Mexico Vs. USA Soccer Rivalry: The Greatest Rivalry in International Soccer?

By Rick Martin First Posted: Jun 22, 2023 07:30 AM EDT

The Mexico Vs. USA rivalry has been reignited when El Tri recently took on the USMNT in Las Vegas. As usual, tempers flared, opening another chapter in the storied "Un Clasico."

Much like most matches between the two North American soccer powerhouses, the latest one, which happened last weekend, ended in controversy after Mexican fans chanted a homophobic slur, as well as yet another scuffle on the field.

The rivalry has gone on for decades, with each meeting between the two countries being emotionally charged affairs. However, how did this rivalry start?

There was not really much of a rivalry in the 90s and early 80s, as Mexico, which is already obsessed with soccer at that time, usually dominated their neighbors to the north. However, as the years went by, the USMNT got good.

American players felt that Mexican fans and players usually looked down on them and that they were not at the same level, and then the 1990s happened and Team USA improved. The Americans got so good that they defeated Mexico over four straight matches in 1994, according to Bleacher Report.

The Mexicans did not like this, and it lit a fire under their belly that reignited a rivalry with plenty of beef on both sides of the border.

Landon Donovan Plays the Villain in Mexico Vs. USA Rivalry

For every good story, there needs to be a good villain. For Mexico, it was USMNT's Landon Donovan. The California native loved soccer and even learned Spanish to communicate with his Spanish-speaking teammates better. However, his talent meant that he was also the biggest thorn in Mexico's side.

The thing is, he knew this and embraced his role as one of the most hated men in Mexico. However, unlike most villains, Landon Donovan could actually back it up whenever he talks trash against Mexico or its fans.

As the Los Angeles Times put it, "Mexicans hated him because he was good." The former LA Galaxy star was so hated in Mexico that he was pelted with beer bottles, batteries, and even plastic bags filled with urine. During his youth, he embraced the hate and even trash-talked Mexican fans in Spanish... while in Mexico.

Donovan loved playing the villain in Mexico so much that he even appeared in Mexican commercials as the villain. However, as the years went by, the USMNT star has grown to respect Mexican fans and players and has even issued public apologies for his actions. In turn, Mexicans have also softened up on Donovan.

Mexico Vs. USA Games and 'Dos a Cero'

"Un Clasico" games between the USMNT and Mexico have always been emotional since the rivalry began, and USA star DaMarcus Beasley talked about his experiences regarding the rivalry with the official MLS website.

USA vs. Mexico is considered the greatest rivalry in international soccer, on the same level as Manchester United vs. Manchester City, FC Barcelona vs. Real Madrid, and Rangers vs. Celtic. However, Beasly says that "Un Clasico" is unique as they play not just in World Cup qualifiers but also in international friendlies.

The rivalry reached its peak in 2002 when for the first time, North America's biggest soccer rivals took "Un Clasico" to the grandest stage of them all, the World Cup. They met in the Round of 16, with the Americans winning it with a familiar score, "Dos a cero," 2-0.

As expected, it was highly emotional, with Rafael Martinez getting a red card and Landon Donovan playing the villain, delivering the second goal to make the score "Dos a cero." It has now become a meme, with Donovan being responsible for many of those 2-0 scores throughout the rivalry.

As the rivalry went on, matches between the two teams were never complete without red cards or yellow cards; and yes, it often ended with the score of "Dos a cero," 2-0.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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