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More than just defeat for southern neighbor

©Associated Press
June 18, 2002

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MEXICO CITY -- For soccer-mad Mexicans, it was bad enough that their team was eliminated from the World Cup. More heartbreaking was the fact that the blow was delivered by the United States, which some Mexicans see as a meddlesome neighbor.

"It hurts us here," said Jose Luis Luviano, 21, punching his chest. Tears melted the Mexican flags painted on his cheeks.

Millions of Mexicans, including President Vicente Fox and most of his Cabinet, watched Mexico's dreams of advancing end in Monday's 2-0 defeat to the United States which, maddeningly enough, barely seems to care about soccer.

At the Yuppie's Sports Cafe, fans stood and sang as the Mexican anthem was played. Many screamed obscenities at the Star-Spangled Banner, signs of resentment at a wealthier, more powerful northern neighbor that Mexicans often feel treats them with disrespect.

As the game ended, fans sobbed. Some hid their faces in their team jerseys.

"It hurts because it's Mexico, but it also hurts because it's the United States," Luviano said.

Fox summoned almost his entire Cabinet, which he repeatedly had compared to the national team, to watch the game, which started at 1:30 a.m. local time.

He tried to put a positive face on the loss, telling team members in a televised conversation: "In no way do we feel defeated. We have been with you and we will continue to be. We learn from our losses."

Mexican newspapers weren't as charitable in front-page headlines that were like a bad hangover to fans who witnessed the event live.

"The MOST BITTER defeat" wailed El Universal.

"It's Over!" cried La Jornada, which bore a full-page picture of a U.S. and Mexican player battling for the ball.

Milenio announced that Mexicans had been "Crushed by the United States," and declared on the back page that "The Tritanic took on water, 2-0," a play on the team's nickname "Tricolor," for the three colors of the Mexican flag.

Thousands of riot police ringed the Angel of Independence monument, a half-block from the U.S. Embassy, to prevent postgame disturbances. Cars were banned in the area and police searched for weapons or alcohol. The U.S. Embassy announced it would be closed Monday.

But only a scattering of fans showed up at the Angel after the defeat, many sprawling on the asphalt in desolation. A few people trudged around the monument holding a Mexican flag.

Student Felipe Lugo, 25, said the Mexican team became overconfident and it hurt them.

"That loss erases everything they had accomplished because it seems impossible to lose against (the U.S.), because they are not a powerhouse like Italy," he said.

Mexican television commentators said the U.S. team deserved to win because the Mexican team lost its head after the first goal.

"The truth is that it would have been better to lose against any other team in the world than the United States," said Hugo Sanchez, a former top Mexican player and current sports commentator for the Televisa television network.

The next U.S. opponent, Germany, was paying attention to the game as well. The United States is not in the quarterfinals by accident. That's not the opinion of an American, but of German coach Rudi Voeller.

"We all saw the game against Mexico," Voeller said. "Mexico dictated the pace, but the Americans took the lead, and it was difficult for the Mexicans after that, because they had to worry about falling victim to the counterattacks."

Germany and the United States meet Friday in Ulsan, South Korea.

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