Top Stories

Olympic Qualifying: Mexico vs. Haiti (Running Commentary

Good evening folks. Tonight’s Mexico-Haiti match was supposed to be the dramatic must-win for Mexico, but Canada’s 5-0 win against Guatemala earlier today has made tonight’s match something altogether different.

It could very well be a funeral for Hugo Sanchez’s career as Mexico national team coach.

I will provide running commentary for the match, but please feel free to share your own thoughts and opinions on tonight’s match below.

Enjoy the match.

——————————–

FINAL- Mexico 5, Haiti 1. MEXICO IS OUT. NO OLYMPICS for MEXICO!!!!

——————————–

94th minute– PLACIDE SAVE to deny Landin, or as I like to call him, Juan Leno.

——————————–

93rd minute– Yes, a player on the Haiti bench just got a red card. This game is NUTS. And mexico needs one more goal.

——————————–

92nd minute– Mexico manages an offisde call, which will let Haiti waste more time.

——————————–

90th minute- GOAL MEXICO. Landin just made it 5-1 to Mexico thanks to another breakaway. Apparently Haiti is playing a 1-3-4 formation right now. Who paid off Haiti?

——————————–

88th minute- Would it be a stretch to call this the most ridiculous game of soccer in the history of the sport? Okay, maybe a bit of hyperbole, but this match is insane.

——————————–

86th minute– Not sure how the Haitian player got the red card in that exchange. We’re in for some serious stoppage time.

——————————–

84th minute– A scuffle breaks out (what a surprise) and the referee pulls out the red card on a Haitian player. This is getting ugly.

——————————–

83rd minute- GOAL MEXICO. What the heck is Haiti doing? That’s the second four on none break in three minutes. 4-1 Mexico. They need two more goals.

——————————–

82nd minute– WOW. Placide with an amazing save from point-blank range, which comes after Mexico blows a four-player breakaway.

——————————–

81st minute– The shot of Hugo Sanchez was priceless. He knows he is toast.

——————————–

80th minute– For those of you wondering, the last time Mexico failed to qualify for the Olympics was 1984.

——————————–

78th minute– SAVE HAITI. Placide saves the PK attempt from Vilaluz. WOW.

——————————–

77th minute– Mexico draws a penalty after a Haitian player kicks a Mexican in the face.

——————————–

76th minute– Anyone else think Mexico’s No. 9 could be Jay Leno’s half-Mexican son? What a chin on that kid.

——————————–

75th minute– Mexico misses an absolute tap-in. WOW.

——————————–

72nd minute– Sorry for missing the first 25 minutes of the second half. As you probably know, it’s 3-1 Mexico, meaning the Mexicans need three goals in 18 minutes to survive. Good luck.

——————————–

HALFTIME– Mexico 1, Haiti 0. Not nearly good enough for the Mexicans, who must find at least four more goals to advance to the Olympic qualifying semifinals.

——————————–

45th minute– Even with a man advantage, Mexico cannot find a second goal.

——————————–

42nd minute– Mexico just had a breakaway with numbers but couldn’t find the right combinations. The chances are there, but Mexico just isn’t finishing the plays off.

——————————–

39th minute– Johnny Placide, Haiti’s goalkeeper, has had a good showing tonight. He will be a hero to CONCACAF teams everywhere if he can keep it up.

——————————–

37th minute– Mexico is pouring on the pressure.

——————————–

36th minute– Hugo Sanchez makes a sub. You think he’s feeling the heat?

——————————–

35th minute– Mexico wastes a wide-open look. Can’t do that when you need to win by six goals.

——————————–

28th minute- A HAITI red card for a foul on the outside edge of the penalty area. It was a last man foul so it’s fair. NOW, things will get interesting.

——————————–

26th minute– tick, tick, tick.

——————————–

21st minute– Haiti with an EARLY sub. Who’s their coach, Javier Aguirre?

