USA vs. Mexico: Running Commentary

Good evening folks. I'm coming to you from Reliant Stadium where we are little more than an hour away from kickoff of the USA-Mexico friendly. You will be able to follow along with the match here. I will do a running commentary and will encourage all SBI readers to share their thoughts on the game in the comments section. This is going to be a exciting game.

Enjoy the match and follow along after the jump

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That's all for tonight. I'll be heading down to the interviews and will try to post something later on. Thank you for following the match and check back in tomorrow (or late tonight) for some post-match reactions.

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What we learned tonight:

• Altidore is officially ready to be penciled in as a starting forward for the United States.
• Ramiro Corrales is NOT an international level left back.
• Drew Moor is NOT an international level right back.
• Tim Howard isn't giving up the No. 1 shirt any time soon.
• Bocanegra and Onyewu are THE best center back tandem the Americans have. PERIOD.
• Giovani Dos Santos is going to cause major problems for the USA in the future (I know, Duh)
• Freddy Adu is a good second-half sub, but not ready to be a starter.

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FINAL- USA 2, Mexico 2. A fair result as neither team took over the match.

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90th minute- Edu fouls Dos Santos, who has looked good the past few minutes. He's so deceptively quick.

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89th minute- Corrales fouls Dos Santos on the left edge and Mexico have a great chance here.

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84th minute- A 2-2 result would be a fair one tonight. Mexico had more stretches of good soccer but the Americans finished their chances tonight. The game has gone flat and I'm not sure there's another goal here.

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79th minute- Maurice Edu in for Ricardo Clark.

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78th minute- Bocanegra has been solid tonight.

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74th minute- Not a bad match from Ricardo Clark today. Nothing spectacular, but steady.

And Freddy Adu to take a corner.

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72nd minute- Antonio Naelson came in for Adolfo Bautista and Dos Santos came in for Carlos Vela.

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71st minute- And Dos Santos is about to come into the match.

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70th minute- Another Mexico free kick after an Onyewu foul. Convey is out and Lewis is in. Convey was invisible tonight.

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68th minute- Mexico makes a sub but it isn't Dos Santos.

Eddie Lewis is ready to come in.

Attendance tonight is 70,103. A sellout.

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66th minute- I wonder when we'll see Giovani Dos Santos.

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65th minute- Marquez and Altidore have had a nice battle today. It's easy to forget that he's only 18.

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62nd minute- Bradley had an up and down game, he made some good plays and also turned the ball over in bad spots. Dempsey didn't have a big impact aside from that great goal that was waived off.

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61st minute- Feilhaber and Adu in for Bradley and Dempsey.

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59th minute- It looks as if Antonio Denigris is playing the villain role for Mexico, between his dust-up with Tim Howard and his yapping with Oguchi Onyewu.

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58th minute- The U.S. team looks a bit lost and I'm trying to decide who has had a worse game, Drew Moor or Ramiro Corrales.

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56th minute- Things are getting REAL ugly, with DeNigris and Howard getting mixed up and Torrado wiping out Convey with an ugly challenge. This is the rivalry we know and love.

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47th minute- GOAL MEXICO. Drew Moor gets beaten again. Magallon scores his second of the match in identical fashion, ghosting into the back post. the U.S. team's defending on set pieces has been horrific.

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HALFTIME- USA 2, Mexico 1. Altidore's header was a thing of beauty and after a stagnant first 30 minutes the Americans look confident.

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44th minute- It didn't count, but that Dempsey finish was clinical and you have to wonder if Mexico's defense is feeling the pressure right now.

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42nd minute- Dempsey has a goal disallowed for offside. What an amazing finish. Still waiting on a replay. Apparently, the offside was called well before Dempsey shot.

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40th minute- GOAL USA- JOZY ALTIDORE. A beautiful header to finish off a perfect cross from Drew Moor. The future is now people.

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38th minute- Salcido with a yellow after an ugly foul on Donovan.

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36th minute- GOAL MEXICO. Jonny Magallon buries a Pavel Pardo free kick, beating Drew Moor to tie the score.

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34th minute- Ramiro Corrales is struggling big time tonight. Mexico gets another dangerous free kick.

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31st minute- GOAL USA. Oguchi Onyewu with a skying header off a Donovan pass. USA 1, Mexico 0.

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24th minute- Mexico is pouring it on but, as in so many of the past matches against the United States, they just can't finish.

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22nd minute- Carlos Bocanegra looks okay after an ugly collision with Tim Howard.

Mexico has enjoyed the better stretches of possession and Salcido just dribbled past Michael Bradley.

Tim Howard with two saves in two minutes.

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13th minute- No good chances yet and we're still waiting for Altidore or Donovan to make a mark.

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9th minute- Michael Bradley is all over the field for the U.S.

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5th minute- Mexico has the early possession and Adolfo Bautista looks like he's going to be a handful tonight.

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1st minute- And we're under way.

