The United States faced Mexico for the first time in 1934 and won 4-2 in a World Cup qualifier.
It took 46 years and 25 games for the United States to win again. But in the 17 years, what had been a one-sided competition, has become one of the biggest rivalries of soccer, with a United States that has a 13-7-5 mark since 2000. The rivalry will return to revive this Sunday when the United States visit the Estadio Azteca, the largest fortress of the Mexican national team in qualifying.
Writer Kevin Baxter of the Los Angeles Times spoke with nine retired players who were on both sides of the court to get their opinion on the meaning of the rivalry.
What makes this party so big?
Jared Borgetti: For Mexico, losing to the United States is serious. It's something that people hate, especially if it's at home.
Alexis Lalas: There is an element, as we live it in many places that we have gone, that in many countries there is nothing in which they can compete with us and win us. Only in soccer. It is time to be better than the United States in something. And they savor that moment.
Carlos Hermosillo: Facing Honduras, playing a tie against Costa Rica, is important and difficult. But facing the United States is another thing altogether. You not only get all three points. You receive the congratulations of the people, of the Mexicans who live in the United States. The games are completely different because of the rivalry. There is a lot of courage and fight.
Pavel Pardo: We must not forget that we are neighboring countries. It means more for your country, it's more for the fans. Every game you dispute does not want to lose, but especially those games. You have to win them.
How does this rivalry compare to others globally?
Stuart Holden: For me, it's the best in the world. I know there is Real Madrid-Barcelona, Boca-River, but there is no other bigger than United States-Mexico. Being part of this rivalry is what you always want as a soccer player. That adds intensity. Your blood is boiling before the game starts.
Eric Wynalda: The game requires all the commitment and understanding - at all levels - because you do not want to be wrong in that game. And you know that game is going to be analyzed a lot.
Landon Donovan: This is not a game where you do not go for a ball because you want to take care of it for the rest of the season. This game, especially in the situation that is the United States right now, is all or nothing.
Claudio Suárez: The atmosphere was always very emotional. On many occasions, it seemed that someone was going to start throwing punches. Fortunately, that never happened. But there is always a lot of passion in each game.
Among others!
