The most satisfying wins occur in the fiercest of rivalries. Go back to the late 70’s, it was the Phillies never quite being able to knock off the Dodgers. In the early 80’s it was the Sixers and Lakers. And since forever it has been anytime we (the collective we, the Philadelphia Sports Fan) cheer on our hometown team as it plays a team from New York or the Cowboys. Let me introduce a rivalry that crosses generations, land grabs, wars, and a 
massive inferiority complex – USA v Mexico.
Until the US ran out their JV in last month’s Gold Cup, they hadn’t lost to Mexico on US soil in over 10 years. As a matter of fact, the US hadn’t lost to Mexico anywhere except the Azteca since 1999, including a memorable win at the 2002 World Cup. The score that day? 2-0, what else?
So it comes to this. Will the US finally be able to break the curse and win in Mexico City? Talk about home field advantage. Azteca is 7,250 feet above sea level in one of the most polluted cities in the world. Mile High is 5,280 feet above sea level and the Broncos have had the best home record in pro football over the past 34 years (1974–2008, 200–72–1) while going 122-144-1 on the road. In four decades, Mexico has lost only one World Cup qualifying match at Azteca — to Costa Rica in 2001. Mexican officials scheduled today’s kickoff for 4 Eastern (3 Local) to take advantage of the expected summer heat and smog. To their dismay, weather forecasts call for 77 and rain at kickoff.
Now that the US is playing their varsity team, fresh off a comprehensive upset of world #1 Spain, do they have the heart, lungs, and feet to beat El Tri amid 105,000 American hating, green clad zealots? It feels like it. But the beginning of each half has been trouble recently for Bob Bradley’s squad and playing from behind in Mexico City is not someplace the Yanks want to be. The pressure is clearly on the Mexicans – a National newspaper ran the headline DON’T FAIL over a picture of the National Team Coach. That kind of headline puts even the most negative of Negadelphians to shame.
Watch the match today at 4 on Telemundo or mun2. Or even better, pop into your local bar and watch it with the mixed masses. There will be well attended viewings at the Dark Horse and Fado for certain. Hopefully at the end of 90 minutes El Tri will be El Cry.
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