——————————–

17th minute- GOAL MEXICO. Villaluz with the header to make it 1-0. Only five more.

——————————–

13th minute– Mexico denied TWICE. The Haiti keeper makes an amazing save on the first, sending it off the bar, and the follow hits the crossbar. Mexico is cursed.

——————————–

10th minute– The begging for yellow cards is beyond annoying.

And Haiti doesn’t look too interest in attacking. They’re waiting for a counter.

——————————–

7th minute– Mexico trying the long shots already. This is a case where a young squad just doesn’t have the temperament to calmly approach a task like this.

——————————–

5th minute- You can sense the desperation from Mexico. They need to calm down if they’re going to find that early goal to break the ice.

Comments

  1. Brant:

    Did you see the game?

    It sounds like you are confusing the score with the quality of the defense. Did Man UTD have the opportunity to score at least 30 in that game, but didn’t because they missed chances you and I could have scored with ease?

    Reply
  2. “Lemuel:

    You saw a worse defense than that?”

    Hey – Newcastle gave up 11 goals to ManU across 2 halves and change… (6 goals in 2d half of one loss, and 5 goals in the 2d game)

    Usually if the question is: “have you ever seen a defense as bad as _________” the answer is almost always “Newcastle”.

    Reply
  3. kpugs:

    That’s the nicest thing you have ever said about me. Of course it’s also the only nice thing you’ve ever said about me.

    P.S.

    Although it appears that Ives agrees with you as well, I still say it’s ay-doo. 🙂

    Reply
  4. Coach:

    That was a typo on my part. I said:

    “Do you remember the assault by the German player on the french goalkeeper that wasn’t even punished, even though the whole world saw it? If that wasn’t a fix I don’t know what was.”

    I accidentally reversed it. (Too much posting tonight!)I meant to say ‘by the German goalkeeper on the French player”, not the other way around!

    However, you said:

    “Correct me if I’m wrong, but in ’86 didn’t the opposite happen, the German keeper decked the French striker on a breakaway?

    You were right about the opposite happening because as I said, I reversed it by mistake, but it was in 1982 and not 1986. I looked it up because I couldn’t believe I couldn’t remember the names of the players. It was Harald (a$$hole) Schumacher and Patrick Battiston. Here is an article fragment:

    Schumacher Poleaxes Battiston

    One of the game’s most talked about moments came soon after the break. A sickening collision between the German keeper and Patrick Battiston outside the penalty area left the French player unconscious and Schumacher preening in front of enraged France supporters who boiled over when referee Charles Corver took no action.

    Schumacher left his box and had no way of stopping Battiston so he just blatantly assaulted him. Incredulously no red card and not even a foul was called. Even though the great France team that this was recovered from this and took the lead, this moment decided the game. Germany should have been down to 10 men. It was one of the most nauseating moments in soccer history for me. I almost stopped being a fan after this world cup. I’m surprised you could have enjoyed a world cup where to of the greatest teams the world has ever seen unjustly didn’t make it to the final. I am sure that would have been the best world cup final ever. Instead we got boring thug Germany and lucky Italy. Were you a fan of one of those two teams? That would certainly explain it. I guess.

    Reply
  5. Final P.P.S. I still think right now that Tab Ramos was the best American player ever, or at the very least would have been if he didn’t have his head knocked around in 1994. I’m not a crazy RBNY fan claiming that Jozy=Jesus.

    Reply
  6. Alex, I’m white so you’ll have to just trust me on this, but I’m not racist. In fact my hatred for Mexico only exists in soccer, and it is a response to personal encounters with Mexican fans.

    Also, no offense to CONMEBOL but despite what the “genius” FIFA rankings say, neither the USA nor Mexico has anyone to fear in that region outside of Brazil or Argentina. Back in the day Colombia was included. For the most part though. CONMEBOL is a joke, the same way CONCACAF is outside of the top 2-4 teams.

