A stirring win for U.S., the solitude of defeat for Mexico
06/18/2002
MEXICO CITY – Red, white and green tears streamed down the faces of
stunned Mexican soccer fans who had gathered early Monday at the capital's
Angel of Independence to celebrate what was supposed to be an easy victory
over a pushover American squad.
But by the end of the match, the Mexican team was a tired mess, and so
were its fans, who had stayed up all night to cheer. Dejection and looks
of disbelief settled over their painted faces.
The United States had beaten Mexico at its own game in the second round
of the World Cup, and sent its rival packing.
The pain was palpable on the streets of the capital, in the subway and
throughout the Zona Rosa tourist district where the occasional American
served as a reminder of the drubbing Mexico suffered hours earlier.
None other than President Vicente Fox served as national crisis
counselor, giving live interviews from the presidential residence of Los
Pinos, where he and his Cabinet had watched the shocking 2-0 loss.
"We should not think any less of ourselves because of this loss," Mr.
Fox told the Televisa network, which arranged for a satellite hookup for
the president to talk to Mexican players in South Korea. "We are winners
in Mexico, and we have to move forward with the same perseverance as
before."
Some Americans quietly left a sports bar, Yuppies, as the match concluded
around 3:30 a.m. and the Mexican fans became more volatile. One fan
jokingly offered $100 if anyone could find a "gringo" to beat up.
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Four thousand Mexico City police were stationed around the Angel of
Independence plaza, a frequent gathering spot for sports fans. Police
reported a few minor incidents among the crowd, which had brought
portable televisions to watch the game.
The U.S. Embassy, a traditional gathering point for anti-American protesters, was closed Monday because of the game.
Mexico had advanced to the second round of World Cup play by beating Croatia and Ecuador and tying a tough Italian team. Although the Mexicans had a long history of beating the United States, the United States had won five of its last six games going into the match.
Some Mexican fans complained that the squad was already looking past the United States and ahead to Friday's game against Germany. That game will now be the United States vs. Germany.
"I am mad because we beat better teams and we tied with Italy and then we lose to the one team you least expect," said José Luis Aguilar Estrada, 45. "More than mad, I am sad to think that we did not have the hunger to win."
Student Felipe Lugo, 25, said the Mexican team became overconfident.
"That loss erases everything they had accomplished because it seems impossible to lose against ... [the United States], because they are not a powerhouse like Italy," he said.
Monday, thousands of depressed and sleep-deprived Mexicans took the day off, as did many students, who on Friday had been given approval to arrive late for class.
AP
President Vicente Fox and wife Martha Sahagun cheer on Mexico at home. Mr. Fox later consoled the nation and team.
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"The truth is that it would have been better to lose against any other team in the world than the United States," said Hugo Sánchez, a former top Mexican soccer player and current sports commentator for Televisa.
Mexican newspapers joined in the criticism.
"The MOST BITTER defeat" declared El Universal.
"It's Over!" cried La Jornada, which published a full-page picture of a U.S. and Mexican player battling for the ball.
Mr. Fox talked to several players via a satellite hookup, telling Mexican star Cuauhtemoc Blanco and goalie Oscar Pérez Mr. Pérez that there are lessons to be learned, even in defeat.
"We saw that you were looking for a win, and that's the important part: to fight, to fight, to fight in the sports world and in life," Mr. Fox said.
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