ESPN – On a night when everything about Mexico’s recent history was celebrated, the U.S. men’s national team crashed the party and made history of its own instead. Riding some tough, organized defending, stellar goalkeeping from Tim Howard, as well Michael Orozco Fiscal’s second-half goal, the U.S. claimed an historic 1-0 victory over its longtime rival, its first in 25 attempts. The result will no doubt spark debate about whether the much vaunted gap between the two sides is real or imagined. Given that this was just one game, a friendly, it’s difficult to draw any broad conclusions. Mexico’s talent pipeline remains undisturbed, and the trophies it has garnered in the past year remain in its possession. This was also a game in which the U.S. fell short in its bid to carry the game to El Tri, and had its back line as well as Howard to thank for keeping the Americans in the game. That said, the U.S. has plenty of reasons to feel good about itself. Manager Jurgen Klinsmann brought a decidedly understrength roster to the Azteca, and despite seeing El Tri have its usual advantage in possession, the group acquitted itself well with a disciplined performance.
We get it, ESPN. The Mexican soccer team just won Olympic gold while US Soccer hasn’t won in Mexico City since literally forever. We were a combined 0-24-1 in Mexico in the past 75 years. We get it. But here’s the thing about bragging about the victory all over Sportscenter and your website — MEXICO DIDN’T PLAY ANY OF THEIR OLYMPIANS. None. Not a single one. So what the fuck are we celebrating?
It’d be like Argentina or France freaking out because they survived a one-point victory over Lamar Odom and Brandon Jennings. Yeah — we won. But we beat their B-team scrubs. And the United States of America isn’t a country that celebrates fake wins, regardless of the sport. Am I happy they won? Sure. But don’t act like America is a relevant soccer nation now because we defeated some random brown dudes in Mexican soccer uniforms, especially when they dominated most of the match. Throw up a W over the real squad then you can celebrate all you want. Until then show some pride and act like you won a match before.
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