Meetings between the Mexican national team and Panama are always heated, but Thursday night’s clash in the CONCACAF Gold Cup took the rivalry to new, uglier levels.
Fan violence in the stands and clashes on the field turned the match into an ugly encounter as three red cards and one very unfortunate intervention by Mexican head coach Javier Aguirre (and his subsequent ejection) transformed the match into a farce. The final result was 1-1, but both teams lost in the grand scheme of things.
For those who missed it, here are some of the highlights:
Lost in the wake of the ugly Mexico-Panama match was Guadeloupe’s 2-0 victory against Nicaragua, which secured Guadeloup’s place in the semis. Now the unbeaten French territory will face Mexico on Sunday with first place in the group on the line.
What did you think of last night’s match? Were you impressed with Guadelope’s victory against NIcaragua? will you be rooting for Guadeloupe against Mexico in their final group game?
Share your thoughts below.
Christian,
You are such a MNT fanboy. Your first post is about Donovan in 2004? when the story is about Mexico imploding in 2009?
Until Mexico admits it has slipped they are the 3rd-4th best team in the Concacaf.
Ochoa Classy. As are Pardo & Salcido. I’ll even give Marquez a pass for recent behaviors…in 2002 he was in idiot. Against Timmeh this year he lost his cool in a game… way more understandable than the Paco Ramirez skulking in the hall-way awaiting Hejduk…then being rewarded with the head job at America….that is the type of reward for behaviors that the MNT has.
Unless my math is wrong:
If U.S. beats/draws Haiti
AND
If Mexico loses to Guadeloupe
AND
If Panama beats Nicaragua by 2+ goals
THEN
U.S. vs. Mexico next Saturday @ Philly
Mastro and others who said that Aguirre has a history of attacking players…when else has he done it? I’m not saying he hasn’t, I’m just curious because I don’t know about anything else he’s done
JAVIER AGUIRRE “”EL VASCO”” HEAD MEXICAN COACH…….HAVE STORY OF ATTACK Rivals PLAYERS…..TYPICAL ANIMAL GUY
The attempts to squash criticism of Aguirre, El Tri and their fans are counter productive. There is something wrong with this organization that runs deep. I and many others thought Aguirre would bring El Tri back to civility, but their system seems broken beyond repair. From poor sportsmanship (the only team I know that constantly disrespects the other players and countries), to Nery, Marquez, and Oswaldo going berserk, to assistant off field attacks, to Aguirre inserting himself on the field of play. There is something rotten in Denmark. Silence is not the answer or cure.
Man it’s sad to see Mexico sink this low. I still have respect for a lot of their players.
I think their desperation and frustration for their poor form finally boiled over. They have too many talented players to be getting these type of results. I believe they need a coach who can instill some iron clad discipline from the top down and not crack under the pressure.
If Mexico doesn’t beat the US in Azteca, Aguirre will have to live the rest of his life(if he still has one) in a mile deep bunker.
I must say that I have respect for Ochoa though, he seems like a good guy. I have never seen him act in a bad manner.
Is there a team with less class in the World then Mexico? From the coach down to the players they always are poor losers and they always make excuses when the lose. God I love beating them.
Tim R, you may not think it’s that big a deal but urinating on the Estadio Jalisco pitch is/was/and will be seen as a huge sign of disrespect because of what that stadium means to Mexican Soccer.
There’s no American equivalent because of the short history of American Soccer so I don’t expect you to understand but don’t try to sweep it under the rug.
Estadio Jalisco is not a bathroom.
Posted by: Christian | July 10, 2009 at 11:55 AM
I had a feeling that you were Mexican, no wonder why you were hating on Onyewu the other day.
BWL-
I must have missed the part where Bellichick had Brady throw a D cell battery at Ratgini. That was more about poaching players, staff, and playbooks and all the “agressor” did was not shake the other guys hand after a game.
(Which we all know is the same as saying “frak your mother” in the No Fun League.)
Posted by: Mason
lol, thanks for the chuckle.
It’s sad to say this but this is why Mexicans are quickly becoming the bottom of the totem pole among Latin Americas.
Yea, yea, you have a little money, bla, bla, bla. But in the end, even if you have the biggest house on the block, you’re still a Mexican. Sad but true with the unforunate incidents happening not only in footy but in overall current events with the escalating drug war, immigration, etc.
Not a white boy here, a realistic Latin American feeling for my Mexican brothers.
BWL-
I must have missed the part where Bellichick had Brady throw a D cell battery at Ratgini. That was more about poaching players, staff, and playbooks and all the “agressor” did was not shake the other guys hand after a game.
(Which we all know is the same as saying “frak your mother” in the No Fun League.)
You guys just focus too much on what Mexico does. Let them suck and be miserable. You guys are acting like a group of people who have always been oppressed, now you see some hope and thing we are the best. I care more about the US not winning than Mexico losing. You guys are becoming what you guys criticize.
Frank enjoys throwing the word racist around. I’ve seen him do it countless times. Makes him feel better about himself. Pay him no mind.
Let’s think of some ways Mexican football has disgraced itself: chanting Osama to the US, various elbows including the one on Cobi Jones, Marquez’s kick to Howard, Sanchez’s slide on EJ, throwing batteries and urine bags countless times, the slap on Frankie, Aguirre in this game, the fans in this game fighting and throwing garbage as has been seen many times, and I’m sure I’m missing something
Note: I have nothing against Mexicans and many are wonderful people but there is a trend with the soccer
yes, I realize Knight was not in the NFL (he says sheepishly)
It is time that Mexican teams are banned from playing inside the United States BEFORE someone gets killed. Just a matter of time now.
If nothing else the folks on the hook for liability are not going to take kindly to Mexico and its fans.
