MEXICANS AND THEIR DEFENSIVE WALL

Having nearly got over Brexit, I have been hit again by TrumpIN and although I try not to be too involved with politics at home or abroad, I couldn't help noticing that there is an international friendly fixed for this week to bring the festivities to an end. You couldn't make it up.

Yes, it is the USA v Mexico to be played on Friday 11th November at the Crew Stadium, Columbus, Ohio, a venue that has seen the Americans victorious on several occasions in WC Qualifiers, especially recently with the USA winning four times 2-0: "Dos a Cero".
http://www.espnfc.com/team/mexico/203/index

This match is another CONCACAF World Cup qualifying fixture. The fixture known as the Cold War (La Guerra Fria) has developed a special reputation and this week the description of a defensive wall may have another connotation.

Mexico's squad includes 4 Spanish based players, 4 in Portugal, 2 in Germany, 1 in the Netherlands and 1 in Italy as well as the rest playing at home of course. The Americans are more worldly with only 8 playing at home in the MSL.

The first meeting of the two teams was in 1934 in qualifying for the World Cup in Italy. The USA won 4-2. Over the years Mexico has dominated the fixture with 34 wins in 66 matches. Since the 1990s this has turned round with the more professional USA National Team victorious in 13 compared to 6 by Mexico.

The US professional league formed in 1921 folded in 1933, so there was not a huge tradition of soccer in the States, though this has changed since the 1990s. In Mexico the main league Liga MX was formed in 1943 and is regarded as the 20th strongest league in the world.

A documentary called "Gringos at the Gate" released in 2012 tells of the rivalry between the two nations.

More challenging this week may be the WC Qualifying contest between Brazil and Argentina. Sort of puts the England v Scotland match into perspective.