni (United States), Pavel Pardo (Mexico); strikers Carlos Pavon (Honduras) and Blas Perez (Panama) were named to the all-tournament team.





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

© 2007 Miami Herald Media Company. All Rights Reserved.
http://www.miamiherald.com

HERE'S SIMON!!!!

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scotty says on Jun 24, 2007, 18:06:

so the mexican coach Hugo is bothered by the loss huh? good!

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash

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elreydelostrolls says on Jun 24, 2007, 18:51:

I bet there weren't 10 gringos who cared who won this game.

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Simon says on Jun 24, 2007, 18:56:

That's not true.

I have a friend who saw the game at a mall in Palm Beach, Florida and he told me that he was surprised how many gringos were gathered in front of the TV watching the game. I also saw many gringos in the stands in the stadium on TV.

HERE'S SIMON!!!!

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Gomezman5 says on Jun 24, 2007, 21:09:

Simon, you're right. There were more than 10 Gringos who cared. But sorry to tell you, not many more. I was there for it all. And, I was there for the 2 semi final games last Thursday where the US beat Canada, and Mexico beat Guadalup (not Guadalupe).

Mexicans out numbered Americans by over 15 to 1. In fact, you almost had to look for Gringos unless you happened to stumble by a few doing their version of a tailgate party. Mexicans were there in force. They had great tailgate parties, and had a level of enthusiasm that was far more intense than the Gringos.

It was a great game. A classic Mexico Us Game, which is as big, as any other international rivalry. I know of none bigger. It's an athletic rivalry, but a political one too. For the record, I supported Mexico. I always do when they play the US.

Mexico will really have their work cut out for them now when they enter competition at stepped up level in Venezuela. This Thursday, they will have to play Argentina.

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scotty says on Jun 24, 2007, 22:00:

Thats what made it so great to see US beat mexico. Mexico takes their soccer serious and mexico hates the US ( they have proved that many times especially most recently when they were booing the Miss USA in mexico city).
Here in the US soccer is not all that big of a deal on the list of sports watched and supported, soccer falls far down the list to about 6th or 7th or maybe even lower, it places far below basketball, baseball and other sports played.
So to see the US beat mexico at our number 7 important sport and mexicos number 1 important sport, especially to beat them after the very rude way mexico treated our miss USA this game was payback time.
This game said alot of things and one of the most important things it said was " hey you can boo a very nice woman who has come to your country to compete on stage but when you face our men on the battle field or in this case the soccer field you are goin down".
GO Argentina! GO Argentina! Go USA! GO USA! Go anyone else thats playing against mexico!

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash

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Miguel_Clavo says on Jun 24, 2007, 22:36:

no, scotty you have it all wrong......they just dont like you.......=)

"I would rather die living life, than to live a dying life."........ Oh, and my PM is always ON. Great Bumper Sticker: "Home of the Free, Because of the Brave"

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scotty says on Jun 25, 2007, 00:11:

so thats why they are booing Miss USA because they dont like me? I dont think they like you either miguel. i asked a mexican guy i know if he like miguel_Clavo and he said no gusta, so see they dont like you either.

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash

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spigrimace says on Jun 25, 2007, 05:42:

At the Sports Bar in Medellin we had a Mexican citizen here (who dates a paisa) & 2 gringos....The 2 gringos were here for the NASCAR Pre-Race.

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Simon says on Jun 25, 2007, 08:54:

"For the record, I supported Mexico. I always do when they play the US."

I'm glad you enjoyed the game Gomezman,, but you supported a country you have no ties with over the country that feeds you?

BTW, Mexico faces Brasil this week, to which I'm sure they'll lose again. It's the US who plays Argentina (they'll probably lose too).

HERE'S SIMON!!!!

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Simon says on Jun 25, 2007, 08:58:

"classic Mexico Us Game, which is as big, as any other international rivalry. I know of none bigger. "

I'd say England vs. Scotland is bigger, so is Brasil vs. Argentina and Argentina vs. Uruguay. And the level of play is much higher in all those 'super clasicos'.

HERE'S SIMON!!!!

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Simon says on Jun 25, 2007, 09:02:

"So I think we should allow our soso pro "football" team on the field to oppose the leading Colombian "football" team and see what happens.... For example the Bears vs the Millonarios. ;) I would pay to see that game!"

Funny idea, but Millonarios sucks, they haven't won a title since 1998. The leading team would be Cucuta who had a great run at the Copa Libertadores or Atletico Nacional who won the Colombian league championship last week.

HERE'S SIMON!!!!

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Jun 25, 2007, 09:32:

The Millionarios are also bankrupt and used to be a narco-owned team, although the latter could probably be said about a lot of Colombian teams.



I don't follow them...I just had their logo in a computer file. I need to find a decent image of a bottle of Club Colombia or a mango or a coco.

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Simon says on Jun 25, 2007, 09:56:

My mistake, they haven't won a title since 1988!! I miss the edit feature!

