Author: Gerry Maravilla
As far as sports rivalries go, it would be a stretch to find one bigger than the rivalry between the United States and Mexico soccer teams. While both nations consistently vie to become the undisputed champions of FIFA’s CONCACAF (the soccer region that includes the Caribbean, as well as North and Central America), the intensity and enmity between the two teams has increased since 2002.
In the 2002 World Cup, which took place in Japan and Korea, the United States was the underdog against Mexico in the first round of knockout stages. However, the United States managed to eliminate Mexico from the tournament-to the world’s surprise-but not before Mexico’s team captain Rafael Marquez could headbutt US player Cobi Jones and be thrown out of the game for his deliberate hostility. There were then rumors that US team captain Landon Donovan urinated on one of Mexico’s most prized soccer stadiums, El Estadio Jalisco. The two teams last met at the 2007 Gold Cup (the CONCACAF championship), where the US defeated Mexico, leaving each with four Gold Cup championships.
Given the rivalry’s history and the result of their last meeting, a large amount of hype surrounded this exhibition in Houston, which was held to a crowd of over 70,000. For Mexico to win, they had to play exceptionally well, as starters Andreas Guardado and Nery Castillo were both out with injuries. Bringing in top talent, the United States was hoping to maintain their incredible record without a loss on US soil to Mexico since 1998.
The game would prove to be a riveting match of the world’s sport. Mexico immediately set the pace of the game, consistently pushing forward and looking to score. The first goal, however, came from the US defender Oguchi Onyewu, thanks to an assist from Donovan. It did not take Mexico long to respond as Chivas star Johnny Magallon popped the ball into the net at 36 minutes.
Again, it seemed as if team USA would be consistently one step ahead of Mexico when 18-year-old Jozy Altidore put the US almost immediately back in the lead. The overwhelming boos from a majority of Mexico fans (per the usual when the teams play on US soil) could be heard throughout the stadium. The intensity of the game only increased.
The aggression between the two teams reared its ugly head following Altidore’s goal. Taking a dangerous slide, Mexican player Antônio Naelson failed to get the ball into the net and set US goalkeeper Tim Howard into an angry tumble. As he got up, Howard pulled Naelson to the floor, enraged at the player’s audacity. Luckily, Naeslon did not reciprocate the aggression and opted to rejoin his teammates. The half ended with the US ahead of Mexico 2-1, which was also the final score of the 2007 Gold Cup.
Whatever Mexico coach Hugo Sanchez said to his players during halftime must have done something, for it did not take much time into the second half for Mexico to bring up their level of play and equalize with another spectacular goal from Magallon. Although Mexico outshot the United States the entire game, they could not get another one past Howard, who had an amazing game. At the end of 90 minutes, the final score was tied at 2-2.
The result of last week’s game will only intensify the rivalry and bring another level of intensity to the next time the two teams meet-this time for World Cup qualification.
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