February 07, 2008

2 men shot in Houston's Reliant Stadium parking lot after the US and Mexico play to a thrilling 2-2 draw.: In a sick sort of way, is it possible this shooting is good for soccer in America? This "friendly" was played before 70,103 fans and the nosie was so loud the players couldn't communicate with each other or hear the official's whistle.

posted by Texan_lost_in_NY to soccer at 02:20 PM - 15 comments

That's a very strange question, Texan. Soccer's got to be huge in Houston at this point, with the success of the Dynamo and the number of Latino fans of the sport. Anyone living there who can give an impression of how well it's covered in the local media?

posted by rcade at 05:04 PM on February 07, 2008

Who said they were Mexican, sunshine? Now where's that n00b welcoming kit?

posted by Texan_lost_in_NY at 09:03 PM on February 07, 2008

Now where's that n00b welcoming kit? We don't need no stinking welcoming kit. What we needs here, is a banhammer.

posted by tommybiden at 09:06 PM on February 07, 2008

Don't hate the game, hate the idiots who give the sport a bad name! FYI, soccer is the most popular sport in the world fool!

posted by Colcat33 at 10:08 PM on February 07, 2008

Wasn't it the Mexican soccer fans who continually chanted "Osama, Osama" when the USA team played in Mexico? Yes it was.

posted by Markus_J at 10:29 PM on February 07, 2008

Rcade, I live here in Houston and the Media (television and sports radio) are all over Soccer here. Myself, I don't keep up with it, much.

posted by texasred at 06:41 AM on February 08, 2008

Wasn't it the Mexican soccer fans who continually chanted "Osama, Osama" when the USA team played in Mexico? Yes it was. So what, o individual who also happens to have joined this site on February 7?

posted by lil_brown_bat at 08:36 AM on February 08, 2008

Well that's it then. In protest I will no longer eat at Taco Bell. I will not support their delicious culture any more until justice prevails. (ceremoniously tosses large foam sombrero into the trash)

posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 09:17 AM on February 08, 2008

(ceremoniously gives Weedy a large foam finger) We're number 1!

posted by lil_brown_bat at 09:53 AM on February 08, 2008

(ceremoniously picks up large foam sombrero and large foam finger and goes to next US-Mexico Friendly game) Lucky me!

posted by BoKnows at 09:57 AM on February 08, 2008

Nooooooooooooooo. The game is a great story, let's not let this thread degenerate into jokes. Did anyone see the game? Sounds like a really intriguing showdown, for a friendly. How sharp is Tim Howard looking these days? Goalie play has been a big strength for the US in international play, so we need Howard to be locked in... I love the second linked article's description of the US fans side-by-side with the Mexican fans, and especially the comment about families being divided by loyalties! I wish I kept up with the USMNT more closely, so I'd welcome details, observations and all from anyone who does. This would be a truly great rivalry if it keeps up like this, and will surely suck more people into watching the sport, perhaps even xenophobes!

posted by Venicemenace at 10:21 AM on February 08, 2008

I watched, Venice. Howard was very good, neither goal can be laid at his feet. Both were due to poor coverage on the corners by leftback Drew Moor, who let Magallones get free at the back post. I still don't see, after having him on the field for several USMNT games, why Bradley keeps picking Moor, he's shown me nothing and shouldn't be keeping either Jonathon, Spector or Bornstein, on the bench. Heck, Frank Simek, Jay Demerit and Marvell Wynne would probably be better choices too.

posted by billsaysthis at 10:32 AM on February 08, 2008

Nooooooooooooooo. The game is a great story, let's not let this thread degenerate into jokes. I thought it preferable to seeing it degenerate into racist asshattery. Your point is well taken, though. Great articles, wish I'd been there.

posted by lil_brown_bat at 10:38 AM on February 08, 2008

I joked, Venice, but I would love to go to a game like this. I have never been to a large scale soccer game, but I enjoy watching the USMNT along with the World Cup tournaments whenever possible. Personally, I hope soccer hits it big here in the US in order to allow me the "football" experience.

posted by BoKnows at 10:43 AM on February 08, 2008

...description of the US fans side-by-side with the Mexican fans... This is exactly what I expereinced when I went to same match-up at Reliant 5 years ago. There were about 30 of us doing the tailgate thing before the game when we saw this fine-ass van pull up behind. About 8 Mexico fans unloaded and then lowered a 5 foot ice sculpture of the eagle from the Mexican flag. It was awesome. We all went over there as they turned up the Tejano jams, put their sombreros on our heads while we wrapped American flags around them. People filing into the stadium stopped, joined in, took pictures---it was fantastic. We were dancing, singing, kicking the ball. It's an experience I'll never forget. BoKnows---you have to go to one of these games whenever they're in your area. You won't regret it. Bill is right about our defense, Moor in particular, but I thought the entire back line was crap. They were very disorganized and were constantly having to turn and run towards their own goal. We were lucky to tie this game.

posted by Texan_lost_in_NY at 02:40 PM on February 08, 2008

You're not logged in. Please log in or register.