Pain, gain at the World Cup
A stirring win for U.S., the solitude of defeat for Mexico
06/18/2002
By DAVID SEDEŅO and LAURENCE ILIFF / The Dallas Morning News
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.
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.
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."
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AP
A dejected fan lingers at Jeonju World Cup Stadium in Jeonju, South Korea, after America beat Mexico on Monday.
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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.
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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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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 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.
E-mail dsedeno@dallasnews.com
and liliff@dallasnews.com