    Reply
  7. Aristotle: I really respect you as a poster man. The way you post is great, because we have disagreed so much but at the same time you explain your points very well. So I’m glad we finally agreed on something.

    Christian: You are the man. I am definitely not claiming that all Mexican fans are like this. I am only saying that from what I have witnessed on tv and read about, and most importantly interacted with AT games, I unfortunately have only encounted the type I described. I have experienced pure hate for no reason–at MLS games that are not internationals. Purely because they are fans of Mexico. I really enjoy your comments and I totally believe you when you say there are reasonable fans of the team. I simply haven’t met any, ever.

    Scott: There was something I wanted to write for you. After writing the first two parts I can’t remember. All I’ll say is that your point on Jozy earlier is very conservative and that is extremely easy to take such a point at this stage.

    That is totally fine with me, as long as you don’t crap on the people who realize he’s a two-season pro in MLS and only 18. Saying “who knows” what will happen is like saying the sky is blue. The fact is, at 18, he is amongst the top forwards in his league. So we found out he can only play as the loan striker with more midfield support. Big whoop. Add him to the list of hundreds of other strikers, some the best in the world, who are the same way. The fact is, Red Bulls fan or not, this very second it looks like he might be the best ever American soccer player. That can also be said for Adu and several others. But there is no taboo in saying it. In my personal opinion what you are saying about him is like you teaching us how to spell “the.” A very, very safe opinion and one that no matter what happens will enable you to say “I always thought that” at the end of the day.

    Please don’t take that the wrong way either, because they way you phrased it is totally legit. I am not taking a dump on you in the least, simply stating my opinion, and obviously I am a big fan of all fellow posters on this site.

    Reply
  8. haha. I’m actually an “el tri” supporter myself. I like the USMNT as well but I have my preference to the mexican team. I like to follow up on the issues here though, while some of the things I read are a little disturbing I like to think that most of you are just being enthusiast fans and not racist. and about d US moving to the conmebol, c’mon stop dreaming. both mexico and the us would struggle. if I’m not mistaken the conmebol has Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Too tough for either. At least Argentina and Brazil are by far.

    Reply
  9. Nah thank you Ives, you provide such a great medium for us to share and discuss frustrations and joy alike. I know it’s all love around here no matter what, we’re all footie fans first and foremost and I really try to look past the sour part of our rivalry and enjoy the sporting side.

    I gotta say though, I LOVE the beautiful game although I feel like a$$ right now.

    Reply
  10. BTW, Mexi Melts needed TWO more gols to go through. ESPN Deportes even put up a graphic saying so in the dying minutes.

    Talk about yer march madness! whoah.

    I hear Chaipas is nice this time of year, Hugo, enjoy the vacation.

    Reply
  11. Way O/T now, but for me ’82 was the most exciting WC b/c you had group play in the second round as opposed to inferior teams playing for penalties in the knockout stages in tournaments since then.

    Reply
  12. Aristotle, yeah that semi was a heartbreaker. As good as the recent France teams have been, on their day, that 80s France team was as good as I’ve seen. That particular game wasn’t a fix, but you could argue Germany shouldn’t have gotten past the first round if it weren’t for the handshake agreement with Austria.

    Correct me if I’m wrong, but in ’86 didn’t the opposite happen, the German keeper decked the French striker on a breakaway?

    Reply
  13. My heart is breaking for this goalkeeper. What the hell is wrong with his team? Did someone just slip Haiti some money?

    Reply
  14. Coach:

    I wish you hadn’t brought that up! You caused a flood of bad memories to come back to me regarding that world cup, not to mention another possible “conspiracy”.

