Mexico vs. USA - February 6th, 2008. The Preview.

There are games in the world of soccer that you can never miss in your life: Argentina vs. Brazil, Italy vs. France, Germany vs. England and Mexico vs. United States. This last one has become a match to watch not because of the elegance of either team's way of playing the game nor the fact that both of these are super-powers in the world of soccer but because of the blood, sweat and tears that they both give in before, during and after the game. There have never been "friendly" games between these two teams as it has been mentioned by the media and they are no less than perfect about this statement. Mexico and United States, neighors by geography but never partners when it comes to the beautiful game of this sacred sport that is played in the whole world.

When Mexico and the United States play against one another, they always try to play their best, bringing in their best members from each side and confronting one another for the passion of showing who's the one that reigns over a whole continent that goes from Canada all the way to Panama in the world of soccer. When these two countries play one another, the game begins before they even step foot inside the field.

The psychology of calling out their best members to represent the country (whether they play in the local tournament or external ones) manifest interests in the coaches of who their target is going to be, studying every game and member they see in the field against other teams. I will give you an example: It is very interesting to see that the United States coach Bob Bradley attended the Interliga (Interleague) games that were featured here in the United States involving 8 teams that were playing for 2 positions to attend THE biggest tournament of this continent's history- La Copa Libertadores. He already knows that he is going to face Mexico, he already measured his calendar and the next step is to study the same thing Hugo Sanchez (current Mexico National Soccer Coach) is going to do: who is good enough to play for Mexico. He watched the final game [live at the stadium]between two of the most famous and most popular teams that exist in the Mexican League: America and Cruz Azul. If he knew his history, he would know that Mexico's national team has always called members of both these teams (not forgetting Chivas, the extreme representation of Mexico since all of its team players are Mexican, among other national teams) and sure enough, he did; hence, attending to the Interliga's Final.

Weeks later, the list of team members playing for Mexico's National team playing against the United States came up and, sure enough, some of the members of both Cruz Azul and America were in the list (for America's side there was Guillermo Ochoa & Oscar Rojas as for Cruz Azul is represented by Gerardo Torrado and Cesar Villaluz). Although this last one was called at last minute [due to an injury on Andres Guardado, who plays for Deportivo la Coruña in Spain's La Liga], nevertheless, there had to be something he did right while he played in the mini-tournament [and other times he's been active] that made Hugo Sanchez call upon him. 

The same thing goes for Bob Bradley - he knows that his team has to be made up by the strongest, most skillful and talented players that the United States has to offer. The facilitation of the U.S. members is that they play in tournaments that, because of its timing,  run a bit more in the winter (when Mexico's local tournament has reached its final point) that gives him a chance to see his players in action and being able to select those that shine within their team. For example, after the MLS finishes and come back from their vacations, those who play in this league [in this case there are the names of Landon Donovan, Brad Guzan, Drew Moor, Jozy Altidore, Brad Davis among others] are called upon for the national team in order to confront teams from other nations [way before they ever get to meet against Mexico].  Those who play outside of the United States [in prestigious leagues such as the English Premier, Germany's Bundesliga, Holland's, Belgium's and Portugal's tournaments] have to get ready and get synched with their nation's team members and become physically and mentally ready; together as a team.

What makes these two national teams confront each other with such passion? This question can be answered in many ways but there's only one word that can describe an infinite amount of sentences that would try to define their passion: Pride.Yes - as simple as it sounds yet when it comes to details, it is very complex.

When they play against one another, they just don't play for the fun of it; there's a lot at stake when these two teams collide. They play for the representation of who's the strongest of the CONCACAF confederation; they play for the respect that their nation search for worldwide; they play for the pride of wearing their respective nation's jersey and showing, not only to their nation but to the world, how much wearing that jersey means to each one of Mexico's and United States' team members. The only way they can do that is by beating their archrival. The question is: who is better?