Mexico vs. USA March 27 on ESPN2 [R]

[SoccerPrime]

Yahoo!
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/tv/listing?date=20050327&cc=5901

[Rover]

Great.

Now, can we finally beat these guys down there? We've beaten them everywhere else.

[Jim Umber]

Yeah! Let's do it! Let's get it done! Come on you red, white and blue!

[GoReal]

If my memory serves me correct, wouldn't this be the first time that ESPN has covered a USMNT qualifier or any game for that matter against Mexico in Mexico? I thought some Spanish channel had the rights to this game when it was played in Mexico? Does anyone recall a game televised in Mexico? I know they have done some other qualifying games in CA, but what about Mexico? Anyone, anyone?!?!? 😕

[Jose Luis Luviano]

Mass in the Azteca before Mexico - US.

I thought this was pretty interesting.

There's going to be a large Catholic Mass in the Azteca the day before Mexico - US.

The US will be able to practice there, and The Bruce has no comment.

My comment is:

Great! The more the better!

A field that's had 90,000 people walk all over it the day before could end up being pretty beat up. Let's see Mexico's midfielders try to get their pretty passes to Kikin & Cuauhtemoc over a bunch of divots.

Meanwhile, we've got Bocanegra, McBride & Lewis; all of whom could play "Route One" if we have to.

[rabble-rabble]

Originally Posted by GoReal

If my memory serves me correct, wouldn't this be the first time that ESPN has covered a USMNT qualifier or any game for that matter against Mexico in Mexico? I thought some Spanish channel had the rights to this game when it was played in Mexico? Does anyone recall a game televised in Mexico? I know they have done some other qualifying games in CA, but what about Mexico? Anyone, anyone?!?!? 😕

I recall watching it live a few times in the past on Telemundo. Seems that any time ESPN has had the US-Mexico match, it has always been tape-delayed in the past.

I remember a very ugly flame war 4 years ago when I had watched it live "en espanol", logged onto rec.sport.soccer to see what people were saying about the match, and all hell had broken loose because fans waiting for the delayed ESPN broadcast had seen the result. (As a disclaimer, I ALWAYS put (R) in thread titles, but in this case a few others hadn't)

[AreliusII]

San Bernardino County Sun


Fútbol shrine will host big game
U.S., Mexico teams to play next week in World Cup qualifier
By Guy McCarthy
Staff Writer


Saturday, March 19, 2005 - When Redlands' own Landon Donovan takes the field in Mexico City as captain of U.S. soccer against El Tricolores next Sunday, he will stand on a stage that has witnessed some of the most dramatic moments in world soccer history.

Close to 120,000 green-clad fanaticos will stand, too, hoping the U.S. winless streak in World Cup qualifiers at Azteca Stadium continues.

"It's crazy outside sometimes people fighting and crazy inside, too,' said Jose Hipolito, 34, who grew up in Mexico City and San Bernardino. "You don't want to sit in the lower sections. You get hit by bags of pee.'

The three-tiered stadium features a partial roof that traps crowd noise, making Azteca one of the loudest home fields in the world. If thunderous chants, taunts and airborne urine don't get to visitors, the altitude usually does.

Azteca stands 7,200 feet above sea level on the remains of an ancient volcano.

The best U.S. result was a 0-0 draw eight years ago, gaining a single point that helped qualify the team for France 98. The U.S. coach that day, Steve Sampson, says Donovan and his teammates have their work cut out for them.

"Mexico, of course, has all the advantages,' Sampson said Wednesday during an interview in the bowels of the pristine Home Depot Center soccer stadium in Carson, where he now coaches the Los Angeles Galaxy.

"You've got the altitude, you got the weather, the water contamination and the fans,' Sampson said. "You know they're going to have 120,000 fans, and you know they're going to be against you.'

Sampson's assistant when the U.S. drew 0-0 in Azteca was Thomas Rongen, who also played a match there in 1979 with the Los Angeles Aztecs against Mexico City-based Club America.

"It's an intimidating environment, for sure,' Rongen said Wednesday in Carson, where he coaches the expansion Club Deportivo Chivas USA, also based at the Home Depot Center. "The size, the amount of people, the noise, the smog, the humidity. It's one of the toughest places to play in the world.'

Asked what it's like to score in sold-out Azteca, Ramon Ramirez, a veteran of C.D. Chivas Guadalajara and a longtime star of Mexico's national team, smiled and chose a one-word response.

"Fabuloso,' Ramirez said Wednesday in Carson.

Ramirez, 35, is expected to captain Chivas USA when it opens its inaugural season April 2.

Chivas USA defender Orlando Perez, 27, grew up in Fontana and played soccer his senior year at A.B. Miller High. He attended a World Cup qualifier at Azteca in 1997, when Mexico defeated El Salvador. Perez said the atmosphere was unforgettable.

"I'll be pulling for the U.S., even though I'm with Chivas,' Perez said of the upcoming match in Mexico City. "I'm a U.S. citizen, born and raised in the United States. I think they'll get a good result.'

Whatever happens March 27, Estadio Azteca has already seen more world-class drama than most European and South American stadiums ever will. Videotape still confirms the miracles and madness Mexicans have inspired, created and applauded.

In 1970, Pel led the best Brazil team ever to a third World Cup title in 12 years. It was the last World Cup for Pel "el Rey' and his most memorable.

He scored in the final against Italy at Azteca, and he expertly set up the last goal of the match. Brazil put on a clinic of team play in the buildup. All 11 players touched the ball, with Pel setting the plate for Carlos Alberto to fire into the net.

Brazil defeated Italy 4-1, and the curtain closed on a master's international career.

