Photo by ISIphotos.com
Good evening folks. I have made it back to the United States and am ready to get back on the grind on Friday, but first I wanted to go over a few things (including a big thank you to SBI correspondent Travis Clark for holding things down on SBI while I traveled back from Mexico City).
Before we get into some USA-Mexico items, I wanted to let all of you who have written in to join the SBI Fantasy EPL League know that I will be sending out invitations late Thursday and throughout Friday. Yes, it's late in the game, but you should already have your team registered and built by now on the league's website.
Now, onto some more USA-Mexico. For those of you who didn't read it, here is my follow-up on the USA-Mexico match, with five winners and losers from the match. And if you're wondering about the Charlie Davies photo, check out the jump.
For a good take on what things were like at Estadio Azteca, check out this piece from Yahoo's Martin Rogers.
Along those lines of the ridiculous fan behavior at Azteca, I found one ironic moment from Wednesday night. As I watched the first of several hours of post-match coverage on Spanish TV, I came across highlights of a Cubs-Phillies game where they showed a Cubs fan spilling a beer on Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino. One of the TV anchors castigated the fan, calling him dirty. Was there any such commentary in the USA-Mexico game coverage, where far worse happened? Not so much.
And for those of you asking, yes I was one of the journalists who enjoyed a shower of beer. I should note that the impromptu beer shower was more a reaction of Mexico fans throwing beers in the air in celebration of Miguel Sabah's game-winning goal then people actually targeting the American media. At least I'd like to think that (if not, they've got some pretty bad aim).
Speaking of fans, lots of credit goes out to all the American fans who made the trip to the cauldron that is Estadio Azteca. Some estimates had more than 500 American fans in attendance. I had the good fortune of meeting fans from, among other states, Tennessee, California, North Carolina, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Texas and of course the boys from New York/New Jersey, who are always the loudest group in any gathering of U.S. national team fans.
Among the best headlines I saw in the Mexican newspapers following Wednesday's match was one that simply read, "Not Here." I also found one full-page ad for a health club chain interesting, it read in big letters, "The American Dream is dead." Gotta love hyperbole.
One of the more disappointment things about Wednesday's game? The fact that Charlie Davies didn't get to finish doing his version of the 'Carlton Dance' as his new goal celebration. Not familiar with 'The Carlton Dance'? Here is one of the most hilarious dances of our time:
Speaking of Davies, he was the darling of the Mexican media in most post-match analysis on TV and in print. The speedy striker was impressive and had pundits wondering if we haven't met the new American star. One analyst went so far as to say, "Imagine if he had gotten more service? Who knows what would have happened?" Indeed.
That's all for now. SBI will be back in the swing of things on Friday so be sure to get back into your routine of following the world of soccer, and American soccer, here on SBI.
Feel free to share your thoughts on any of the above items in the comments section below.
From all of the comments I have seen so far in many different soccer blogs and forums it is clear that The US Soccer team lacks the poise,the guts, and the mental toughness to win on the road against middle or good level opponents such as Mexico, Argentina,Brazil,Germany,Italy or any other european team who practices a mid level soccer, when visiting those national teams and when facing tough local environments.
Is there a concacaf official willing to red card Mexico for head blows and how will El Tri react if it happens?
great article ives… fair and balanced.. like fox news
FIFA needs to step in on the beer throwing. Empty house for further instances. Reffing was poor.
I heard on ESPN that the guy from the Phillies game turned himself into police, and the player is pressing charges.
Your fans vomit and piss in cups and then throw them. Bunch of losers
our B team of Mexico beat your A team USA … hahahaha bunch of losers !!!
Bunch of animals
El Tri will have to play much better to beat Honduras and Costa Rica. The USA had just three players going all-out, Howard, Davies, and Gooch the man of the match by a mile. One disturbing trend is the officiating. In Mexico’s past two games they had 4 possible red card events and in all four not even a foul was called. Three blows to the face and one to the stomach and no cards. The region must consider outside officials for qualifiers.
To the person who points out that fans act badly in Philly and London … True that. But nobody said the Mexican fans who engaged in the abusive actions were the only animals around. Doesn’t mean they didn’t act like animals. It deserves to be called that in all circumstances where such behavior manifests itself.
Mob mentality is part of the human condition. In Mexico, though, it seems like there is an enormous gap between the humble attitude of a single mexicano and a mob like the 114,000 at Azteca. On the one hand you have the overly self-effacing lone mexicano who peppers his speech with such phrases as “si dios quiere” (god willing), “para servirle” (at your service, ie you’re welcome) and “quien sabe” (who knows?). I don’t know how many you have to get together to reach the tipping point, but at some level suddenly you get the formation of a beer-throwing, anthem-booing lot.
I’m not saying they should always be the former. I mean, stand up for yourself when you have to. But they should aim for a middle ground. Neither approach does them justice.
I wonder if the sun and shadow had an influence in Holden’s cross to Davies. The cross came from the shadow and into sun right about the edge of the goal box. Which didn’t give davies a whole lot of time to refocus. Just a thought that occurred to me watching it live and thinking how much that affects baseball players.
JMO,
Nice, albeit long, discussion. I was once at a Giants/Eagles game at the old Veteran stadium favoring a NY shirt. Not only did Philly fans threaten to beat me up, they were making inappropriate (shall I say ethnic) comments as well. Another time I was at my beloved Highbury in London watching Arsenal/Liverpool game when I was stunned hearing racial comments made by fellow gunners fans against non-white players.
Of course I am not condoning the act of Mexican fans, but we all need to take thing in perspective.
It’s been said, but I’d like to have seen Jozy and Davies start. Bring Ching later in the game if you are going to bunker down. Davies’ dances are hilarious. If he keeps running and working, he will be a star. Here’s a Hammarby locker room dance if you have not seen it before: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FB7tROArfvU
Great job Ives as always. Way to take one for the team down there in Azteca. You got the #1 soccer blog out there my man!