http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=343208&root=us&cc=5901

In all seriousness, what do you think of this opinion? I'd agree that they lack confidence against the US when playing away from Azteca.

i liked the article...seems pretty accurate

I'd say the article is very accurate although I think the headline is misleading. I think everything he said is true, but I think the conclusion should be that we are equal to Mexico now. I mean, let's not forget that while Mexico may not have scored a goal in the US since '99, we've gotten exactly 1 point out of all our trips to the Azteca...ever. Obviously there are a lot of reasons for that, many of which are out of our control, but you would think we would have a few more if we were indeed the sole giants of CONCACAF.

I too would be curious what a Mexican team supporter (Netbreaker) thinks of the article. (and that's being honest and not an attempt at smack talking)

ttt

We beat Mexico everywhere but in Azteca. That says a lot for that site, but nothing about either team's overall ability. Once we start beating Mexico at home I'll agree that we are the Kings of CONCACAF, but for the time being I can appreciate that we can kick their asses anywhere else in the world.

Well fellows, here is my response. I believe the article was well written and presented good points.
As the Confederations Cup showed, Mexico can beat the world champs and show an amazing level of soccer that is capable to take the team far in the World Cup. With that said, we have developed a mental handicap when we play the United States that gives the American team an edge.
It is hard to concede that the United States is better than Mexico because Mexico fails to play like Mexico when we play the United States. Like the article suggested, is not Bruce Arena skills as coach the cause of this, it is all in the Mexican players minds. So if you ask me, what team is better (having better skilled players, a stronger league, and shows better soccer) the answer is Mexico and until I see the U.S. beat the Mexico I know, I will not concede.
However, I have to admit that I would rather play Germany, Brazil, or even Argentina than play the United States at any competition since I know that we have been choking up in the last 10 years. It is not the United States fault that Mexico only shows their game face when we play at the Azteca. Until the players wake up, I expect several loses more to the U.S.
Hope this makes sense.

Good response. I agree with just about everything you said.

its nice to have a good honest talk about soccer every once in a while

I wanted to see Mexico play the United States in the semifinal of the Under 17 World Cup. I was hoping to see a game without huge egos and just soccer. Unfortunately the U.S. team had a bad afternoon and lost to a lesser team (IMO).

I'll disagree about Arena lack of skills. He has won at NCAA, MSL, and international level. I think he's one of America's assests.

I also think he's one of the reasons that US is in Mexico's head. USMNT upswing coincided with his arrival. He has trained, motivated, improved, etc this team. They believe they can beat anybody, especially Mexico.

One example of Arena getting one over the Mexicans, was in World Cup. We came out in new formation. Totally freaked out Mexico. They made a substitution in 15th minute. Put in the old dude with long blonde hair. (Hernandez??) He wasn't fit enough to play remaining 75 minutes. Arena's move created an early goal, forced Mexico to change their gameplan and cost Mexico two of their 3 substitutions.

hehehe...Great one birdman, I had forgotten all about Luis Hernandez! Whatever happened to Goldilocks? The last I saw him he was playing on a MLS team last year or two years ago. I really did not like him or Blanco!

An NCAA championship means nothing at the world level. Arena may be very good at preparing their players mentally but the United States style of soccer is not exactly the talk of the town and creating a revolution. It is pratical soccer, just that nothing worth noting. It depends heavily on individual players which on the long run is not going to do much.
It is understandable since the U.S. is still a young team and they are trying to define their style.
What the U.S. needs is for their league to be more attractive to foreign players and become more competitive. When that happens the U.S. will be at full force...

The problem with the US stems from what created the country in the first place. It is a nation full of immigrants. Everyone bringing their own special something to the mix. The soccer style is this way too. There are too many coaches teaching too many styles and when the players get together on a high level they don't necessarily play the same way. Mexico has a style that seems to be emulated throughout the country and the kids begin learning at a very young age. Brazil, England, Germany...all the same way. If we could decide on a style of play and begin teaching it throughout the ranks I think the US could play a more beautiful game of soccer. As it stand, we will just have to rely on our athleticism until that happens.

from Netbreaker

quote:

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Mexico fails to play like Mexico when we play the United States... it is all in the Mexican players minds... until I see the U.S. beat the Mexico I know, I will not concede.

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That reminds of Tim McCarver quote about Hall of Famer Bob Gibson. Tim said "Bob Gibson must be the luckiest pitcher in history of baseball. Everytime he pitches, the other team seems to have an off night."

Well, Mexico just beat the Netherlands 4-0 in the U-17 World Cup. As many of you know, the Netherlands beat the U.S. decisively.
I wanted for Mexico to play the U.S. instead to see both styles to play without any "interference"...
The result today still support my point..Mexico is much better than the United States, except when they play each other...

Well, no one in this particular forum will want to admit this fact, but the "problem" with U.S. men's soccer is that our country's best athletes do not play soccer. Someday maybe, but never in the past and not now. Despite this fact, the U.S. men's team performs at nearly the same level as any other team in the world, including teams from countries where the best athletes DO play soccer-like MEXICO.

[This message has been edited by RolloTomasi (edited 10/4/2005 4:56p).]

I don't think that is true...I believe that more kids now are playing soccer than any other sport...Just look around, soccer is the new American pastime...

Soccer has been one of the biggest youth sports in the US for the past 20 years but that doesn't mean that our best athletes are playing the game. The majority of them switch at some point to one of the three major sports when they are still relatively young. Soccer is retaining more than it did in the past but I'd wager a lot of money that its retention at the pre-teen/teen level is still way behind the other major sports.

I agree that more kids are playing soccer than ever before in the U.S. and given the large female population that participates it probably is the largest single youth sport in the country. That in itself does nothing to guarantee the best athletes are playing soccer into their teens.

Although money becomes a factor eventually to athletes, it's the glamour and fame that attracts them to American football, basketball, and baseball at an early age. I honestly don't think the fastest and most gifted soccer player in this country could make the cut on most division I college teams much less a professional team whether it's football or basketball. Baseball is a diffirent story, IMHO, because I have less respect for baseball players as pure athletes than the other two sports. I don't want to sidetrack this thread into an arguement about BB so I'll just say that it's my opinion and at my age nothing anyone has to say is going to change it.

I also am not denegrating soccer. I love the sport and am active in it as both a player and parent. It just does not compete with the Big 3 yet IN THE U.S. and probably won't even come close until the current kids become consumers with true buying power. My guess is that it will be another 20 years before we see it.

[This message has been edited by RolloTomasi (edited 10/5/2005 12:18a).]

[This message has been edited by RolloTomasi (edited 10/5/2005 12:20a).]