Mexico City.- The Mexico-United States is a game that goes far beyond soccer.
The game is always loaded with a strong social and cultural implication, particularly when it is played in the American Union, as will happen this Wednesday in the friendly in Arizona.
The United States is a power in almost all sports, but it is precisely in soccer where the Mexican used to enjoy superiority; now, the gap has narrowed. Cancha presents you with five reasons that make the Concacaf Classic important.
The wound of 2002
If there is an episode that permeates every Mexican, it is the one that occurred in the Round of 16 of the World Cup in 2002, when in Jeonju (South Korea), the Americans beat the great favorite Mexico 2-0, who qualified for this instance as leader of Group G. This result would have to be repeated on different occasions in the coming years, as well as the presence of the executioner Landon Donovan, author of the second goal in Asian lands.
The #TwoSteel
There is no worse score for the Mexican National Team than 2-0. The United States prevailed with that result in qualifying for the World Cup in 2002 and later repeated the punishment in South Korea, in the Round of 16. Also, in the Qualifiers for 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2022, as well as in three friendlies since the year 2000. The Americans are delighted and do not hesitate to boast the #DosACero, on social networks and in Spanish, each time they win against the tri.
supremacy
The United States did not even have a professional soccer league when it organized the World Cup in 1994, the spearhead to become a power in that sport as well.
Although it has not achieved results as fast as projected, its level has grown to the point of catching up with Mexico, considered for decades as the giant of Concacaf. The Americans have already won the Gold Cup 7 times, only one less than the Tricolor.
talent war
Today there is an open battle between Mexico and the United States for soccer players with both nationalities, the most recent case being Alejandro Zendejas and his choice for the Stars and Stripes team. Ricardo Pepi was another famous case and opted for the American team, while elements like Julián Araujo (today from Barcelona) and the goalkeeper David Ochoa have opted for El Tri, in this struggle to keep the best talents.
Social conflict
Landon Donovan called Mexican soccer players arrogant; Cobi Jones, superb.
The Americans enjoyed each victory more against a rival who insisted on looking down on them. A similar feeling is felt by the Mexican fans, particularly those who live in the United States, a large part of which is mistreated, belittled, persecuted, and for this reason the so-called Concacaf Classic is more than just a match, just because pride is always at stake.
against the cry
The Mexican Soccer Federation reported that it is working together with the US Soccer Federation to implement protocols dedicated to preventing “discriminatory shouting” from the fans, during the match between the United States and the Tricolor tonight.
“We are aware of the US Soccer Federation’s policy regarding discriminatory conduct at international matches. The FMF will not tolerate any discriminatory, offensive or abusive conduct,” the FMF said in a statement.
“For more than five years, we have been working in both Mexico and the United States to eradicate discriminatory conduct at soccer games.”
