Slayer 0 Report post Posted February 11, 2004 Source GUADALAJARA, Mexico (AP) -- The roster of U.S. athletes headed to the Summer Olympics is growing steadily smaller. A swarming Mexican offense knocked the U.S. team out Tuesday night with a 4-0 victory that ended a string of five appearances for the Americans in the games. Playing before a noisy crowd of almost 57,000, Mexico avenged a 2-0 World Cup loss two years ago and joined Costa Rica in the Olympic field. "The dreams of our team and the dreams of our players of going to the Olympics are now something in the past," said U.S. coach Glenn Myernick. "I'm sure it will hurt even more tomorrow than it does right now." The Mexicans battered the U.S. defense with waves of attackers who kept slipping free of defenders near the goal. Rafael Marquez Lugo scored twice for Mexico. "There were too many times tonight when our defenders didn't do a good enough job of slowing the attack down," Myernick said. Mexico coach Ricardo LaVolpe said he was happy his team seemed regained the accuracy lacking in earlier games against weaker opponents in the under-23 tournament. "We played without fear," he said. The game was a winner-take-all battle for a berth at the Summer Olympics. It came just over two months after a qualifying tournament victory by Mexico kept the U.S. baseball team out of the games. Costa Rica defeated Honduras 2-0 earlier in the evening for the other Olympic slot from the North and Central America and Caribbean region. The United States had become a soccer nightmare for Mexico in recent years, winning more than it lost against a team that thinks of itself as the region's powerhouse. The greatest dent to Mexico's pride came in the second round of the 2002 World Cup. Myernick said with the elimination of soccer powers such as Brazil and the Czech Republic, "I think the Olympics in Athens is going to be wide open. ... Mexico has as good a chance as anybody." LaVolpe, meanwhile, was thinking even further ahead. "I think a lot of these youths can reach 2006," the next World Cup, he said. "These youths showed they have what it takes to battle with anybody." Myernick predicted a wide-open game by two powerful offenses. The United States had scored 10 goals in three tournament games. But only Mexico managed to produce. Marquez Lugo took a pass from Francisco Rodriguez and put a header past U.S. goalkeeper D.J. Countess at 25 minutes. Three minutes later, Diego Martinez hit the net as a wave of Mexican players rushed toward the U.S. goal. Countess made several dramatic saves, but Marquez Lugo scored again at 54 minutes from about 15 yards after U.S. defenders were unable to clear the ball from the penalty zone. Ismael Iniguez raced in for a fourth goal just before time ran out. Mexico, meanwhile, dropped back and clogged the lanes for the U.S. attackers such as Landon Donovan and DaMarcus Beasley, repeatedly blocking passes. Alecko Eskandarian came close to a U.S. goal in the 79th minute, but his leaping deflection was saved by goalkeeper Jose de Jesus Corona. Frustrated U.S. defender Nat Borchers was ejected for a second yellow card at 73 minutes. Six nations have qualified for Athens: Mexico, Costa Rica, Australia, Argentina, Paraguay and host Greece. LINEUPS: UNITED STATES:D.J. Countess; Chris Wingert (Kyle Beckerman 45), Nat Borchers, Chad Marshall, Ricky Lewis; Logan Pause, DaMarcus Beasley, Brad Davis (Eddie Gaven 76), Bobby Convey; Landon Donovan, Ed Johnson (Alecko Eskandarian 62). MEXICO: Jose de Jesus Corona, Aaron Galindo, Francisco Rodriguez, Ismael Rodriguez; Mario Perez, Gerardo Espinoza, Diego Martinez, Sergio Ponce, Luis Ernesto Perez (Luis Alonso Sandoval 78), Juan Pablo Garcia (Gonzalo Pineda 66); Rafael Marquez Lugo (Ismael Iniguez 80). REFEREE: Neal Brizan (Trinidad and Tobago) As you may recall, a couple months ago their baseball team knocked our team out of an Olympic berth I thought all their best athletes were already up here Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spicy McHaggis 0 Report post Posted February 11, 2004 This is a big step back considering our success in the recent World Cup. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
starvenger 0 Report post Posted February 11, 2004 This is a big step back considering our success in the recent World Cup. Yes and no. Olympic Soccer is for under 23's, and I don't think that soccer players really mature until their late 20s. So it's bad for the Olympics, but it remains to be seen how it affects the US in World Cup competition... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OldSchoolWrestling 0 Report post Posted February 11, 2004 I'm suprised Landon Donovan couldn't put one in the net. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slayer 0 Report post Posted February 11, 2004 And where's that Adu kid everyone keeps talking about? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nl5xsk1 0 Report post Posted February 11, 2004 First, the sarcastic prick comment: "oh, who will I ever root for in the Olympics soccer without the US to passionately follow?!?". Soccer goes over in the US about as well as a fart in church, so I don't think many Americans will be losing sleep over us not qualifying. Second, angry prick comment: I've heard that the fans chanted "Osama, Osama" to the point that it drowned out the US National Anthem. Fuck them if that's true. I'd love to see the US refuse assistance if/when they get hit by an earthquake or some other calamity. Not that the US gov't ever would, but it'd be fine by me if they did. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted February 11, 2004 I shudder what to think would happen if foreign policy were dictated in response to football/soccer fans. Especially the ones in Philly. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted February 11, 2004 Source GUADALAJARA, Mexico (AP) -- The boos nearly drowned out ``The Star-Spangled Banner,'' and a few dozen fans chanted ``Osama! Osama!'' as the United States was eliminated by Mexico in Olympic men's soccer qualifying. 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. A far cry from the whole stadium chanting Osama. Of course the fans will boo the US players, given that its their home country and that we invaded a sovereign nation without provocation, but I don't see a big deal out of it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Ghost of bps21 0 Report post Posted February 11, 2004 Yeah...next time they come here we'll just chant "get a job" at them and it'll be all square. Or we could invade them without cause and it'll be over by...3 minutes later. Either way...makes good TV. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Internet Warfare 0 Report post Posted February 11, 2004 Well, whenever Mexico comes to play most of the fans in attendence are Mexican. And a lot of them cheer Mexico too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Ghost of bps21 0 Report post Posted February 11, 2004 That's because soccer sucks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