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8:24pm- The U.S. uniforms make the team look like England from way up here atop Reliant Stadium

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8:22pm- The anthems are over and the U.S. anthem had a good voice behind it. Jozy Altidore looks totally relaxed and Oguchi Onyewu looks like he's ready to step into the Octagon and destroy somebody.

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8:19pm- The US team is wearing warm up tops in order to not show the new uniforms yet.

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8:18pm- The FIFA music is playing, which means the teams are taking the field.

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8:07pm- Jozy Altidore in the starting lineup has to have U.S. fans buzzing. He looked very good against Sweden and his size and speed combination is going to create problems for the Mexican central defense of Rafael Marquez and Jonny Magallon.

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7:49pm- An interesting tidbit regarding Jonathan Spector. USSF president Sunil Gulati revealed that US Soccer reached an agreement with West Ham to not call up Spector for tonight's match in order to call Spector up for U.S. Under-23 Olympic Qualifying in March. The agreement was made before Steve Cherundolo's injury for Hamburg, which explains how the squad wound up with just one legit right back on the roster.

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7:30pm (central time)- The teams have taken the field for warmups and the crowd roar just sent a chill up the spine. The place isn't even half full yet but you can already feel the excitement.

Comments

[Scott A]

I'm psyched

[Mighty]

NO matter what happens tonight......... I believe that Soccer is finnaly here..... Never have i fealt like i lived in a soccer nation....... Yes we are a soccer nation!

[Kim]

seriously?

[Derek (Brooklyn)]

I might be a bit too excited considering the game doesn't start for 45 minutes. Wish I was in Texas for this one. Ives, any chance the friendly against a top 5 team (Argentina?) will be in NY?

[Dannyc58]

Ives thanks for the Spector info. I was wondering if it was due to Lucas Neill having to fly across all the timezones for todays game, and that would allow Specs to play Saturday.

Interesting, thank you...

[ManicMessiah]

I've been pumped up all day for this match. I can't wait for it to get started.

Definitely pleased with the starting lineup as a whole.

[eric]

How about some excitement for Altidore scoring the start!

[ManicMessiah]

It's so great to have JP doing this game.

[Fireball]

THANK YOU for the Spector update. That was the one disappointment for me. On my card, Spector goes in before Pearce (and Corrales for that matter).

[eric]

Yeah i totally agree. But this begs the question: Would Altidore have started if Twellman did not get injured?

[ClayG]

Rafa Marquez looks like a Vegas female impersonator getting ready for his routine.

[Brooks]

Any official reason on why Heath Pearce pulled out? Injury?

[Nath]

I really like the way ESPN starts the broadcast...A nice change

[Rufus]

COME ON BOYS!!!!

DO WORK

[Neal]

Thanks for dressin up for the gig, Julie Foudy.

is she wearing a sweatshirt?

[Fireball]

I'm stuck watching this on Univision. But I guess I'm glad I'm not watching JF. I get Landon interviews in Spanish though!

[Alexis]

Julie looks terrible on HD. Dang!!!

[Brooks]

Fire Foudy, hire Ives!

[ManicMessiah]

Ives, Rob Stone is guessing an 80/20 split as far as mexico/us fans. Where would you put it?

[Ted]

Jozy with the No. 9, I like it.

[Uncle Jason]

In Argentina, up late. Not sure who will be calling the game on ESPN +, but it has to be better than Univision or Julie Foudy.

Great info, Ives. Good starting lineup, I hope Jozy settles in and gives us a show! And Landon, stop being such a pussy and take some mid-range shots and test those Mexicans!

[Rocco]

20% Americans 80% Mexicans in the stands. Unf...in beleivable

[expat lumberjack]

um, is it just espn2, or was the music that played as the players came onto the field horrific 80s synth?

[eric]

Fascinating, an all-instrumental anthem, I'll take the band over the last chick to place 3rd on American Idol...

[kpugs]

What do you think Ives, 20% U.S. fans or is that being too generous?

[Nath]

I like the new version of the anthem

[CO_Soccer_Fan]

I'm so pumped. Let's get this game started. Go USA!

[Mike M]

I still don't like the new jerseys.

[eric]

Dempsey's gotten into the "Bad Preppie" look, he's the perfect model for the new uni's

[Javier]

first yellow card?

mikey? marquez? gooch? moor?

[Nath]

Clark we can't afford a red tonight please

[Joamiq]

LET'S GO RED WHITE AND BLUE

[derek]

Ives,

what are your thoughts on the new kits?

[kpugs]

Now that I see them, the jerseys aren't awful.

[Fireball]

That looked like a legit tackle from Clark to me.

[Joamiq]

The red stripe through the middle of the name on the back of the jersey makes it look like it was designed in 2 minutes

[Dominick]

I agree, the jerseys aren't too bad

[Nath]

oh come on! no 30 at 30 ESPN2

[Fireball]

The jerseys look much better with the big numbers on the back.

[Joamiq]

Ah, the dulcet tones of JP Dellacamera... and Harkes is sounding pretty good too

[Nath]

pressure from MEX so far

[Dominghosa]

USA! USA! !VIVA ESTADOS UNIDOS! OK, gotta finish working. Hope to be back in an hour. Glad to see Jozy starting. Surprised to see Gio not.

