In-depth interviews with U.S. stars for almost a week. Highlights of U.S. games from decades ago. Glowing praise of American soccer.
That’s what you got in the days surrounding the United States’ 2-0 win over Mexico – if you happened to be in Mexico.
I spent a family vacation in 80-degree Puerto Vallarta while my colleague Will Kuhns was in sub-freezing Columbus. Taking a stack of newspapers down to the beach each day I saw how the Mexican press treated the Americans like stars and the Mexicans like villains.
The Mexican players had been dubbed Los Mudos – “the mutes” – because of their media boycott. The Americans were quoted at length.
There was no sign in Mexican media coverage of an acrimonious rivalry – which can’t be said about what we’ve seen from the U.S. side. In particular in 1997, when an official U.S. Soccer release included a “I hate them” quote from Eric Wynalda. And ABC promoted the game as a possible bloodbath.
Pregame quotes from Arena and Co. praised Mexico and its players. Brian McBride cut a particularly charming figure in a TV interview, saying he was honored to be compared to Luis Hernandez by the interviewer. Ante Razov fielded questions in Spanish, as did Claudio Reyna, who joked amiably.
Assistant coach Dave Sarachan entertained Mexican viewers by drawing a mock U.S. lineup in which every player attacked and joked about playing a game of tick-tack-toe.
During the telecast, commentators screamed “Goool” and described them with the same enthusiasm that they would have for the home team. One offered a flattering opinion that the USA was tactically, technically, physically and mentally superior.
The day after, sports daily Esto‘s headline screamed: “Shut up … and stay mute.” Again, Americans were praised and their quotes were gracious and humble.
It may be unfair to burden soccer players with the responsibility of creating a positive image of their country abroad. Nevertheless, the Americans succeeded.