The Soccer Thread (IV)

I'd be more impressed with our Mexico streak if it included more positive results on their shores, and away from ours. They were qualifying for World Cups (and reaching the quarters - yes, at home) when we couldn't even get a competent national team program going. If they do beat us in Azteca, that will probably be what they need to go on a run and squeak in again.

They're not down for long. And trumpeting the fact that we keep beating them on our soil, is sort of disingenuous considering the fact we haven't beaten them on theirs either. Right now, they're down. But considering the world perception (right or wrong), we still have a virtual stalemate until we beat them at Azteca. Or they beat us here.

Mexico's current state is pathetic. They have had four coaches since the World Cup, and can't get it together. They probably do feel forced into a corner by their struggles. But their scheduling this match is no worse than anything most countries do, when they can.

Columbus at night in February is much worse than Columbus in mid-afternoon. "Appropriate" for maximum effect of the cold.

EDIT: For what it's worth:

http://www.ussoccer.com/articles/viewArticle.jsp_281668.html

 

Columbus at night this February was in the 60s. Pitch was in good shape. There was a little wind after the game, but other than that there was no advantage to be had.

 

So what time should they play it at for those of you who disagree with the start time?

 

Since it's a weekday? How about 6 p.m. or 7 p.m. local time?

If it was a Saturday or Sunday game, I wouldn't care if they started at high noon.

 

So U.S. soccer got screwed by the weather. Wasn't for lack of trying for that cold advantage, of course.

Columbus, in February, is not supposed to be in the 60s.

If it rains at Azteca in August - as so many gleefully are hoping - does that mean that Mexico didn't TRY to get some kind of edge?

 

Piotr, you do realize that nobody beats Mexico in the Azteca. When was their last loss there, 197x?

You act like the US winning there is some achievable concept. Fucking West Germany in the mid 80's couldn't beat Mexico there. They needed a penalty shootout!

Four years ago, when the game was in Columbus the temperature was also in the mid 70s. I was there walking around in a t-shirt. The game was held over Labor Day weekend. The US isn't putting the game there for cold, it is putting the game there for superstitious reasons. The location is in Mexico's head because they haven't won there. The location is in the US's head since we win there.

I'm not sure why you are trying to make it to be more than it is.

I don't have a problem with the start time. I'm merely amused over the fact that Mexico has fallen so far that they need to resort to this in order to try and gain an edge.

 

Nothing pisses Mexican fans off more than that game. With that result, Mexico officially became the second best team in CONCACAF and has been there since.

 

An incredi-fucking-ble incident in the Mexico-Panama game tonight.

With about 10 minutes left, a Panama player and Mexican player are running after a ball down the sideline. It barely goes out of the bounds by the Mexican bench. As the Panama player runs by, the Mexico coach (Javier Aguirre?) kicked the Panama player. He literally stuck his leg out and as if to trip him. Panama player, understandably, gets pissed and pushes the Mexico coach. So then some assistant pushes the Panama player and all heck breaks loose.

As the Panama player leaves the field, he is pelted by debris from the classy Mexican fans, who obviously couldn't believe a player would push their coach after their coach kicked him.

And of course, after the game, a few Mexican players chased the refs off the field.

Unreal. The Mexican coach should be suspended for the rest of the year and Mexico's next game should be in an empty stadium.

 

That's some Woody Hayes type shit there.

 

Holy hell. There's going to be hell to pay for that. FIFA and CONCACAF need to come down hard on that shit.

Reminded me of that 50s Cotton Bowl where a player on the sideline tripped a guy taking a fumble back for a TD.