USA vs. Mexico: Get Ready to Rumble

By: Laurie | February 6th, 2008

If you don’t follow the US-Mexico rivalry, here’s all you really need to know:

The US team hates the Mexico team. The Mexico team hates the US team. The end.

A few more facts add a little spice, though.

• Despite the fact that many consider Mexican futbol superior to the US version, Mexico has never won on US soil [in this decade]. US Record: 8-0-1. In these games, the US has outscored Mexico 15-1.

• Most US-Mexico games played in the US are played in border states, and Mexico fans far outnumber US fans.

• But that doesn’t seem to help them win recently.

• Tonight’s game is technically a “friendly.” But there really is no such thing when you’re talking about US-Mexico.

• A Landon Donovan quote from before the 2002 World Cup game, which the US won 2-0. “It could get unpleasant out there, especially if they feel threatened. They’ll talk smack, cuss you out, in English if they know it.” (The above photo is from this game, from the excellent photo series on foxsports. The guy on the ground is Cobi Jones.)

• Mexican player Antonio Naelson on Landon Donovan: “He’s a load – he’s someone who lacks respect, who doesn’t have a conscience when he speaks. He provokes rage, he provokes feelings where you want to do something if he’s nearby – but that’s football. We’ve got to win – only by beating him will we shut him up.”

• Some good commentary and analysis can be found at My Soccer Blog. (And by “My Soccer Blog,” I of course don’t mean MY soccer blog. That’s the name of the blog. Are we clear on this?)

• Expect an intense game.

Tonight’s game is at 9:00 p.m. Eastern, 6:00 p.m. Pacific, on ESPN2.

Some Related Stories:

Category: Mexico, North America, United States, World Football

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Whigsboy

Can anybody explain to me why Convey still gets on the pitch, yet alone starts? Granted, I am a relative soccer virgin, really only been watching closely for 4-5 years. In that time, I have watched most of the U.S. games, and I seriously cannot recall Convey ever making a positive contribution. He is downright awful. Please explain it to me.
Lucas

Great game! Deuce's disallowed goal was siiiick. 2nd half got nice and chippy, very entertaining stuff (esp. for a "friendly").
elmeromero

yeah that tackle from De Nigris was pretty uncalled for, probably warranted a card, I hate to see that kind of stuff from either team. The refs really did a piss poor job, that's one thing that needs to improve. Does anybody know how they pick these guys, are they volunteers or are these guys actually getting paid atleast as much as college football refs?
-nickt.-

laurie,
it looked like it was coming from both sides. the foul and card ratios point to the u.s. as the agressors but the bullshit looked pretty evenly dished out to me from my excelent view in philly. i agree with you about the last game seeming undeserved. the first half looked like it was going the same way but the u.s. really turned it on in the second despite the score.
Laurie

Oh, elmeromero, no hate, really. It was a hard-fought game that both side really wanted. That's always fun to watch.

Yes, okay, some guys did tick me off, like the guy who did his best to take out Tim Howard. (The name escapes me, but the guy with the longish, curly, blond-ish hair.) Whatever he did was a bit uncalled for, but if I'm being honest some of our guys probably engaged in similar behavior.

The game as a whole left me happy. US Soccer is improving. A year ago I thought we got an undeserved win. Today I thought we got a deserved and hard-fought draw. And this actually left me happy with both teams.

:-)