2/11, WCQ: USA v Mexico, general post-match discussion {R}

[An Unpaved Road]

Maybe it was just because this was my first U.S. game in person, but I was surprised at how quickly the U.S. maintained possession through the midfield with quick, slick one-touch passes. Aside from that Mexico chance Howard saved in the first couple minutes, I think the U.S. controlled in the game in a manner against Mexico I haven't seen since the second half of the Gold Cup final. Second half Mexico did indeed come on a bit more, and the U.S. didn't generate as much as you would like to see. Still, Mexico didn't get that many quality chances on target. Howard was good as always, but this wasn't an instance where he had to be incredible for the team to stay competitive throughout the game. This was a pretty quality victory.

And as an aside, I just wanted to voice that I was pleasantly surprised how civil both sets of fans (or at least all the ones I encountered) were at the game. After the game ended some Mexican fans in front of me turned around, extended their hands and said "good game." Very different atmosphere from many of the NHL games that I've attended in the past, for instance, where all too often I've seen grown people acting like idiots.

[alocksley]

Come on, people. The conditions were poor and we were playing a very good team. It was never going to be a thing of beauty. The US controlled the game, something they never used to do vs. Mexico, and won convicingly. Asking for anything more than that on a night like last night is absurd.

[Century's Best]

Congratulations on the continuation of the USMNT's ownership of Mexico, Team USA fans.

US soccer is definitely here to stay - MLS, the 2002 run, and now, hard work leading to this streak against Mexico.

I saw only the last 15 minutes and the 2nd goal. The Mexican goalie failed terribly, but a goal counts no matter what.

Oh, by the way - Team USA fans should rejoice in the fact that Mexican team staff are as bitter as their fans about yet another defeat: Paco Ramírez slapped a US player after the match. Perfect example of how much class these Mexicans have (reminds me of the Argentines after they lost to Germany in 2006).

[TrueCrew]

I know it's early but to see Mexico at the bottom of this list must be painful for those Mexican trollers out there. Even the alphabet is against them (i.e., Hon comes before MX):

CR 3
USA 3
ES 1
TNT 1
Hon 0
MX 0

I used to get psyched to play Mexico. Now less so because we never really beat them when we win 2-0. It's always the refs fault or something else. Kinda gets old. The only thing left in CONCACAF for us is to win in Azteca. With that monkey off of our back maybe we can start to compete better with top 10 teams. Still it is always nice to beat the "best team in CONCACAF".

Nice post, but I'll pick two nits:

1) I'm always psyched to play Mexico. Remember, they were down their two best attacking players before the game started, two defenders, and Castillo got hurt mid-game. It would be like us losing Landon, Clint, Bocanegra, Califf, and Beasley. Let's see how we do against a full strength Mexico side at Azteca before we get too excited.

2) In addition to never winning at Azteca, we've never won at Saprissa either, and the Ticos had what looks to be a very nice 2-0 win over Honduras.

Before we declare ourselves unchallenged kings of CONCACAF, I think we need to win a game (just one) away to the region's other top teams.

[matabala]

This belies a complete lack of understanding of how the game is played minute by minute on the field.

I don't believe it does. Bradley Sr waited too long to use his substitutions to their best advantage. Some folks here wouldn't consider that effective "minute by minute" game management.

Up a goal, up a man, to keep a tired Ching and a weary Dempsey trudging until the 83rd minute? It wasn't as if their fatigue was tough to spot. A smart coach has got to see those small things and make the call before it bites him on the backside. It didn't last night but not for BB's lack of trying.

[Zenit]

Honestly, I dont follow you when you say that Marquez should get 2-3 games. Only in the US could something like that happened. Anywhere else it would have been a yellow card, AT THE MOST...

If he A. didn't go up with studs up and B. was actually looking at the ball in an attempt to make a play on it ...I might agree with you.

[Maxheadroom]

Two well-chosen nits. We do need to win in Saprissa or is is Sa-Pissa, given what they throw from the stands.

Good turnout from the Crew faithful last night. Props to those travelling fans too. It sounded good on the tube. Did I hear a "Yes We Can" in response to the Si se Puede of the Mexican fans?

[JohnJohn]

I don't believe it does. Bradley Sr waited too long to use his substitutions to their best advantage. Some folks here wouldn't consider that effective "minute by minute" game management.

Up a goal, up a man, to keep a tired Ching and a weary Dempsey trudging until the 83rd minute? It wasn't as if their fatigue was tough to spot. A smart coach has got to see those small things and make the call before it bites him on the backside. It didn't last night but not for BB's lack of trying.

Coach tied his hands by cutting Robbie Rogers. He left himself with no real options.

What was up with Altidore? He looked real causal when he subbed in and then proceeded to get pummeled by the Mexico defenders.

I thought Bradley was the MOTM with Frankie close behind.

