<p>After losing to the USA 2-0 in front of a heavily pro-Mexican sellout crowd of 64,462 in Glendale, Arizona (who pelted the Americans with water bottles it seemed on every corner kick), the Mexican team stalked off the field and refused to engage in the traditional post game handshake and exchange of jerseys.</p>
<p>…and they call these “friendly” matches </p>
<p>…imagine the uproar if a US team in any sport behaved this way</p>
<p>… … …</p>
<p>link ?</p>
<p>“I don’t play any friendlies, especially not with the United States” (more or less)</p>
<p>don’t remember which Mexican player said that one, but it is what it is. The Mexican team lacks a lot of class, bottom line.</p>
<p>As do the Americans… lol</p>
<p>Mexico vs. US is never a friendly match, everyone who knows about soccer realizes this. It’s a rivalry that has been going on for some years now.</p>
<p>Armando,</p>
<p>There were no such problems in the 65 years that the USA went 5-27-9 against Mexico. It is only in the last few years, coincident with the USA actually winning games on a regular basis that these incidents began.</p>
<p>This is not a rivalry issue. This is about losing…and sour grapes.</p>
<p>There are lots of rivalries more intense than this - and they still shake hands and exchange jerseys after the match. </p>
<p>And its not about the crowd. Nobody is really paying any attention here. Thus a capacity crowd predominantly pro Mexico at a US home game. Not exactly a hostile environment for the Mexican players.</p>
<p>There were no complaints about the officiating nor the on field conduct of the USA players. In short, there was no excuse.</p>
<p>This is about losing, …</p>
<p>From the Philly Daily News</p>
<p>“…Saying that Mexico has a mad-on about the United States in soccer is a gross understatement. …There was a reason Mexico coach Hugo Sanchez, a former playing legend, stacked his roster with veterans. He desperately wanted a victory. … After going 27-5-9 against the United States from 1934 to 1999 (including going unbeaten in 24 games over 46 years), Mexico was a dismal 2-7-1 against the USA going into Wednesday, including … that
humbling 2-0 loss to the United States in the Round of 16 at World Cup 2002.”</p>
<p>…about losing …</p>
<p>For Wednesday’s game, Mexico’s team averaged 27.2 years of age, as opposed to 25.5 for the USA. The average caps (international-game appearances) were 38.9 to 17.8 in Mexico’s favor. Of Mexico’s 20-man roster, 14 players appeared in World Cup 2006. The United States had nine World Cup players."</p>
<p>…about losing. Mexico treated this game as if it were a Cup final - the US didn’t - and they still lost. …and they are upset. …with the US. …for winning - some of the games…after all, Mexico still leads the series 29-13-10.</p>
<p>This makes sense? Shake hands and exchange jerseys only when you win? Who is going to be there to shake and exchange with if everyone follows that lead?</p>
<p>From Swiss site Goal.com </p>
<p>"Video of the Week: Landon May Have A Point</p>
<p>U.S. forward Landon Donovan, who has never really had positive things to say about Mexico nor is he perceived in a positive light by Mexicans, complained about the Mexican players after the 2-0 American victory Wednesday night.</p>
<p>(Click here to read what Donovan said.)</p>
<p>It appears, though, the Mexican players’ lack of sportsmanship extends beyond simply not wanting to shake hands or to exchange sweat-soaked shirts …</p>
<p>After Donovan’s late goal, Mexico goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez made a studs-up lunge/tripping motion at U.S. striker Eddie Johnson.</p>
<p>Roll the video below to see for yourself."</p>