GUADALAJARA, Mexico – It's hard to imagine the United States ever getting such a warm vibe from the press down in Mexico as they did on Wednesday morning.
“We Love You!” was Récord’s main headline, in English, after the United States saved Mexico the ignominy of a fifth-place finish in the Hex thanks to Graham Zusi and Aron Jóhannsson’s late goals against Panama on Tuesday.
Below is a photo of Javier “Chicharito” Hernández with his arms aloft holding the Stars and Stripes.
“A pathetic Tricolor owes its life to its bitter rival,” reads the blurb in the same newspaper. “The US saves a Mexican collapse.”
In the sports supplement of El Universal, US players are embracing in the central, front-page photo, underneath the headline, “If it wasn’t for them …”
Inside the sports pages of Reforma is a cartoon depicting a bruised and injured Mexico being dragged along the ground hanging onto the coattails of Uncle Sam dressed as Superman.
The caption from the grateful Mexican reads, “A superhero never abandons an injured person,” while Uncle Sam’s response is “Get off me, you’re going to pass on your curse.”
The overriding sentiment in all publications south of the border is one of gratitude, with the Fox Deportes header on the front of their website simply stating, “Gracias, USA.”
Over at ESPN Deportes is a photo of Puebla defender Michael Orozco Fiscal celebrating his goal against Panama with the backdrop of a US flag and Chicharito underneath praying.
“God bless America!” is the headline, a sentiment shared by many supporters of El Tri in the aftermath of an epic Tuesday evening in CONCACAF.
Tom Marshall covers Americans playing in Latin America for MLSsoccer.com. E-mail him at tom.marshall.mex@gmail.com.
