Mexican comeback stifles U.S. (Updated)

Update (8:30pm):

In a pivotal do-or-die match, Mexico came back from a 1-0 deficit to defeat the U.S. 2-1.

The U.S.' winless streak at Mexico City continued today despite Charlie Davis giving the "Stars and Stripes" the lead in the 9th minute. Israel Castro would tie the game roughly ten minutes later with a 30-yard rocket that beat Tim Howard's net. From then on, Mexico held the momentum while the U.S. reverted to a more defensive stance and failed long ball chances. Mexico kept plugging and they would be rewarded eight minutes from time after substitute Miguel Sabah pounced on a loose ball in the penalty box.

Mexico's victory boosted them temporarily into CONCACAF's third and final automatic qualifying spot for next year's World Cup. Beyond soccer, however, the win had its political implications:

“For many people, soccer is maybe one of the few things that we can do better than the Americans,” says Ramon Raya, a soccer columnist in Mexico and former professional player...

The significance of victory or defeat between Mexico and the US spreads well beyond the soccer pitch, sometimes creating a potent mix of sport and politics that has often veered toward the unsportsmanlike. In 2005 in Mexico, Mexican fans chanted “Osama!” over and over again, in reference to Al Qaeda’s leader Osama bin Laden.

“Losing to the States has become for many people the worst thing that could happen to Mexico,” says Mr. Raya. “Because of all the problems we have with the US, like immigration, it becomes much more than a soccer game.”

Original Post:

We’ll return tonight with some more news from the Americas and the world.

Here at The Latin Americanist HQ (i.e. my cramp apartment a stone’s throw away from La Guardia Airport) all eyes will be on the critical U.S. v. Mexico World Cup qualifier. The U.S. will be looking to avenge last month’s Gold Cup final loss and win for the first time ever in Mexico City. El Tri will aim for a victory not only over its biggest rival but also to boost them in the CONCACAF final group standings.

Kickoff is set for 4pm ET and will be in Spanish on Telemundo and in English on Mun2. You can also catch the game online via Telemundo’s official livestream or via a not-so-legit source here.

And may the best team win (despite my personal bias in favor of los gringos!)

Online Sources- The Latin Americanist, AFP, Kansas City Star, terra.com, justin.tv