HERE'S SIMON!!!!

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Jun 25, 2007, 10:01:

Our of curiosity, who is Rodriguez Gacha and why did the Colombian Police kill him?



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millonarios

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Simon says on Jun 25, 2007, 10:06:

Gacha was as major narcotrafficker known as 'the Mexican'. I think he was killed in a shoot out with the police.

HERE'S SIMON!!!!

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Gomezman5 says on Jun 25, 2007, 10:15:

"I'd say England vs. Scotland is bigger, so is Brasil vs. Argentina and Argentina vs. Uruguay. And the level of play is much higher in all those 'super clasicos'."

No I really don't think those are bigger.....especially today. Like Scotty pointed out above, What other country would "boo" the woman representing their country in a beauty contest? England would ot boo Scotland. As to Argentina, there is nothing special about Brasil, Uruguay and Argentina. Everybody in South America can't stand Argentina in football sense, but in a political sense as well. In fact, a short time back, when Colombia really did have a great National team, they also were having a strong rivalry with Argentina.

Mex and US is very contentious now. I was at the game. I saw it first hand. Mexicans were cheering for Canada in the Semi Final. They also booed the US team ....right from the onset whent the teams were announced. I did not like that but I stand on my words. The political situation has spilled over into sports. Do you really think all of those hundreds of thousands protesting in the streets .....trying to seem amnesty...is not going to spill over into sports competition?

Also, as far as I know, Mexico is the ONLY soccer team in the entire world, that gets to play before a home crowd, every time they play the US. That fact alone cause contention among the few US soccer fans that is only getting worse. Years ago, they used to hide these matches to parts of the country where there were not many Mexicans, but with so many of them here now.....that stategy will not work. The Mexicans are either already there in these remote areas, or they get in their cars and go to where the game is being played. Yesterday, plates form Montana, Nebraska, Oregon to the West, Georgia and Ten. to the South, and, just pick a few Eastern states, and you saw first hand the diversity.

This article tells the story: (Houston Chronicle)

USA-Mexico Soccer Rivalry About To Bubble Up

Noticias de la Copa de Oro CHICAGO — This is what happens when one inferiority complex meets another.

You get the greatest international sports rivalry in North America with each team wishing it had just a little bit of what the other one has.

You get each team talking and acting as if there's not a single redeeming quality about the opponent, when in fact each national side is jealous of the other, just a little bit.

You get one American player saying he hates everything about the Mexican team. You get a Mexican player spitting at the feet of an American opponent during a game.


International incident
You nearly have an international incident after an American player urinates on the turf of a stadium in Guadalajara. You get the most adored member of the Mexican national team calling the Americans cowards.

Those incidents, and more, have occurred when Mexico and the United States got together to kick it around a little.

You get what Soldier Field gets today: a USA-Mexico championship match for the region's premier trophy, the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

But as always at USA-Mexico, it is about more than the glitter on a prize.

The trophy won't hold the gallons of validation and satisfaction players from the winning side will be drinking after today's match. And perhaps most importantly to those involved, no trophy could hold the amount of joy the winners will get from simply sticking it to the other side.

Few rivalries in sports are as venomous and sincerely spiteful as this one.

It makes for compelling theater, with so many faces and expressions telling a thousand different stories of angst and ecstasy.

And though neither side would admit it, this rivalry has become one of the world's best, because at its core, USA-Mexico is about each national team wishing it could have something the other team has.

For the Americans, it is the undying faith and support of fans who follow Mexico's Tricolores no matter where the team plays or how it is playing.

From the days of being merely Mexico's foil, the Americans have become a better, more consistent, better-organized program. The fan base has grown, recognition has improved and the U.S. team has earned respect worldwide.

Yet Soldier Field is sold out today, and some 90 to 95 percent of the crowd figures to be flag-waving, chanting, singing Mexican fans.

The scene will be like others over the years when Mexico plays on American soil.And any U.S. soccer player, coach or official who tells you they don't feel offended and jealous that Mexican fans continually turn out while American fans have yet to embrace them is lying.


Two homes for Mexico
There was more than a bit of sarcasm in U.S. defender Carlos Bocanegra's voice when he said Friday: "It's nice (for Mexico) to have two home countries to play in."

The U.S. Soccer Federation, which has no say in the sites for the Gold Cup, has gone to great lengths trying to place other USA-Mexico matches in venues far away from the largest centers of Hispanic population or limiting ticket sales outside the U.S. Soccer membership.

But there's been little success keeping the passionate Mexicans away from their team. A 2006 World Cup qualifier match was placed in Columbus, Ohio. Another match was scheduled in Glendale, Ariz. Mexican fans were not denied (and they never have been), traveling all over, tooting horns, cranking noisemakers, singing songs.

Here, just a few miles from the U.S. Soccer Federation's offices, chants of "Meh-hee-co! Meh-hee-co!" will be close enough to almost rattle the windows at the headquarters, to say nothing of nerves.

