MEXICO CITY — Tab Ramos has seen his fair share of the USA-Mexico rivalry over the years. He’s lined up against Mexico at the Estadio Azteca more than once, but he never came away with a win the way the US did here on Wednesday night.
The 1-0 victory at the Estadio Azteca, therefore, was particularly special for the former US international and current assistant with the US national team (above, far left). But equally important, he said, the result reminded the world that there are still two powerhouses in CONCACAF.
“Because of all that Mexico has done and all the respect we have for Mexico and how far they’ve come along, it’s important to show that, ‘Hey, you still got to worry about us,’” Ramos told MLSsoccer.com after the mach. “I think we sent that message, and that’s important for our program for years to come.”
Mexico are famously in the middle of a golden era, having recently added an Olympic gold medal to their two consecutive Gold Cup titles, a pair of recent U-17 World Cup titles and a strong, third-place showing in last year's U-20 World Cup. For Ramos, who had 81 caps for the USMNT and is considered one of the most technically gifted American players of all time, the Mexican program's recent accomplishments are not receiving their proper due from the soccer world outside of CONCACAF.
“Had Holland done [what Mexico have done] or had England done it, they’d be talking about the great revolution of the sport,” Ramos said. “But because Mexico are from our region, maybe they don’t get the respect worldwide that they should. We respect them. But we don’t fear them. And they know that.”
