February 14, 2004
Mexican crowd jeers eliminated U.S. team with chants of 'Osama!'
A loud anti-American crowd hollered as Mexico beat the United States 4-0 Tuesday night in the under-23 tournament, claiming a berth in the Athens Olympics.
As U.S. players left the stadium for their bus, several fans -- some clutching beers -- chanted "Osama! Osama!" in reference to al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.
"It's better than having things thrown at you," U.S. Soccer Federation president Bob Contiguglia said Wednesday after returning to Colorado Springs, Colo. "I was bothered by the whistling during the national anthem. It's just the way it is. You accept it. Our kids showed a lot of dignity. They didn't do silly things on the field."
Police in riot gear held back the crowd and urged people to calm down.
"I think the fans here in Mexico are terrific; I think their patriotism and support of their team is terrific," U.S. coach Glenn Myernick said. "But unless I missed something, not one of them came down on the field and kicked the ball. We were beaten by a better football team tonight, not by the fans."
For Mexico, the game partly avenged a 2-0 loss to the United States in the second round of the 2002 World Cup, a far more important tournament involving national teams.
The U.S. men will miss the Olympics for the first time since 1980 -- when the entire American delegation boycotted the Moscow Games. Mexico also ended the United States' 19-tournament streak of qualifying for every FIFA men's outdoor event, including the World Cup, the Olympics, the World Youth Championship for players under 20 and the Under-17 World Championship.
"We all feel that these things are learning experiences and something to grow on," Contiguglia said. "I don't think it's a reflection on the program; the program is doing outstandingly well. I feel bad for the kids, who don't get to go to the Olympics. It shows at that age group we're just not as strong as we are elsewhere."
Mexico is unbeaten in 20 consecutive Olympic qualifiers since a 3-0 loss to the United States on April 26, 1992.
While both Mexican national television networks broadcast Tuesday's game live, the game was shown in the United States on closed circuit to about 190 restaurants.
U.S. soccer officials said they did not plan to protest, though they did after a May game between the same two teams in nearby Zapopan.
Full Story @ SI.com - Soccer
Mexico, I demand a public apology from the Mexican FIFA officials, Mexican Team and the public officials in Guadalajara. This is complete bulls***.
Posted by: muddy at February 14, 2004 04:49 PM*I* demand those particular fans be fined for what they said and put under surveilance. Sounds to me like terrorist supporters....and I don't care how drunk some of them may have been. However, I'm afraid we're both dreaming with our "demands" though.
I will say, I am very proud of our men on that soccer team....they proved to be better men and human beings than those specific fans could ever dream of being.
Posted by: mrs. muddy at February 14, 2004 05:15 PMFirst off, glad to spread the soccer gospel!
Second, the 'osama' chants are out-of-line for sure. But the anthem booing has been going on for years. In fact, back in '92-94 there were reports from players of 'urine bags' being thrown at US players as they entered/exited the field. In addition, US players often unplug phones in their rooms so that mexican fans will not call them all night....this all falls under the title of gamesmanship...
Note: sometime in 2002, an american player in England was subjected to taunting of the same type from an English fan...if i recall the fan was found and banned....
For the record, USA and Mexico have played several times since 9/11...
Now, the reason that this happened to this level this time is simple...this is the first time we have played mexico since we knocked them out of the 2002 World Cup in Korea, 2-nil. For mexico, this was considered shameful, as the soccer field is the ONLY place that they considered themselves superior to the USA.
Mexico has long been considered the soccer power in the Latin America/North America region (FIFA calls it CONCACAF). That is no longer the case...thanks to the 9 year old US league, Major League Soccer (MLS)....
Finally, this quote after the game says it all:
""The USA is better than us at everything. The only thing in which we can defeat the U.S. is U-23 soccer." -– Guadalajara cab driver Fernando Soltero"
Three to four years ago, this was soccer in general, not U-23 soccer. FIFA, for competitive reasons, only allow players under age 23 to play in the Olympics. The US has shown dominance at all other levels...and the next World Cup qualifying round, which starts later this year, will be much the same as this game...
I cant wait....LOL...
Posted by: wolfgang at February 15, 2004 12:50 AMInteresting story, and I found myself getting pissed off. Totally uncalled for and an appology should be in demand.But further reading Wolfgang's comments, I can see why, Mexico is just a bunch of playa hatin foo's. In protest I will ban myself from Taco Bell and any other Mexican establishment for a year or untill an appology is made. I hope the thai soccer team knocks their soccer "balls" in the dirt at the Olympics ( if there even is a Thai Soccer team ). Next time we meet them USA will say WOOOOO WOOOOO! =)
PS and O/T. Mrs. Muddy I love your husband, in a much non guh way. I owe you guys my first born for all his help in getting dilokdotcom up and running. *man hugs*
Posted by: Shutternutz at February 15, 2004 01:59 PM"PS and O/T. Mrs. Muddy I love your husband, in a much non guh way. I owe you guys my first born for all his help in getting dilokdotcom up and running. *man hugs*"
Hey, shutternutz (interresting name, by the way)...nice to hear from you :-) That was very sweet....and I'm sure your first born is (or will be ) very wonderful and adorable...but please, keep your first born...muddy and I have enough of our own "little rascles/rugrats" to take care of. However, we're not above taking your money:-D hehehehehe :-D
I'll definately have to check out your website later :-)
Cancel NAFTA!!!!!
Posted by: cwilli at February 15, 2004 07:04 PMcwilli wrote:
"Cancel NAFTA!!!!!"
Sounds great!
Here's your guy: http://www.kucinich.us
*blink*
Posted by: Lurker at February 15, 2004 11:39 PMHis website is too funny. I especially love the picture at the top with him and the foreign looking guy smiling with the words "The US can repair its position in the world community through cooperation, not through confrontation."
Too bad he doesnt realize that guy wants to kill him and his family. I wonder if Kucinich cooperates with him in helping him kill his family if it would change his mind and he will love us. Wouldnt that be nice?
Also I noticed that on his website you can 'Adopt an Intern'. I hear Bill Clinton started that....
Posted by: cwilli at February 16, 2004 02:18 AMIt occurs to me that I don't have a clue what you are saying or talking about. I speak limited spanish in addition to my native english, so if you speak those language, I might get a clue as to what you're saying, though I can't speak for anyone else here.
Posted by: skywalker at April 5, 2004 12:38 AM