Interesting match tomorrow on ESPN2- US vs. Mexico in the final qualifying round for the 2006 World Cup. The US has never won in Mexico, but many of the players and fans are saying that this could be the first one. On the other side, there's Mexico, a team still bitter about their loss to the US in the 2002 World Cup Round of 16. Mexico will be looking for revenge in the form of a win at the Azteca.

The US team is full of confidence before this match, with Landon Donovan and coach Bruce Arena saying that the team has a new mentality coming into this match. Also, the only time the US has ever gotten a point in the imfamous Azteca Stadium was in 1997. Before that match, the US held a training camp in Denver to get the players used to playing at altitude. The MLS-based players for the US have been training in Denver again prior to this match.

The biggest rivalry in CONCACAF qualifying takes place tomorrow at 1 PM on ESPN2. GO USA!!!

Did you see that exposé on the United States vs. Mexico rivalry on Outside The Lines this morning on ESPN? It just makes you want to beat Mexico even more. Landon Donovan, who speaks fluent Spanish, said that when we were beating the Mexicans 2-nil in the World Cup, one of the players actually whispered in his ear, "I am going to find your mother, and I am going to kill her". Bruce Arena has reminded the team about how Mexico completely disrespected the U.S. by not exchanging jerseys after that game (a soccer tradition). ...and of course, there was the "Osama, Osama" chant by the Mexican fans last year towards our under-23 team that one of our players characterized as "EVIL!". You know what? He's right! Let's go U.S.A.!

Unfortunately I forgot that Outside the Lines thing was on and I was at church with my family so I didn't see it.

And the US loses to Mexico 2-1. Both Mexico goals came from defensive mistakes by the US, with the gamewinner coming from Sinha as he was left unmarked by the US defense. Eddie Lewis scored a bullet consolation goal in the second half, but US subs Brian McBride, Pat Noonan, and Steve Ralston couldn't get another goal on the board for the US.

I was somewhat disappointed by Donovan's play in this match. I felt that he had several opportunities that he just didn't do well with. I also thought that DaMarcus Beasley didn't play as well as he did against T+T in the first qualifier. The US also looked somewhat disorganized on defense without Eddie Pope. Overall, there are definitely some things to improve on for Weds. qualifier against Guatemala. I'm already looking forward to the home leg against Mexico-- Columbus here I come!

Scary result- Guatemala 5-1 T+T The US only mustered a 2-1 win...

Maybe all the US players playing overseas is tiring them a bit. It happens to Europeans. They play all year under great pressure and a different system in the toughest league in the world, then have to adjust to a new group just for the qualifiers.

They should gel eventually.

I didn't see the game either, but read that Beasley got a yellow card and wont play the Guatemala game. Bummer!

I did see Liverpool beat Everton yesterday. Great game. Unfortunately some friends dropped by (with Easter eggs )and I had to watch the second half on mute and then missed the winning score while they rattled on about obscure composers. Liverpool 2-1.

Consolation: Steven Gerrard looks even better on mute. wink

A girl from Mexico with whom I work came into my office this morning just gloating like they had just won the World Cup. However, I did NOT hit her with a bag of urine or a bunch of batteries or water bottles. wink

I know that the OTL Nightly that they air during the week sometimes repeats segments that aired on a Sunday morning. You might want to check their website just in case -- or, as they always say, sign up for daily e-mails previewing the next show. wink

I can't wait for the day that we beat Mexico in Azteca Stadium. They say it is THE last advantage that they have over the US. Even better when they are completely demoralized. The US defensive mistakes were big even if Jared Borgetti's hand ball wasn't called on the second goal. Eddie Johnson never really got into the game but the team did show good attack in the second half.

I also will be excited when that happens. Unfortunately, it's not going to happen anytime soon. Landon Donovan, before this match, pointed out that in order for the US to really advance to the next level, they have to start winning qualifiers on the road. The sad thing about this match is, if you take away two plays where the US defense was caught napping, suddenly you have a 1-0 US win. Kinda frustrating.

Unfortunately, as sportinlife mentioned, DaMarcus Beasley picked up a yellow card and is out for the Guatemala game on Weds. That's a potentially huge blow for the US- Beasley, out of all the Americans in Europe, has been doing the best. He leads PSV Eindhoven in Champions League scoring with 4 goals and was picked to play in FIFA's Football for Hope match.

I think some of the blame for this loss can be put on Bruce Arena's formation. I thought the US would have done better playing out of a 4-4-2. Eddie Johnson is strong, but he wasn't experienced enough to play as a lone striker against Rafael Marquez and the Mexico backline.

That was exactly what I was thinking after this humbling defeat. ...and it's not just against Mexico, either. The U.S. consistently struggles on the road, and I don't get it. Bruce Arena is a great motivator. They have the talent now. Are they ready to beat Brazil or France yet? No. But we should be getting better results against other countries. Thankfully, they are in the CONCACAF, where the competition is not like it is in Europe or South America.

They did repeat the OTL segment last night, by the way...really, they updated it since the game was played Sunday.