U.S. soccer hopes to peak in Mexico
By: Craig Stouffer
Examiner Staff Writer
August 12, 2009
 |
| Landon Donovan hopes to lead the U.S. to its firts win over Mexico south of the border. (Getty Images) |
Americans have never won on Mexican soil
The summer of U.S. Soccer is ready for its final act.
A riveting national team plot has twisted and turned over the last two months, vacillating between moments of utter despair and new heights of achievement, expectation and hype.
The climax is expected in Mexico City, where the United States could make history, proving its latest strides are for real and serving revenge on Mexico for last month's Gold Cup thrashing; or stomach a harsh dose of reality in an environment where the U.S. has never won.
This is more than a World Cup qualifier, although that is the match's primary function -- the U.S. is all but assured of place in South Africa next summer with a victory while the Mexicans need a win to get their campaign on track.
U.S. head coach Bob Bradley has shepherded his team from Central America to South Africa this summer, in conditions all meant to prepare them for facing a hostile 105,000-strong crowd at Azteca Stadium.
"You rely heavily on your group to be able to trust each other, their ability to understand the flow of the game, be able to solve situations that now help you get through different stretches," said Bradley. "I think that all then gives a team confidence, it gives a team a sense of knowing how to win. That's the area I think we've grown the most as a team."
The U.S. also boasts the game-changing ability of Landon Donovan, the player most despised by the Mexicans and one in the top form of his career, and Tim Howard, considered among the world's best goalkeepers.
But against the Mexicans, the smog, 7,200 feet of altitude, and a 0-22-1 all-time record on Mexican soil, belief will be paramount.
"In terms of us going to Azteca and having the motivation to do well, listen, we haven't done well there in the past," said D.C. United midfielder Santino Quaranta, who played in the Gold Cup final 17 days ago. "Coming off the Confederations Cup, there's a lot to prove, and they have a lot of confidence so this game goes either way."
