Question: Exactly why were Mexican soccer fans watching El Tri play Costa Rica in Guadalajara bars on Tuesday evening chanting “USA, USA”?
Answer: The vagaries of the qualification process for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil had conspired to the unusual extent that virtually all of Mexico was perversely willing the U.S. team to victory in their game being played at exactly the same time in Panama.
El Tri came into their final qualifying round game needing a tie with Costa Rica in San Jose to finish fourth in the six-team group and thus ensure a playoff with New Zealand for the right to be one of the 32 nations taking part in next summer’s prestigious tournament.
Staring a 2-1 defeat to Costa Rica in the face, and with Panama leading United States – already qualified for Brazil – by the same score, Mexico stood in fifth place in the group (behind Panama) and out of World Cup 2014 altogether.
Such a scenario is almost unimaginable for a country that lives and breathes soccer, or futbol as it is called here. Apart from the millions of dollars in business opportunities that would be lost for Mexican companies, the ignominy of the region’s powerhouse soccer nation failing to make the finals would be an embarrassment that would take years to live down.
With both games in their final minutes, Mexican television commentators seemed resigned to the inevitable and poured scorn on the national team, describing their performances during the qualification round as “shameful” and “a disgrace.”
But in an extraordinary turnaround, El Tri was let off the hook by their eternal rivals. In the last three added-on minutes of their game, the United States staged a tremendous come back, scoring two unexpected goals to beat Panama 3-2 and hand Mexico a precious playoff lifeline.
The relief of the Mexican team and management was palpable – a complete contrast to the distraught Panamanians, who had seen their dream snatched away in a fateful few minutes (the country has never previously qualified for a World Cup).
Wednesday’s headlines made for uncomfortable reading for those Mexicans with an inbred antithesis toward their northern neighbor. “God Bless America” and “Thank You Estados Unidos” ran some. Mexican coach Manuel Vucetich did not call his U.S. counterpart Jurgen Klinsmann to thank him but complemented the U.S. team on their ethics and professionalism. (Many Mexicans erroneously believed Team USA would not put much effort in against Panama to spite their big rivals.)
The inquisition from Mexico’s unforgiving army of futbol analysts will be relentless, even if El Tri manage to beat lowly New Zealand in the two playoff games scheduled for November 13 (in Mexico City) and November 20 (in Wellington).
A major culprit has already been singled out. Tapatio striker Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez, who plies his trade with the world’s richest club, Manchester United in the English Premier League, has lost his goalscoring touch and endured a torrid qualifying tournament. He was withdrawn from Tuesday’s game after an hour and is now a doubtful starter for the two games against New Zealand. Once adored for his ability and humility, he now finds himself in the unusual position as a scapegoat and figure of ridicule.
Oh, the fickleness of sports fans – you can’t beat it.