[deuteronomy]

I don't believe it does. Bradley Sr waited too long to use his substitutions to their best advantage. Some folks here wouldn't consider that effective "minute by minute" game management.

Up a goal, up a man, to keep a tired Ching and a weary Dempsey trudging until the 83rd minute? It wasn't as if their fatigue was tough to spot. A smart coach has got to see those small things and make the call before it bites him on the backside. It didn't last night but not for BB's lack of trying.
It may be a bit surprising, but sometimes it is a better strategy to leave an experienced player on the field even if he is tired.


What was up with Altidore? He looked real causal when he subbed in and then proceeded to get pummeled by the Mexico defenders
Case in point.

[luftmensch]

This belies a complete lack of understanding of how the game is played minute by minute on the field.

That would be a great answer for a lot of posts on here...

[luftmensch]

I don't believe it does. Bradley Sr waited too long to use his substitutions to their best advantage. Some folks here wouldn't consider that effective "minute by minute" game management.

Up a goal, up a man, to keep a tired Ching and a weary Dempsey trudging until the 83rd minute? It wasn't as if their fatigue was tough to spot. A smart coach has got to see those small things and make the call before it bites him on the backside. It didn't last night but not for BB's lack of trying.

I wondered the same, but he did have a slightly hobbling Hejduk and Howard to consider. And when you see what happened when those subs did come on, I'm glad it didn't happen earlier, Clark and Altidore were a step down at that point in the game.

[THOMA GOL]

Any quality photos of the match up yet?

[Swami]

once again..we will see u at azteca. USA has not won in Mexico ever so its kinda both ways

But, we beat you on neutral soil when it counted, so...quien es tu papa?

[CHI_TOWN_BALLA]

Hmmmm, I guess i take my comment back about Frankie earlier. Apparently Frankie was screaming F*?K YEA! after the game but Mexico thought he was screaming F*?K YOU!!!! It's all love in the end :D Mexico coach had to stick up for the team for what he heard like anyone else.

[DaMa]

It's not whiny, it's misinformed. Donavan was not AT the far post, he was 7 yards past the far post (check the replay), he had absolutely no angle at goal, he did exactly what he should have done, head it across the face of goal.

No way that was Oswaldo's ball, it was overhit, maybe on pupose I don't know, blame the two defenders who ball watched not Oswaldo. You'll rarely see a keeper go 7 yards past his far post on a corner, you hold your ground and expect your defenders to not give up a free header on a long looping ball like that.

The second goal should have been saved, great shot, lots of pace and it knuckled like crazy but I believe Howard punches that one away.

As a former keeper, couldn't agree more. Any keeper worth his salt makes a save on the 2nd goal. It's not like a wind storm suddenly came up out of nowhere. On nights like this, you know the ball will do funny things, you stay alert for dipping and swerving and any keeper will tell you sometimes you attack the ball to get a controllable rebound rather than letting the ball play you. First goal was clearly just misjudgement of a floated ball that should have been handled by the defense. No way the keeper is willing to risk making a play on that ball when he knows there's no angle (though I thought he might have positioned himself better for the pass from Landon that he had to know was coming if he got to it).

[Grumpy in LA]

Mexico coach had to stick up for the team for what he heard like anyone else. No he didn't. Even if Frankie had been saying "f— you," a true pro would've just moved on. Coaches need to set a pretty high bar for dignity. And it's amateurish to let the other team get into your head that easily.

And a grown-up would have also have thought, "Gosh, this isn't my native language. What if I misunderstood?"

[deuteronomy]

Hmmmm, I guess i take my comment back about Frankie earlier. Apparently Frankie was screaming F*?K YEA! after the game but Mexico thought he was screaming F*?K YOU!!!! It's all love in the end :D Mexico coach had to stick up for the team for what he heard like anyone else.
:rolleyes: Actually, the Mexican coach didn't have to do anything. . . .

[Maxheadroom]

:rolleyes: Actually, the Mexican coach didn't have to do anything. . . .

Typically after a loss to the USA the Mexicans don't even shake hands. Perhaps the coach forgot how to do that and missed HeyDude's hand. It was kind of a biatch slap anyway. He could work on that a bit.

[Easy Morning Rebel]

Hmmmm, I guess i take my comment back about Frankie earlier. Apparently Frankie was screaming F*?K YEA! after the game but Mexico thought he was screaming F*?K YOU!!!! It's all love in the end :D Mexico coach had to stick up for the team for what he heard like anyone else.

You're right, I'm surprised we don't see coaches slapping opposing players more often. Just sticking up for the team like anybody else.

[Tigerpunk]

It may be a bit surprising, but sometimes it is a better strategy to leave an experienced player on the field even if he is tired.


Case in point.

Altidore made one mistake, but then made a great play with Donovan to set up a rush that led to the second goal. Overall, he had a positive outing.