Photo by ISIphotos.com
It is the U.S. men's national team's house of horrors, one of the more daunting places to play around the world. And it looms Wednesday night.
The U.S. men's national team has never won at the storied Estadio Azteca, and despite bringing a less-than-full-strength squad to Mexico City for Wednesday night's friendly against El Tri, the challenge remains the same: Finally put a "1" in the "W" part of the W-L-T column that current reads 0-8-1 all-time at Azteca, 0-19-1 all-time in Mexico City and 0-23-1 all-time on Mexican soil.
“We’re all aware of that. It’s something we get excited for," Maurice Edu told USSoccer.com. "It’s going to be a crazy environment. It’s one of the biggest games for us, and we use that as our own personal motivation. If we get a win here, it’s a big deal for us, and that’s what we’re all looking to do on Wednesday night.”
Edu, who could be given his first run out at centerback since an October, 2010, friendly against Poland, is one of the many Americans on the roster who has yet to experience playing at the 105,000-seat venue, where the home supporters are as ferocious as the opposition. In fact, the only players from the last meeting at Azteca, a World Cup qualifier in 2009, to be included on the current roster are Landon Donovan and Tim Howard.
“Any time that we play in Azteca, it’s pretty raucous, but I think that it will be a pretty exciting night," said Donovan, who has scored five goals in 14 career games against El Tri but none on Mexican soil.
The overall unfamiliarity with the venue is just another factor that is necessary for the U.S. men to take into account, especially across the back line. Geoff Cameron has had a whirlwind month after his transfer saga to join Stoke City finally got completed, and he'll add this to his plate as one of the expected starters.
“The feel and the pressure of the crowd on top of you. It’s loud and it’s hard to hear each other on the field and that’s one thing we’re going to have to deal with," Cameron said. "We’ve got a bunch of new guys, so there’s going to be a lot of communication that we’re going to have to deal with.”
The U.S. men have yet to face Mexico since left back Fabian Johnson, who is tasked with trying to shut down the likes of Pablo Barrera and Andres Guardado, was integrated into the national team, and all he has to use as a reference point are stories from teammates.
“In Germany there are just a few stadiums that are close to this big," Johnson said. "In Dortmund, there is a stadium that holds 80,000. I think Jurgen said this one holds about 110,000. That’s crazy. I’ve never played in front of a crowd like that. I’m happy to be here and not a lot of players get to play in front of this big of a crowd.”
If there is another voice of experience that can lend a hand on how to attempt to combat the sea of green in the crowd, it is U.S. assistant coach Martin Vasquez, who entered as a late substitute in the 0-0 World Cup qualifying draw at Azteca in November, 1997, the only game the U.S. men have not lost at the arena.
Another player who can speak from experience is DaMarcus Beasley, who is closing in on the hallowed 100-cap mark for his career. The 30-year-old Beasley played for the U.S. national team at Azteca in 2005, a 2-1 loss and one of just four games there that the U.S. managed to score a goal.
"The guys are ready, and they know what’s at stake," Beasley said. "They know it’s Mexico; they know it’s Azteca. That’s all the motivation they need to put on a good performance on Wednesday.”
Nice trip down memory lane.
Say, what ever happened to Charlie Davies?
Oh, yeah. *sigh*
I think you should count on being snug in your bed at a nice early time.
Barra Brava at RFK should not be confused with El Tri fans. It was founded by Bolivians and supports DCU, a US team, and that includes their games against Mexican teams. I’ve never seen Barra Brava throw urine, vomit and beer at the visiting players or fans.
in case anyone, like myself, wanted to re live that:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjprunNnFl4&noredirect=1
Agree on the “win-win” angle.
We must also remember that US teams (FCD & Seattle) have won in Mexico since the last time the Nats played there.
Everyone knows it can be done now. Maybe this isn’t the group to bank on, but it’s certainly possible.
The 1998 qualifier against Mex at the Azteca, the one T tick in the column was FRIGGIN EPIC. Jeff Agoof got red carded for being an aß and then we played with 10 men for the next 85 minutes or so. We tied that 0:0 and all of those dudes on the field for the US were heroes. Even Lalas that dope.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzAYdlO5o6s
Speaking about class, what about those fans who were chanting “this is for Pearl Harbor” after the US womens team victory over Japan?
On the upside we get our younger generation more aclimated to Azteca. We need to get younger players competing Internationally. **shrug**
Man, everyone is so frightened. I’ve been to three US v Mex games, two US v EL Sal games, as well as US v Guat games, US v Honduras games. Some yelling and throwing junk, but what am I gonna do…sit home and play with my Holly Hobby EZ Bake Oven or ride my Sit and Spin?
YOU CAN ACT LIKE A MAN!
We only throw beer on each other. But that’s probably because the away team fans are far away. Also, who complains because they got beer on them!? Vomit, urine, bottles, etc. is too much though.
I’m also a Raiders fan. lol
that wasn’t beer…
Ha! Antics…
C’mon people, don’t be scared little girls.
I was wondering – were you there?