razazteca 0 Report post Posted February 12, 2004 And where's that Adu kid everyone keeps talking about? In Middle School. Too bad the team could not make it to the World Cup as it could of been the event needed to kickstart interest in the sport of soccer. Just like the Cruiserweight division in WWE nothing can get the sport over in its current evironment. Looking at the USA team I could only recognize one player Landon Donovan. What happened to Claudio Rena, Kobe Jones, Ernie Stewart, and the goalie Keller? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted February 12, 2004 At least with Donovan, Adu, and Johnny Beazley there's hope for the future. The sport needs charasmatic, exciting stars. These guys could deliver. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted February 12, 2004 A far cry from the whole stadium chanting Osama. Of course the fans will boo the US players, given that its their home country and that we invaded a sovereign nation without provocation, but I don't see a big deal out of it. Keep telling yourself that. The chants reguardless of how small they are utter bullshit and uncalled for. Chanting Osama would be no different if the U.S. Hockey team was playing Russia and a group of fans shouted Stalin during the Russian national anthem. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
deancoles 0 Report post Posted February 12, 2004 Looking at the USA team I could only recognize one player Landon Donovan. What happened to Claudio Rena, Kobe Jones, Ernie Stewart, and the goalie Keller? Reyna and Keller had matches last night with their clubs in England so they couldn't play. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Baron 0 Report post Posted February 12, 2004 NBC will now ignore this competition Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RepoMan 0 Report post Posted February 12, 2004 I'm not gonna get my nationalist panties in a bind over a few dozen drunks being idiots for Christ sakes. If the game was in Philly (or NY) and if pepole in Philly carred about soccer you'd have a lot more pepole saying stupid shit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest MikeSC Report post Posted February 12, 2004 A far cry from the whole stadium chanting Osama. Of course the fans will boo the US players, given that its their home country and that we invaded a sovereign nation without provocation, but I don't see a big deal out of it. Keep telling yourself that. The chants reguardless of how small they are utter bullshit and uncalled for. Chanting Osama would be no different if the U.S. Hockey team was playing Russia and a group of fans shouted Stalin during the Russian national anthem. Actually, a MORE accurate analogy would be chanting "Hitler" at an Israeli athletic team. -=Mike ...Crap like this is why I refuse to feel bad about the "excessive" patriotism American crowds have when major int'l competitions are in American cities Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest jpclemmons Report post Posted February 13, 2004 And where's that Adu kid everyone keeps talking about? In Middle School. Looking at the USA team I could only recognize one player Landon Donovan. What happened to Claudio Rena, Kobe Jones, Ernie Stewart, and the goalie Keller? Reyna, Kobe, and Stewart and Keller couldn't play because they are over 23. Only U23 teams could qualify for the olympics. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest jpclemmons Report post Posted February 13, 2004 At least with Donovan, Adu, and Johnny Beazley there's hope for the future. The sport needs charasmatic, exciting stars. These guys could deliver. Bobby Convey who plays for DC United in the MLS will be another star for the future. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
razazteca 0 Report post Posted February 13, 2004 Has the Under 23 been the rule forever? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
k thx 0 Report post Posted February 13, 2004 A far cry from the whole stadium chanting Osama. Of course the fans will boo the US players, given that its their home country and that we invaded a sovereign nation without provocation, but I don't see a big deal out of it. Keep telling yourself that. The chants reguardless of how small they are utter bullshit and uncalled for. Chanting Osama would be no different if the U.S. Hockey team was playing Russia and a group of fans shouted Stalin during the Russian national anthem. Actually, a MORE accurate analogy would be chanting "Hitler" at an Israeli athletic team. -=Mike It really isn't anything like that. Anyways, the rule (i believe) was always under-23's but with 3 or so players allowed over that age. Britain doesn't have an olypic soccer team, so I'm not 100% sure. And the Osama chants aren't as bad as the recent derby game I went to, when during a minutes silence for a member of staff for the opposing team who'd recently died, almost all of our fans started chanting "you dead bastard". Sick shit... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
caboose 0 Report post Posted February 14, 2004 Anyways, the rule (i believe) was always under-23's but with 3 or so players allowed over that age. Britain doesn't have an olypic soccer team, so I'm not 100% sure. You are correct young Chave. All players have to be Under-23 except three. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dr. Tyler; Captain America 0 Report post Posted February 14, 2004 Actually, a MORE accurate analogy would be chanting "Hitler" at an Israeli athletic team. -=Mike ...Crap like this is why I refuse to feel bad about the "excessive" patriotism American crowds have when major int'l competitions are in American cities Don't get me wrong, I'm not sticking up for Osama or anything... ...but he's nowhere close to Hitler. One killed 10,000 (and that's an exaggeration), and one killed several million. Don't exaggerate. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mole 0 Report post Posted February 15, 2004 We will NEVER be good at soccer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
