There's Nothing Like USA/Mexico. There's Nothing Like Dos A Cero - The Coolest Sporting Event I've Ever Experienced
Think it's pretty clear I'm a soccer fan, especially when it comes to Team USA. Always have been, always will be. So when I saw months ago the announcement of US playing Mexico in Cincinnati, my ears were perked. Something else might have been perked too. Tough to tell. And when Barstool's best intern Scott Darling offered me a ticket, how could I say no? It was a chance for Cincinnati to show out. It was a chance to see one of the most important matches under Gregg Berhalter and for this version of Team USA.
Let me make one thing clear. Cincinnati is a soccer town. FC Cincinnati stinks out loud and has the city's interest. At the same time, I had no idea what to expect with Cincinnati trying to host hundreds of thousands of people. It's not a massive city here and everything is in pockets. You go to certain areas/neighborhoods and kind of post up. But I was giddy. This was USA/Mexico. This is the biggest game in CONCACAF. This was a necessity to get a win.
There's a reason the US plays Mexico in Ohio as much as possible. It's the closest homefield advantage we can get since Mexico fans travel incredibly well. Even here in Cincinnati it was like 85-15 split. That's what made Christian Pulisic's goal even sweeter. As he warmed up in front of us, Mexico fans gave him A TON of shit. Calling him bullshit. Telling him he stinks because he doesn't play at Chelsea. Weird chirp to say that, especially with injuries. But they were giving it to him - or at least attempting. That's when it happened.
The perfect pass. The perfect finish. Not only that, he ran DIRECTLY to the section we were in. Looked directly in the eyes of the guys talking shit to him and mocked Mexico to their face.
Ochoa wanted to talk shit about not having our respect. Is three wins a row good? Ochoa waned to talk about the US wanting to look in the mirror and see Mexico? Pulisic is the man in the mirror. Pulisic is better than you.
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Mexico fans couldn't even chirp back. It was honestly pathetic hearing them only say '2018 World Cup.' It's 2021 guys. If we want to talk history let's not forget 2002 then. Mexico hasn't played it past the Round of 16 since 1986. We have. This is three straight wins over like 5 months against them too. It's with full rosters, with B/C rosters, it's with some injuries. And to make it sweeter. DOS. A. CERO.
The moment it happened, the stadium erupted in the cheer. I've never experienced something like that. I've been to awesome rivalry games across all sports. It's just different with US/Mexico. It's different when we're fighting for a World Cup chance. A win against Jamaica and we're sitting REAL pretty to qualify.
Shout out Cincinnati. It was honestly hilarious hearing people talk about how 'surprised' they were the city is fun. Yeah, man. Typically if there are a bunch of bars and decent spots, it's a good time. It's a city. OTR was filled early in the afternoon. It was one of the best pregames I've ever witnessed. Seeing the march of fans is something that just hits different when it's for your country. If you ever have a chance, do it. Go see US/Mexico.
And more importantly. DOS A CERO. We're here. We're better than Mexico.