Wow this discussion has completely lost its focus. The fact that the Mexican national team and its coach keep disrespecting the game, the players, the refs and fans on US soil over and over without punishment. I mean seriously what is wrong with these guys. From Sanchez, Marquez, their classless fans, their assistant coach and now even the HEAD COACH!!!!What happened to playing a game and leaving it all on the field and moving on. This crap needs to end am so sick and tired of it. No wonder people dont like soccer in this country, if crap like this happens in the NFL the coach’s career is probably over. Just plain stupidity! Mexico should just move to South American region, completely sickened by them.
Posted by: Galaxian
Well, to some degree “crap like that” DOES happen in the NFL (I am enlarging your original intent to the whole of fandom and coaching in the NFL, my apologies). Bobby Knight. Philly Eagle fans. Belichick/Mangini. There is some crap and rancor and unprofessionalism there, is my point.
However, urine bags and the rest are thankfully NOT there.
Wow this discussion has completely lost its focus. The fact that the Mexican national team and its coach keep disrespecting the game, the players, the refs and fans on US soil over and over without punishment. I mean seriously what is wrong with these guys. From Sanchez, Marquez, their classless fans, their assistant coach and now even the HEAD COACH!!!!What happened to playing a game and leaving it all on the field and moving on. This crap needs to end am so sick and tired of it. No wonder people dont like soccer in this country, if crap like this happens in the NFL the coach’s career is probably over. Just plain stupidity! Mexico should just move to South American region, completely sickened by them.
Maybe it’s time to change your stereotypes.
Posted by: chupacabra
Not sure in what tone you are saying this. Cheekily, educationally, or condescending?
As a US fan – I want every advantage over our most skilled rival. BUT I don’t want a non-CONCACAF team (Guadaloupe) beating the best teams in our region.
Posted by: Tim R | July 10, 2009 at 11:38 AM
Guadeloupe is a CONCACAF team. It is just because the area is considered a region of France, it is not eligible for the World Cup.
Mike
Just as El Tri players went through a bad patch of bad behavior (see Nery and Oswaldo), the coaching staff seems to have been similarly infected. Aguirre’s clear attempt to impede the Panama player follows the after game assault on Hjeduk in the tunnel. Punishment should be swift and should include the assistant that joined in the melee.
Perhaps playing so many ‘home’ games has given the team and staff a self confidence that borders on arrogance.
The funny part is that what we Americans consider classless, other countries consider passion. This happens in many countries like, Argentina, Brazil, England, Spain, Italy and so many others. Some guys just don’t have a passion for soccer. And we should not attack Mexico so much, Lets show some class ourselves. All I see in this forum is hate towards Mexico. Disappointing.
===
I don’t care what your skin tone, race, ethnicity or nationality is, there are some things that are just universal:
-Passion is singing, cheering, and chanting.
-Thuggery is throwing bottles, batteries and beer.
There was a lot of the former last night, but far too much of the latter.
Finally, coaches have no place touching, much less kicking, opposing players. Nothing good will come of it, so just don’t do it. Don’t try to explain it away, and don’t try to justify it. The technical area exists for a reason: To keep the technical staff in it’s place, and out of the players space.
@JCC, I put up Aguirre’s quote early this morning.
Ummm Daniel, it’s because we hate Mexico. And I wouldn’t consider what they do in Mexico passion. And what’s disappointing is the fact that this Mexican third world soccer ‘passion’ is being brought into the United States. Throw your beer and blow your horns back in Mexico.
@Mason–Unless I missed something, I think that Christian was just recounting the story. I didn’t take it as any melodrama at all. Just like I don’t think anyone would take you recounting the Ramirez story as being melodramatic if someone was asking about an “incident”.
====
If it were during a match, and in full view, it’s a Caution, but like AI said, we’re talking about practice. I can’t count the number of times I’ve been on training pitches and run off to a fenceline or conveniently located tree to take a leak. If you’re maintaining proper hydrations, you should NEED to do so. Whining about a player doing so on some bushes or in the corner of a stadium during a training session as if it’s some great “disrespecting” is creating drama where there is none. Sometimes taking a leak is taking a leak and nothing more. Making it into more is melodramatic, as is the very discussion over it. It’s a false contraversey. Afterall… It’s not like it was his celebration after he scored a goal or something…
The funny part is that what we Americans consider classless, other countries consider passion. This happens in many countries like, Argentina, Brazil, England, Spain, Italy and so many others. Some guys just don’t have a passion for soccer. And we should not attack Mexico so much, Lets show some class ourselves. All I see in this forum is hate towards Mexico. Disappointing.
I fear for our players and coaches in August.
jtd–you probably know this and were speaking figuratively, but “ugly American” refers to the loud and self-absorbed way Americans are perceived as having absolutely no cultural sensitivity in their global travels.
Incidentally, Germans have been called the “Americans of Europe” in their expansive travel habits, but perhaps not so much for their “ugliness”, which seems an American phenonmenon.
I am speaking as a US born citizen who lives stateside. I just grew up in Germany, from age 8 to 15.
🙂
Posted by: BlueWhiteLion
Hi BlueWhiteLion – here is some reading material for you:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8143780.stm
‘Rude’ French are worst tourists
French tourists are the worst in the world, coming across as penny-pinching, rude and terrible at languages, according to a new survey . . .
“France’s rivals for the world’s “worst tourist” tag, Spaniards and Greeks, came near the bottom of the pack in almost every category. ”
Maybe it’s time to change your stereotypes.
tonyt and christian are such gomers. if either of you has either played in a high level match you would realize the amounts of liquid you drink in preparation for 90 hard minutes and it is quite common for guys to have to pee all the way up until right before the match and to not have time to find a restroom.