Dear United States,
Thank you for beating Panama and keeping us alive in World Cup Qualifications.
Sincerely,
Mexico
Just when it was doom and gloom for Mexico and the Grim Reaper was creeping in to end their World Cup dreams Tuesday, their neighbors to the north bailed them out by scoring two goals in stoppage time in a 3-2 win against Panama.
Thanks to the Stars and Stripes throwing Mexico a lifeline, El Tri now has a home-and-
home playoff with New Zealand in November for a spot in Brazil.
The U.S. claimed the top spot in CONCACAF (North America/Caribbean) World Cup qualifiers and can punch their ticket to Brazil next June. Costa Rica finished in second, while Honduras claimed the third and final guaranteed spot.
Though some Americans wanted the U.S. to blow their game and end Mexico’s hopes altogether, the U.S. needs Mexico in the World Cup.
Here are five reasons why:
1) Without question, Mexico and the U.S. are the perennial powerhouses in CONCACAF. If FIFA notices one team struggle, they can revoke one of the three guaranteed World Cup spots and give it to another continent’s soccer federation.Oceania used to have a guaranteed spot for one nation in the tournament. Now, New Zealand would be the only team to qualify from Oceania if they beat Mexico.
2) Money, money and then some more money. Just in the U.S. alone, Univision put down $325 million for the rights to broadcast the 2010 and 2014 World Cups in Spanish. Even though ESPN still broadcasts the matches at the quadrennial tourney, it doesn’t hold the soccer monopoly. Back on June 11, Unimas broadcasted the match between Mexico and Costa Rica to an average of 2.8 million people. Only 2.6 million viewers tuned in to the U.S. vs. Panama on Unimas and ESPN the same night.
3) According to a May report from the Pew Hispanic Center, 33.7 million people of Mexican background live in the U.S. With a fan base that massive, it wouldn’t be a surprise if it rivals that of the New York Yankees or the Miami Heat for most fans in the country.
4) Adidas said that Mexico sold more jerseys than any other nation during the 2010 World Cup with one million jerseys coming off the rack. El Tri passed Spain, Germany and Argentina in that category.
5) American fans won’t admit it, but they want Mexico to do well. When the rivals are both doing well, everyone wins.It’s one thing to beat Mexico when they’re struggling; it’s another to beat them when they’re threatening to lead CONCACAF.
Tuesday night, a Mexican broadcaster screamed, “We love you U.S.A! God bless America!” over a broadcast.There’s a good chance American broadcasters may have to do the same thing in the future.
gh181212@ohiou.edu
@charliehatch_