In the 1986 World Cup, Mexico's Manuel Negrete climbed high in the air to launch a side-bicycle kick against Bulgaria. Negrete nailed all of the ball and lasered it in from more than 20 yards out. The Azteca stands erupted to salute Negrete's lightning stroke of genius.

Mexico qualified for the quarterfinals, but Argentina's Diego Maradona stole the show in 1986. Against the Argentines' bitter rival, England, Maradona punched in one goal with his left fist and later called it "el mano del Dios,' the hand of God.

Later in the match, Maradona atoned in part for his sin by sprinting with the ball more than half the field through England's defense to slot home what many still call the finest goal of the 20th century. Maradona and Argentina went on to win the final and their nation's second World Cup trophy.

If a North American nation ever wins a World Cup, it's likely that part of the matter will be settled in Estadio Azteca.

One week to kickoff.

[AreliusII]

SOCCER NOTEBOOK
Conditions favor Mexico; confidence goes to U.S.
By GLENN DAVIS
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle
It is only seven days away from the much-awaited United States and Mexico World Cup qualifier that will take place at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City.

The United States is 0-21-1 in Mexico with the only positive result coming in November 1997 when it pulled off a scoreless draw in a World Cup qualifier despite the ejection of defender Jeff Agoos.

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Azteca Stadium in Mexico City will be a cauldron of pride, which, when mixed with high altitude and smog creates arguably the most difficult conditions in CONCACAF for any team.

But Mexico must play under those same conditions, and who is to say the altitude, smog and pressure placed on the home team by fans expecting a win over their hated rivals will not affect Mexico's players?

I'm convinced the time is right for the United States to pull off their first victory in Mexico and at Azteca Stadium.


Here's why U.S. wins
The current U.S. national team under manager Bruce Arena is the most confident squad in this country's soccer history.

The depth of the squad, with the help of Major League Soccer, is the best it has ever been.

U.S. players have been put in positions of importance on their MLS teams, which has given them obvious benefits at the international level.

Add to this Kasey Keller, Claudio Reyna, Brian McBride and the new guard of Carlos Bocanegra, DaMarcus Beasley and Landon Donovan — all who have achieved success and experience abroad.

While U.S. players have been taking risks overseas in professional leagues, many of Mexico's best have remained home in the relative comfort of the Mexican League.

Recently in Houston to play a friendly match for Club America, Mexican national team member Pavel Pardo mentioned to me that more Mexican players need to go to Europe to stretch themselves as players and to benefit the national team.

The experience gathered overseas by U.S. players has given the squad an added level of mental toughness and maturity over the years.

That makes going into Azteca Stadium this time less daunting than in the past.

The U.S. team is in control right now, having won five out of its last seven meetings against Mexico, which includes five shutouts. The U.S. team conceded one goal, which came in a 1-0 loss at Azteca Stadium on its last visit there in July 2001 during World Cup qualifying.


Lone goal is amazing
For Mexico to be limited to one goal against the United States in seven games is a major feat.

Mexico also has not scored more than two goals against the United States since July 25, 1993, in Mexico City.

Sure, these are just numbers, but make no mistake, the psychological advantage is in the U.S. camp, hands down.

Next Sunday, the U.S. team needs to take a page out of the book of Costa Rica, which pulled off a 2-1 win at Azteca during the 2001 World Cup qualifying phase by getting a healthy portion of ball possession. With possession comes the ability to manage the game's tempo.

Mexico will be urged on by its fans and the U.S. team will need to weather the early storm but also recognize timely opportunities to attack, especially if Mexico gets overcommitted and anxious while sending players forward.

With the blazing pace and skill of Beasley, Donovan and young F.C. Dallas talent Eddie Johnson, team speed is formidable on the counterattack, something Mexico clearly is aware of.


Key to the match
Goalkeeping could be the difference. The United States has the edge with Keller, if Arena starts him, over Oscar Perez of Cruz Azul for Mexico.

Make no mistake, it won't be easy. The U.S. team likely will be without experienced defenders Eddie Pope and Frankie Hejduk. Arena also has the tricky job of finding the correct balance between European-based players and MLS players. Arena, in the past, has shown a knack for putting players in positions to succeed.

Emotional control was vital when the United States knocked Mexico out of the last World Cup 2-0 and it will be again in Mexico City in a week's time. Add good fortune and the U.S. national team might pull off one of its greatest wins.

[SoccerPrime]

"ESPN's Outside The Lines to examine USA-Mexico rivalry on
Sunday"ESPN'S OUTSIDE THE LINES TO EXAMINE USA-MEXICO RIVALRY ON
SUNDAY: The U.S. Men's National Team's rivalry with Mexico will be the
featured topic this Sunday morning on ESPN's acclaimed series "Outside
the Lines" at 9:30 a.m. ET. Hosted by Bob Ley, the show will examine
the intense, sometimes intimidating and volcanic atmosphere that exists
in games played IN Mexico. "Outside the Lines" will also take a
historical look at past games played between the two countries and will
offer viewers a unique, behind the scenes look at the U.S. team as they
prepare for their World Cup qualifying match against their biggest
rival. Two former U.S. National Team standouts will preview the latest
installment of the rivalry during the show: Marcelo Balboa (the current
color analyst for U.S. MNT matches on ESPN) and Alexi Lalas (currently
the general manager of Major League Soccer's San Jose Earthquakes). A
second version of the show, recapping Sunday's result, will also air on
"Outside the Lines" daily episode at 11:58 p.m. ET on Monday evening
(March 28).

Two shows, hosted by Bob Ley, with a preview and recap.

9:30 a.m. ET on Sunday morning
11:58 p.m. ET on Monday evening

[bordelais7]

Sweet! ESPN is doing this? Amazing.

I know it's still 5 days away, but I'm pretty sure that I can feel a little sickness coming on that will *cough* prevent me from being able to attend church services that day. *cough, cough*