USA v. Mexico. USA wins in Azteca

[KendrickPanther]

If you watch ESPN at any point in the next week they will probably blow this up as the single greatest moment in US Soccer history. ESPN is in the business of hyperbole after all. Having watched the game it was a total waste of 90 minutes. The USA fielded an embarrassingly weak side while the Mexicans fielded a very solid team. Mexico dominated possession and chances but Tim Howard had a career night. Sure the USA won in an empty Azteca stadium but it was very fluky.

I really hope we have more talent coming through the pipeline than these bums because the Mexicans are loaded. This looked like one of those MLS team vs. Manchester United friendlies where Man U loses because they are in preseason training.

[pstall]

I think/hope Klinsman is just working on fitness and looks for various guys. But otherwise, I'm not thrilled with what we have and I TOTALLY hate those Where's Waldo shirts.

[Ivan The Awesome]

I'm a bit disappointed at my boys right now.

[UsAgainstTheWorld]

You seriously wanted to start a thread about the US winning only to complain about it. I don't think you realize how snobish you are coming off right now. Imagine if you made a thread like this after the Panthers won a game where they were the worse team. Here is a list of the important players not player for the US: Clint Dempsey, Jozy Altidore, Michael Bradley, Carlos Bocanegra, Steve Cherundolo, Timothy Chandler. Klinsmann went into the game with the purpose of winning it. The only way to win that game with the weakened side was to bunker and wait for their opportunity. And it worked.

And instead of complaining about generals, how about you give specifics? Like Torres's inability to even get the ball, or Beckerman's poor passing, etc. And you could also talk about more positive things instead of just using Howard's goalkeeping as an excuse for the win. He had to make TWO big saves. There weren't that many major chances, mainly because of the stellar defense of Cameron, which is a good sign of the future for our most glaring need.

Also, this will definitely not be hyped for a week on ESPN. It'll get a minute of coverage during Sportscenter's hour long show and will be on their cover page for one day, before it's pulled for more "American" sports.

TL;DR- STOP COMPLAINING AND ENJOY A WIN

[Ivan The Awesome]

All good points. Even in friendlies you can see what is needed or not. The Mexican Team got over zealous and paid the price. Honestly I saw a good win by Team USA. Howard is the MVP of that game though.

[AppStatePanther]

Thank you UATW, Beckermann is not the future. This wasn't the pipeline, this was what was left due to the US having ALOT of players in overseas clubs. This was great determination and unbelievable defense by some unknowns on the back. You will see alot of our "pipeline" in Kingston and in meaningful games. This was mainly one heck of a confidence builder.

The Mexicans fielded a solid but not complete team but it was more of their world cup team then I expected.

[KendrickPanther]

Unbelievable defense? Stellar defense of Cameron? Chicarito ran unmarked half the match! He missed at least 2 sitters and fumbled away a few other good chances. It was bad all around. It's perfectly fine to sit back and defend in Azteca but when you do get the ball you must counter with conviction. Donovan's goal vs. Brazil in the confederations cup was a text book example. Our guys couldn't pass, had poor touch and poor technique. Good on them, they beat a much more talented side. I just think it's a shame that's what we are working with.

[Razzy]

USA beats Mexico in Azteca stadium for the first time EVER, just after Mexico won the gold in the olympics. And you are let down. You must be a really hard person to date.

[UsAgainstTheWorld]

Unbelievable defense? Stellar defense of Cameron? Chicarito ran unmarked half the match! He missed at least 2 sitters and fumbled away a few other good chances. It was bad all around. It's perfectly fine to sit back and defend in Azteca but when you do get the ball you must counter with conviction. Donovan's goal vs. Brazil in the confederations cup was a text book example. Our guys couldn't pass, had poor touch and poor technique. Good on them, they beat a much more talented side. I just think it's a shame that's what we are working with.

We're just going to have to completely disagree, because I believe Chicarito was very well covered. Also, I haven't looked up the player ratings, but I can guarantee you that among all the ratings out there, Cameron and Howard will clearly be the highest rated.

[UsAgainstTheWorld]

After about 5 minutes of look up, I found all of these complimenting the US defense, especially Cameron.

http://sportsillustr...ings/index.html (Cameron is MOTM)

http://prosoccertalk...mexico/related/

http://www.mlssoccer...ed-us-vs-mexico

Of course, if you would rather do your arguing on message boards, you could look here:

http://www.bigsoccer.../#post-26276543

Edit: would like to add there is an ESPN insider article titled "Cameron handles Chicarito"

[Implied Volatility]

Missed the game. I'll have to watch the replay on espn3.

[C47]

It was a great moment for USA soccer, not sure how anyone can debate that. That little flip from Boyd to set up Fiscal's goal was a thing of beauty. Yes the US National team has a lot of work to do, but they were lacking in talent due to Dempsey and Bradley not being there. Mexico was also missing some horses, but there is NO way the US should have won this game, let alone held Mexico scoreless. Great moment, still work to do, enjoy life and quit complaining about a friendly.....

[MadHatter]

Unbelievable defense? Stellar defense of Cameron? Chicarito ran unmarked half the match! He missed at least 2 sitters and fumbled away a few other good chances. It was bad all around. It's perfectly fine to sit back and defend in Azteca but when you do get the ball you must counter with conviction. Donovan's goal vs. Brazil in the confederations cup was a text book example. Our guys couldn't pass, had poor touch and poor technique. Good on them, they beat a much more talented side. I just think it's a shame that's what we are working with.

Any time that you hold a top team scoreless, you DID play good defense.

This was not a sexy game or a flashy game. However, it was a well designed gameplan.

The US coaches devised a gameplan to control Mexico, and the players executed it well.

It is a testament to the Players when a much less relented team executes a plan and defeats a much more talented team.

For you to discount that feat while sitting your fat ass on your couch is embarrassing for us all.