Despite the support the Mexicans receive, however, in many ways the Mexican soccer kingdom also feels inferior to its northern rival.

Mexico's pride won't allow them to admit it, but the players and fans are jealous. And mad.

The Americans come into today's match with an eight-game (7-0-1) home unbeaten streak against Mexico. The Americans in fact have allowed Mexico to score in just two of 11 games against the U.S. since 1999. And of course, Mexico may never escape the shadow of a monstrous 2-0 World Cup loss to the U.S. in Jeonju, South Korea, in 2002.

"It's time to win against the United States," Mexican coach and soccer legend Hugo Sanchez said Friday. "We will win the Gold Cup. Yes, we will."

And if they don't?

As a nation, Mexico believes beating the Americans in soccer is a birthright. Not long after predicting a victory, the ultra-confident Sanchez said that if the Tricolores do lose, blame should fall on someone else's shoulders.


Don't blame Sanchez
"If we don't grow, it's not going to be my fault," Sanchez said. "I've already won and I want to give that mentality of triumph and winning to my people, my players, my countrymen, so we can have success and we triumph. If we don't win, it's because they were not paying attention to me."

Welcome to USA-Mexico, where one nation lives in constant fear of its game not living up to the expectations of its legion of fans. And the other just wishes it had more fans.

"We are the only team that plays with pressure, that trains with pressure, that sleeps with pressure, that eats with pressure, that thinks with pressure," Mexican national team director Guillermo Cantu said. "The other teams, they don't know what we go through."

Someday, the Americans are hoping, they will.

Listen to John P. Lopez weekdays from noon-3 p.m. on 790 AM. john.lopez at chron.com

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Simon says on Jun 25, 2007, 10:51:

"Mexico is the ONLY soccer team in the entire world, that gets to play before a home crowd, every time they play the US. "

Not really dude, once when I was visiting Miami, I went to a Colombia-US game at the Orange Bown. It was also a Gold cup game, in 2000 I think. Let me tell you, I'd say about 95% of the crowd was Colombian. It was a sea of yellow jerseys.

I bet if Colombia plays the US in New York it would be the same, a 'home crowd' for Colombia.

HERE'S SIMON!!!!

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Simon says on Jun 25, 2007, 10:52:

I meant Orange 'Bowl', damnit, where's the edit feature?

HERE'S SIMON!!!!

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Gomezman5 says on Jun 25, 2007, 11:11:

Clarification Simon...........that would happen in Miami, and also maybe New York. Those are large Colombian communities. In the case of Mexico, they would own the stadium no matter what city in the country they played in. If Mexico was playing the US in Decatur Illinois, such would be the case. If Colombia played the US in Decatur, Colombia would maybe have a thousand or so people. My point is form coast to coast, Mexico has an advantae no matter where they play. Even here in Chicago, I was at a Mexco / Colombia game some years back. The crowd was 95-98% Mexican and you had to look long and hard to find any Colombians

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Simon says on Jun 25, 2007, 11:16:

"Years ago, they used to hide these matches to parts of the country where there were not many Mexicans, but with so many of them here now.....that stategy will not work. The Mexicans are either already there in these remote areas, or they get in their cars and go to where the game is being played. Yesterday, plates form Montana, Nebraska, Oregon to the West, Georgia and Ten. to the South, and, just pick a few Eastern states, and you saw first hand the diversity."


Now that you mention that, I've always thought the lNS ('la Migra') would have a field day at a Mexico game!

Especially when they played Honduras the other week, man, they could easily have snatched 10,000 or 20,000 easily.

HERE'S SIMON!!!!

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Simon says on Jun 25, 2007, 11:21:

"Here in the US soccer is not all that big of a deal on the list of sports watched and supported, soccer falls far down the list to about 6th or 7th or maybe even lower, it places far below basketball, baseball and other sports played.
So to see the US beat mexico at our number 7 important sport and mexicos number 1 important sport,"

Hey Scotty,

You do recall it was Mexico who eliminated the US at the World Baseball Classic last year, dont'cha?

HERE'S SIMON!!!!

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manINred says on Jun 25, 2007, 11:50:

Mexico has had sub-par footie performances recently. Too bad, they obviously didn't play to their potential.

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Miguel_Clavo says on Jun 25, 2007, 13:31:

scotty is just upset with Mexico, and as such is on an anti-Mexican and Mexico torade, because after the new amnesty program is in effect, he may be working as a landscaper for some Mexicans......=)

"I would rather die living life, than to live a dying life."........ Oh, and my PM is always ON. Great Bumper Sticker: "Home of the Free, Because of the Brave"

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scotty says on Jun 26, 2007, 02:12:

Senor can i cut your grass and trim your trees, i work very cheap. what? no no senor i do not have a SS card, what? no no senor i do not have a driver license, what? no no senor i cannot take a check you have to pay me in cash. What?...taxes! I dont need to pay no stinking taxes!

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash

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