Why can the Mexican national soccer team not shake hands with the U.S. side?

Question

I am a high school history teacher who speaks Spanish. I am of Mexican descent. I have a Spanish surname. Most of my students are Mexican American. I am unabashedly proud of my Latino heritage. Nevertheless I find the Mexican national football side's inablity or unwillingness to shake hands with the U.S. side after the game tonight in Glendale, AZ to be disturbing and frankly somewhat immature. What is it? Memories of Guadalupe Hidalgo? The politics of immigration? (Relatively) understandable anger over the Mexican American War? What about just showing some adult maturity and congratulating the other team when you lose a game? Is Mexico the only country in the world unable to be graceful in defeat?

Answer 1

I guess no matter how you try--you can't get politics out of sports. As I drove by the stadium just before the Game tonight--I saw about half of the cars flying Mexican Flags. I got to with-in a balls throw of the stadium--there could have been some tension, but at the time everyone was just having a good time. Tried to get tickets--but the game was sold out, and tickets from the vendors in the lot were just too high to bring the whole family.
I didn't see if anything during the game was judged incorrectly--- well, I hope this blows over. I don't need to read this story for the next week in the paper.

Answer 2

It makes me sick the way Mexican fans in Mexico and the Mexican team acted here in the U.S. The last game in Mexico City the fans were spitting and throwing things at the U.S team and the Mexico soccer team didn't shake hands. These teams should be some sort of reflection of their countries. If so, Mexico is an arrogant, no class country that has no place in world sports. Did you see the Mexican goalie take a swipe at one of the U.S. players after they scored the second goal? I don't care how the goalie felt. That was one of the most classless moves I've ever seen. I say we simply don't play these knuckleheads anymore. After seeing what happened tonight I actually feel good that Mexican soccer fans are suffering tonight. I hope the pain lasts for years. Now it's the Mexican fans job to speak up and send a message to their national team they have no class. But that will never happen.

Answer 3

It comes down to the fact that the Mexican team is frustrated. I watched the game and am I fan of Mexican soccer and US soccer so I don't feel biased towards one team or the other. The Mexican team played a better game of soccer then the US did. Blanco(forgive my spelling) for Mexico out played everybody on the field. Its just that the US got away with some lucky goals. The one thing that saved the US from losing was the US goalkeeper. If it wasn't for his superb play I feel that the game would have ended in a tie or with Mexico winning.

Answer 4

As a an American of Spanish and Mexican decent, I agree with you assessment of Mexico's team. But this lack of class and dirty play has been pervasive ever since 1990 when the U.S. began to improved their talent and standing in the world as well as defeat the Mexicans on a regular basis.

As for why the Mexicans would refuse to show Grace and sportsmanship after the game? For the simple reason they can't stand the Yanks beating them at their religion, Soccer. Mexico has so little else going for it these days, and the U.S. has so much. Jealousy, envy, resentment, hatred is too prevalent with the Mexicans.

Viva La Estados Unidos!

Answer 5

I actually thought that Mexico played a good game and was certainly unlucky not to score; additionally, they played a cleaner game than I've often seen from them. Believe me, Americans have no false illusions when it comes to our squad (and they are anything but perfect), but it should be recognized that soccer has come a long way in this country. And I think that is the crux of the issue: whereas Mexico was the sole dominant team in the CONCACAF region for decades, they have found themselves sharing (and at times relinquishing) the stage to the Americans. Ironically, most citizens of the USA had no idea the game was even occurring, whereas in Mexico, it's a national day of mourning (no exaggeration) when they lose to the USA. Admitting defeat is no sign of weakness, just honesty. I think pride prevents them from acknowledging that at times, just maybe, they were beaten by a better team.

Answer 6

This isn't a Mexican vs. American political issue. It comes down to the fact of poor sportsmanship. For years the Mexican Football team slapped around the US but in the last 20 years it has started to change. Mexican players have a self righteous attitude that their league is the best, and their national team can play with anyone but it isn't and they can't. The US wasn't even fielding its entire first team.

Answer 7

Well I don't know if this is your first time watching a Mexico vs. USA soccer game, they are strong rivals and do have reason to be. They each represent their country and the countries have problems between each other, in many situations. The U.S. team wasn't so graceful either, everytime they fell they stood there for like 5 minutes [[they always do that]], when the players of Mexico had the ball and good opportunity to goal, they would shove them with their arms and hands, not only the teams, but the fans in the U.S. side were chanting 'F*** You! F*** You!'. If you find all of that mature, then I don't know what you're doing as a high school history teacher where kids could look up to you and you could give them the wrong idea. As for all that pride for your Latino heritage...you're not really showing it, and your questions do seem too immature for that. There's nothing worse than one of us putting all of us down.


As for Adam, you say that they represent how Mexico is, you're representing how ignorant and arrogant the U.S. is. You act like the U.S. team was so perfect, please, they were little wussies, falling every two seconds and staying there for half the game, shoving when the other team had the ball, I'm sorry but it has foot in the name for a reason......Do as you preach...

Answer 8

Did you watch the game?? Mexico dominated futbolistically. USA won with lucky breaks. Mexico still dominated.
How classy is the US team. Did the US team attempt to Shake hands??? Did you see Landon the European reject, taunting after he got a lucky bounce from the ref on the second goal. Americans are hated around the world. Its not because of race, everyone hates the US because of their arrogance. How far did the US make it in the WC2006 Germany??? And how far did Mexico make it?? Check Mexico's record vs BRAZIL, ARGENTINA. Teams that matter. Remmember the US has several weeks practicing and the Mexican team has about 3 days of practice.
How does it it feel getting owned by Mexico in The World Baseball Classic. Latinos are better than you in your own sport. get a new sport. Nuff Said!

Answer 9

As far as I'm concerned this type of game is known to be a classic game. Classic games are between 2 teams that hate each other but just when talking about winning a match. Just like the Clasico Mexicano between the teams of Chivas and America.

Answer 10

for a professional you are asking a pretty uneducated question for as this is pro football and teams are not obligated to shake hands afterwards but players do tend to shake hands in the beginning of the game but many teams don't shake hands afterwards teams that are unfamiliar with there opponent.

P.S study the sport before asking suck a JR.high question.
or maybe you should ask why american players after the game ignored the hispanic reporters! racist or what was that all about?