[kpugs]

I still say I never saw this Michael Bradley in an MLS jersey. Man alive, who knew?

[Rocco]

Bradley's an animal. Convey looks a little rusty.

[Fireball]

I agree. Bradley is a monster right now. He and dempsey are showing their experience.

[Joamiq]

"Dead ball which Landon is fantastic at"
Really John? Because he NEVER gets it over the first defender.

[CO_Soccer_Fan]

Soccer fans... We have a game now. USA is warming up...

[eric]

Durn it, can't BB just order LD to go poach goals, not hit his floaters for service?!?

[George]

John Harkes needs to relax!! the first 15 minutes of most soccer games are not polished let them settle in.

[ClayG]

Landon's free kick 'a little low' what a surprise.

[Rocco]

Dempsey's nasty. You can tell he's being playing in the Premiership.

[eric]

Hmmmm... that was sort of telling - Rico Clark just didn't have that burst of speed at the end. Hopefully cuz he's out of season...

[Geoff]

anyone know where i can find this game online? us Canucks don't get espn

[Javier]

mikey and dempsey are really standing out for us...no one else has really shown anything.

[kpugs]

Jozy must be drinking his muscle milk, brush Marquez on the shoulder while smoking him and he goes down like a sack of potatoes.

[CO_Soccer_Fan]

Jozy almost had Marquez beat...

[ClayG]

Rafa straight got burned by Jozy. He's lucky there was a call.

[kpugs]

What was Bocanegra doing there???

[Fireball]

They are having some trouble with Jozy's size, but not his skill. Yet

[beckster]

These things happen quite often? I don't think so!

[eric]

See, Eddie Johnson just isn't the type of guy to push over his defender to get to a ball. Altidore just is that aggressive. Love it, it's what keeps him running at defenders.

[Nath]

Oh no Bocanegra is down

[Joamiq]

I would not feel any less confident with Parkhurst in there for Boca or Gooch

[kpugs]

I can't shake the feeling that the U.S. are outnumbered right now.

[Fireball]

Howard!

[CO_Soccer_fan]

Howard is on a roll as always. The man rocks!

[kpugs]

(the players not the fans)

[Fireball]

Yeah. Mexico's whole team looks sharp, but we've got some holes.

[quakes fan]

If only the US could string together a few passes and get some decent touches. Mexico is looking much more competent right now

[Rocco]

US midfield needs to get the ball and start bumbing it around. They are content if they get it to try to hit Jozy over the top. Not good.

[ManicMessiah]

Mexico's jerseys look like the homemade ones from 'the big green'.

[Joamiq]

I think this is simply too high a level of soccer for Drew Moor to handle

[kpugs]

Hey espn2...ANYONE WHO CARES WHAT'S GOING ON ON THE OTHER CHANNELS IS PROBABLY WATCHING THEM. IDIOTS.

[Rocco]

Edu for Clark. Adu for Convey in the 2nd. Neither is doing anything.

[eric]

undercutting b@stard!!!

[Joamiq]

Superb touch with the head by Donovan, but that cross was too tall for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

[Fireball]

That's a nice combo. Dempsey to Donovan to Altidore (kind of) with Bradley trailing. Isn't that what we're waiting to see?

[beckster]

why is donavan taking corners....he is terrible!

[Joamiq]

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOCH

[Fireball]

Goal!!!!! Gooch!

[ManicMessiah]

GOOOOOOOCH!!!!!

[Javier]

OVERRATED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[quakes fan]

GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

[Dominghosa]

GGGGGGGGGGGGGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLLL!
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOCH!

[George]

Dempsey great play to get back past midfield and start something!! We have on wing play at all, why is Gooch pushing up, our left backs and right backs need to do that...oh wait Gooch with the goal!!!

[Nath]

gooch! 1-0

[kpugs]

EAT IT OCHOA, EAT IT LONG AND EAT IT HARD

[DCM]

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOCHHHHHHHHH

[quakes fan]

poor poor Mexico they play better we get lucky ahhahahahahaha

[eric]

And then on D!!! Gooch is unstoppable!!!

[Will]

WOOOOW! GUUUUUUCH!

[CO_Soccer_fan]

Finally a little pressure by the US and Mexico folds like a big babies... Awesome! USA 1 Mehico 0

[Fireball]

Our height won that. Jozy forces Ochoa to punch it out, and the Gooch gets puts in the jump ball.

[kpugs]

Get this diver up off the ground.

[eric]

don't dive landon, we don't pull that crap

[Fireball]

Maybe we should make our defenders strikers. First Robinson, now Gooch.

[RS]

Almost time to call the Wambulance to come pick up some Mexican players. If the US can somehow get a second goal before the halftime whistle the whining and crying is going to be out in full force.

[RS]

I typed too soon. My bad.

[Nath]

1-1

[Fireball]

No! That's on Moor.