The U.S. soccer team took their “home field” yesterday to chants of “Burro” and “Donkey” when each individual 
American player was announced. I guess that’s what can happen when you’re playing soccer against Mexico in front of 93,420 people in Southern California at the Rose Bowl.
The stands at the stadium were packed with Mexican-Americans and neighboring Mexicans who made the trek across the border to rock the stands and cheer their team to a comeback 4-2 win against the American team.
It was Mexico’s second straight Gold Cup win with half of the team’s offense coming from Pablo Barrera who managed to get two shots past U.S. goaltender Tim Howard. That first goal snapped Howard’s 351 minute shutout streak.
After Michael Bradley opened the scoring, the United States jumped out to an early 2-0 lead when Landon Donovan went in on a breakaway and nailed an 11-yard shot inside the left post at the 23rd minute. That goal was Donovan’s 13th in the Gold Cup to lead all scorers in the tournament.
With a 2-0 lead in soccer, people may have started calling their bookies to collect but that wouldn’t be the case for this match. Over a short span, that lead deteriorated to a 2-2 tie then the rest was history.
The MVP of the tournament was Mexico’s Javier Hernandez who finished with seven goals, most in the tournament.
American coach Bob Bradley commented on the lack of “home field” advantage after the game:
“The support that Mexico has on a night like tonight makes it a home game for them. It’s something that we expected.”
Yep, and giving up four consecutive goals in that span of time on any field just isn’t gonna cut it either.
Used with permission of the author.
Jay Donetelli is a Tampa-based freelance sportswriter and contributor to Sports Climax. With an opinion sharper than an Ovechkin skate blade with the sting of an Ali jab, Donetelli has a loyal cult of readers who have found a way to love him.
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