    I remember how the French and Brazilians were the best two teams at that world cup, hands down. Yet, the dream final that should have been was ruined by horrible luck and carelessness (overconfidence?) on the Brazilian vs Italy side, and a shocking lapse, and one of the most disgraceful plays I have ever seen in the world cup, on the Germany vs France side. Do you remember the assault by the German player (name?) on the french goalkeeper that wasn’t even punished even though the whole world saw it? If that wasn’t a fix I don’t know what was. That game is more symbolic than anything else I can think of to demonstrate how “do anything to win” (cheat?) teams that play ugly soccer (a lot of the time) beat the better skilled and classier teams who play the beautiful game.

    Reply
  15. And Christian, it’s also nice to see MLS (and RBNY) fans who aren’t necessarily USMNT supporters. It’s not like every Bundesliga fan is a German nat’l team supporter or La Liga fan a Spanish nat’l team supporter, etc.

    Reply
  16. Coach:

    That’s really funny that you mentioned that! I actually thought about that exact same event before I posted, but it still didn’t seem as ridiculous as this to me. At least in that game they tried to make it look good to some extent, and you got the feeling that it could at least have been an unspoken agreement.

    Reply
  17. Christian, thank you for sticking around and being a part of the running commentary. It really adds something to the conversation to have Mexican fans here. I know it wasn’t easy, between the stuff on the field and the ribbing from the readers here, so thanks for sticking it out.

    Reply
  18. well I’m sorry that some of you guys have been mistreated by mexican fans, I know some of my countrymen can be idiots and the whole osama thing is unexcusable but hey, there are idiots everywhere. I myself have been in a few situations with Sams Army guys but I know not all you guys are the same…eh whatever, no sour grapes on my part, I dont think we deserved to go thru anyway.

    Reply
  19. if Guatamela “let up” at all to fix it, they sure didn’t do the greatest job.

    One of the Ricketts goals was unstoppable.

    Another goal was probably not even a goal, since it barely cross the line but the ref called it a goal.

    Reply
  20. To add to the Mexico fan comments: I have been treated disgustingly by quite a few Mexicans because I’m American or support US Soccer. I have gotten this from that group more than any other group so I think the generalization may have a basis in fact. However, I have also met some amazing and good-hearted Mexican fans who I count as good friends. I won’t stoop to the level and wouldn’t be a jerk to someone for supporting El Tri. But if I receive it first, I’m gonna give it back.

    Reply
  21. Aristotle, it’s certainly not out of the realm of possibility, I just think it’s more like what Modibo mentioned: even when the game got out of reach, I just think the Haitians were more interested in creating individual moments of glory, since defending isn’t sexy.

    These are for the most part, immature players, after all.

    Since we’re on the subject though, my vote for most blatant conspiracy was the Germany-Austria nil draw in the ’82 W.C.

    Reply
  22. “LA GALLINAS VERDES DE GUADALAJARA” are out….Fuera…..Conichiwa…?????….????(something in german) THe game was clearly fixed, christian needs to open his eyes and stop listening to that fat man in his living room eating chalupas

    Reply
  23. Sorry Ives, I knew what you were saying and wasn’t trying to correct you, I was just identifying him if you didn’t know who it was. It’s difficult to express yourself in text haha. There is definitely a resemblance

    Reply
  24. Joamiq:

    You’re absolutely right. If they were going to be “tired”, AND not counter, they should have stayed back and helped their goalkeeper. Who would do that to their own goalkeeper?

    I also don’t get the Guatemala comparison. Guatemala just did what was in their best interest. They took it easy so that they would be well rested and as injury free as possible for the semifinals. How many teams wouldn’t have done that? Plus it helped get rid of Mexico. I’m sure the Guatemala game was nothing like this farce. There is a big difference.

    Reply
  25. Wow, what a game folks. Thanks to all of you that took part in the running commentary. and Scott, I know 9 was Landin, Leno was my take on him looking like Jay Leno’s illegitimate son.

    Reply
  26. kpugs:

    Much to my surprise, I agree with you. Of course there are Mexican fans that aren’t like that, but where are they? When you see whole crowds acting together, and see it time after time, you are not supposed to at least make a generalization?

