Soccer: U.S.A. vs Mexico rivalry continues

In 2002 World Cup at Seol, the United States served notice to Mexico that they were the best team on Western hemisphere, with a dominating 2-0 victory. In that second round elimination game, the United States crushed the dreams of an entire sports nation. It was even more painful for a nation that put a premium value on soccer (futbol) the loss to a country that placed a higher value on football, baseball, basketball and even hockey. So painful that in the wake of 9-11, a stadium of 60,000 Mexico fans chanted 'Osama, Osama, Osama,' in an under 23 (age) match.

Since that time the two nations have been taking turns winning their home games. The United States won their latest home game tonight in Columbus, Ohio, two to nil. Since 2000 in home games against Mexico, the United States are now 9-0-2, with a 19 to 3 goal tally.

USA soccer organizers and consumers were dissapointed to see that the temperature was only in the forties with clear skies (no rain or snow). That may sound shrewd, but it is mild compared to the conditions that U.S. soccer players must endure when they play in Mexico.

The United States are 0-22-1 all-time at Estadio Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. There, U.S.A soccer players have to endure high altitude, smog and racial jeers. They also certainly do not get the calls from referees who literally fear that an unpopular call can be fatally answered.

For more information on this rivalry, we are posting this link from Tribal Football dot com.

Pictured: US and Mexico soccer fans