That voodoo that you (un)do

In the weeks leading up to last night’s USA v. Mexico World Cup Qualifier, it was publicized that Mexican Radio Shack stores were giving out voodoo dolls in the likenesses of American players. How’d that work out for them? 2-0. Again.

Michael Bradley’s two goals, one a rebound off of an Oguchi Onyewu header that was saved by goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez, and the second a long shot that probably should have been saved, were more than enough to defeat Mexico and their toothless attack. The match was not particularly well played, and while there’s no way to really tell how much of that was because of the weather conditions in Columbus, I’ll take 3 points over Mexico any way that they come.

One could make the argument that a win over 10-man Mexico is not that big in the grand scheme of things, but don’t forget that the score was 1-0 before Rafael Marquez executed a flying sidekick into the leg of goalkeeper Tim Howard and was ejected, and that Mexico wasn’t showing much in the way of attack before that. The exception, of course, was the shot by Giovani Dos Santos directly into the feet of Howard from 10 yards away just 3 minutes into the match. Other than that, Howard wasn’t really tested. The ejection of Marquez was no surprise, as historically Mexico resorts to unnecessarily physical play and bullying tactics when they’re losing. However, this morning I’ve learned that after the match US defender Frankie Hejduk was slapped in the face by Mexican assistant coach Paco Ramirez. Between Marquez on the field, and Ramirez off the field, Mexico again shows its class in defeat.

In the end, Mexico comes to the US and loses, again, in a match that counts. 2-0 almost never fails to sound good when it comes to El Tri, and this time is no different.