Mexico, Schmexico
The United States has absolutely owned Mexico in games played in the United States over the past decade or so, but the Nats had never rallied to win a game against the Mexicans since FDR was president.
The U.S. scored two second-half goals and earned a 2-1 victory to win the Gold Cup, the continental championship of soccer in North America, Central America and the Caribbean.
Since 2000, the U.S. is 8-0-1 against the Mexicans at "home". (Snarky use of home in quotes since any non-World Cup qualifier in the U.S. tends to have a sizable pro-Mexico crowd, yesterday's game included.)
What does the victory mean? Well, it's important psychologically for the Nats heading into World Cup qualifying next year. It's possible they won't face Mexico again until the final hexagonal in 2009 and even if the squad will be different in two years, continuing the success against the Tricolores on U.S. soil is important.
It also qualifies the U.S. for the Confederations Cup in 2009, which will provide a nice tuneup for the World Cup against some elite teams in some of the stadiums used for the World Cup.
It also provides some momentum heading into Copa America, even if the team heading to Venezuela is markedly younger and more inexperienced than the Gold Cup squad. Up first? Argentina on Thursday. So Bob Bradley had best enjoy that undefeated record while he can.