A lot of the Mexican players play at altitude since most of the cities are at elevation. It’s a big help if half your team is acclimated.
why didn’t Clarence Goodson or Gooch get a call-up
I’ve lived in Southern California and Arizona for just about my entire life and once thought about making the trip down for a Mexico game. I decided not to for the same reason I don’t vacation in Afghanistan.
yeah, but he’ll have to fight for playing time with our other five CBs of the future.
They play a possession game, and inevitably do less running than the US players. At least that would be my best guess.
To be fair…after watching the behind the scenes of our last game there in 2009, after they score they throw beer on themselves. They just get into it and lose it when they score.
You heard it here first – The CB of the future for the USMNT, Will Packwood, got his first start for Birmingham City today in the center of defense for their Capital One Cup game vs Barnet.
Between CCL and this, Mexico versus US is among the greatest rivalries in sports right now.
The US national team is going to need to step it up to keep it that way.
I miss Bob’s intensity ;[
Cha-ching, Cha-ching
I never understood how playing at high altitude helps the Mexican team, it’s not like they all play in altitude all the time.
It was an intense experience in LA.
Agreed. I would be scared to travel to Mexico. From what I heard about the Gold Cup final, it was scary enough in Los Angeles.
Guess this is as good a time as any to relive our last Azteca experience. This behind-the-scenes look is excellent and Jay DeMerit in an oxygen mask is a fearsome sight.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMIZz1HR3_c&feature=plcp
LOL that never happened
It took place at Estadio Jalisco and it was a few dozen people who chanted that.
The rest of the crowd booed them and security escorted them outside.
Just in case you’re wondering, I was there.
+1. The whole play, top to bottom, was a beaut….Bradley, to a curling Donovan, to a sprinting Davies that had found a real “hueco” in the defense. Two perfect touches later, then Charlie unleashes a curling beauty past Ochoa. Celebration travels to the corner flag, where Charlie channels his inner American Idol and Bradley taunts the crowd. Garbage begins to rain down. Truly one of the greatest moments I’ve witnessed.
“Goooooooolazo! De Estados Unidos! LO HIZO CHARLIE DAVIES!!”
“a few bad apples” is quite incorrect. how about when the ENTIRE stadium was chanting “Osama Bin Laden is hiding here” just a few weeks after 9/11. that is incredibly classless and truly pathetic. it’s not as though just one section of fans throws things, like the minority of hooligans at European games, it happens all over the stadium and every time we go to take a corner kick. P.S., there’s four corners of the pitch which encompasses the whole field, therefore the whole stadium
You were bombarded with cups of vomit, urine “and more” at a Raider game?
$$$$$$$
+1
That Charlie Davies goal the last time around in Azteca was a thing of beauty. Oh what should have been!
I can’t see that Klinsman has set us up to tie let alone win on this one. We have a bunch of National Team trailists who have one day together to work out everything, because I can guarantee they won’t be able to communicate on the field, and there is no centerback on the roster. In Azteca.
But I don’t want to jinx anything so forget all that I just said.
Last time I checked, riot police weren’t shielding Chargers players from Raiders fans.
Went to the Gold Cup finals against Mexico in Chicago and Pasadena. Had beer poured on me after every goal but the Benny winner in Chicago and after the 4th Mexico goal in Pasadena.
Greatest environment I was ever in for a match was the RFK world cup qualifier against Honduras in 2001 (or was it 2002?). Honduran fans amazingly supportive and very respectful.
Since USA vs. Mexico is such a rivalry, why is there so many friendlies played?
Have you heard of the American outlaws? That is exactly what real US supporters do!
Realistically I just want to see the guys compete well. I could care less if it is a win or a loss, but if we somehow pull out a win; I will also get very drunk.
We’ve only played 9 games at the Azteca?
I’m not expecting too much, nor will I read too much into any result. Unless we win, at which point I will get very drunk.
I was in the Meadowlands for the Gold Cup 5-0 loss to Mexico. I got the same treatment. I mean who sprays beer.. especially because its like $10 dollars a bottle.. talk about alcohol abuse..
I disagree. American fans could learn something from Mexicans and others. Jump, scream, support your team, be passionate. Don’t fight or be violent obviously, but go crazy. The team feeds off your energy.
honestly, i see this as a win-win situation for us. if we lose (even in a blow out), we did so with a B- team that was not expected to get a result. if we tie or (miracle of miracles, win), then it’ll be a significant result for us, give the newcomers a boost of confidence and rattle el tri’s cage.
I agree. I have been to many US games against a variety of different countries and they are by far the most vial, combative, violent, and despicable group of fans.
Don’t judge a group of people based on a few bad apples. I have experienced all this and more at Raider Football Game. Crybaby.
I would like to formally invite you to La Barra Brava at RFK stadium
We’re boned.
I would love to go down to Mexico to watch this match. But, I really don’t want to get bombarded with cups of urine, vomit and beer.
Mexican soccer fans are classless. And, that holds true for games held in the USA. I was pelted with beer when the US scored in Pasadena.