Credit to Mexico.  They did what many thought was impossible.  They knocked off Germany today 1-0 in an exciting game from start to finish.  Mexico had a game plan and executed it well.  They believed they could win and did.  You could see the emotion in the Mexican players at the final whistle, many of them in tears.

A quote I read in Paul Kennedy’s Soccer America article summed it up well, when Mexican coach Juan Carlos Osorio said, “the phrase today was to play for the love of winning, not for the fear of losing,” Osorio said. “We played with bravery when it was needed and we defended with all our hearts.”

Mission accomplished Mexico – congratulations!

Our boys soccer coach at Sonoma Academy -Roy Vega- invited me to watch the game with his father Serafin, brother Fin (who also helped coach at SA) and Nathan Riebli (music director and assistant coach at SA).  I was glad I went.  In addition to watching the game with good friends and colleagues, they had a great set up (massive TV, comfortable couch and great food).  I was cheering for Germany and similar to everyone else in the world outside of Mexico (and maybe a few in Mexico that didn’t think it was possible), I was expecting Germany to win.  That all changed quickly.

I arrived in my Germany uniform and they jokingly turned me away.  For 90+ minutes they were passionately cheering on Mexico, standing every time Mexico created a dangerous chance to goal.  Initially, I tried to stay relaxed, even as Germany trailed at the half.   As the game wore on, you could sense it was Mexico’s day.  The game ended with me pleading Germany to show a sense of urgency and them urging Mexico to see the game off.  When the final whistle blew, Mexico had pulled it off.

I was disappointed that the team I picked to win it all failed to perform in a way that convinced anyone, especially me, that they will.  It’s early but now the pressure is on Germany to bounce back.  They are certainly capable, but as we have witnessed in this World Cup, nothing can be taken for granted.

Thanks to the Vega’s for their hospitality and congratulations to Mexico.  Fans around the world took notice.

 

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