    Reply
  27. Anyone who didn’t see this game, it should be up soon on ESPN360. I’m going to watch that second half again. I still can’t believe what I saw. I’m going to try to convince myself that the Haitian defenders weren’t trying to fix it, but I don’t know if I’ll be able to do so. Why did they go out of their way to try to make horrendous tackles that would draw cards and penalties? If they were tired, why did they just stand around at midfield, rather than standing around in their own box? There was no attempt to counter. I am just astounded.

    Reply
  28. Dante:

    Actually the Black Sox Scandal was a little AFTER my time. Seriously, I uh….. just saw the movie. Yea, that’s it. I saw the movie.

    Reply
  29. Woohoo! Screw you and your stupid tri Mexico.

    I know there are definitely Mexican fans out there who aren’t filled with hate. But I’ve never met them nor seen them on TV. Chanting “Osama” in Columbus was pretty bad. And that turned out to be the tip of the iceberg.

    I deal with it every time a Mexican player plays in Giants stadium. It’s getting a bit old for me, it’s like they have absolutely no idea that we own them (for now, and obviously we haven’t owned them for as long as they owned us, I realize that).

    The first Fire @ RBNY last year with Blanco…these guys hated me and didn’t even know me, just because I support U.S. soccer. It is absurd, and if I start reacting to them in the same manner I simply view it as their own fault for egging me on.

    Reply
  30. To add to the absurdity…

    Denver and their 168 points are not even a playoff team.

    Sounds like something fishy was going on at the HDC… and i’m not talking about Ruiz. I wish I could have seen this game. Glad to see Mexico knocked out and i’d be even more glad if the US can dispatch Canada.

    Reply
  31. To add to the absurdity…

    Denver and their 168 points are not even a playoff team.

    Sounds like something fishy was going on at the HDC… and i’m not talking about Ruiz. I wish I could have seen this game. Glad to see Mexico knocked out and i’d be even more glad if the US can dispatch Canada.

    Reply
  32. That’s a fair point by Christian.

    You have to talk about the fact that Guatemala appeared to have laid down for Canada (I did not see that one), which is bad. It led to Mexico having to win by five goals in the first place.

    Reply
  33. I don’t know about this consipiracy theory stuff either… I mean, if you’re haiti, you come in thinking you need to win to advance.

    Haiti was not sitting around thinking about keeping the score down or running out the clock – won’t make a difference if they lose 2-1 or 5-1. But if they could put in another goal, there would be some individual glory to claim. Defending well against the Mexican offense wouldn’t get anyone any personal accolades… except for the keeper of course, who has little chance of getting an assist let alone a goal. I just think Haiti was all about the counter in the second half. They were never packing the box or really trying to get men behind the ball… then they got tired and couldn’t be bothered to defend.

    Reply
  34. Coach:

    No one said they threw the game from the start. If they had done that there would have been a new scoring record, despite the goalkeeper.

    Also, moral obligation? What about your own self respect and dignity? Sportsmanship?

    Those players do not deserve to be on the same field as that goalkeeper.

    One more thing. There have been plenty of real conspiracies or fixes in soccer, and none of them looked anywhere near as much as being a fix than this one!

    Reply
  35. All I’m saying guys is, don’t lump all the mexican fans into the same category because we all know there are rotten apples on both side of fence.

    As for the conspiracy theories….I dunno guys, I think Haiti was playing for the counter and they just started bunkering and couldn’t really string an attack together except for a few chances. The same could be said for the Guatemala-Canada game…I mean did you see those Guatemal fans celebrating a 5-0 loss? I mean, who does that?

    god….I really can’t believe what just happened…ugh

    Reply
  36. Christian:

    I understand what you are saying, but Mexico has always been worse to us than we have to them. The things they said about Landon Donovan alone, were sickening, and they were dead serious! Most of the people here were just being fans and may have gotten a little carried away. It is soccer.

    Reply

Leave a Reply to alex Cancel reply