Mexico or New Zealand? An entirely unscientific poll of USMNT fans | SIDELINE

Greg Lalas

A few hours before kick off of the first leg of Mexico's World Cup 2014 Intercontinental Playoff against New Zealand, I put out a tweet asking US national team fans who they were going to root for. Obviously, considering the rivalry between the USMNT and El Tri, this question presents quite a quandary.

@Gaetjens Ahhhhh I don't know. It's a win either way.
— alex goedken (@alexanderflam) November 13, 2013

Some feel that if Mexico get into the World Cup, it symbolizes the strength of CONCACAF.

November 13, 2013

Others believe the opposite is true.

@Gaetjens New Zealand. I think it'll be better for concacaf in long run. Shows depth of confederation when big dog doesn't qualify
— Kyle Brown (@kyle9387) November 13, 2013

I imagine a few will disagree with the assessment of Mexico as CONCACAF's big dog. Though they acknowledge Mexico's importance. Sort of.

@Gaetjens @MLS gotta go with Mexico. The stronger they are the better it looks when we beat them
— Brandon Zebron (@BZeb95) November 13, 2013

Others like New Zealand because they are not happy about how Mexico have gone about their business lately. (Always?)

@Gaetjens NZL. The arrogance that the Mexican players and officials have shown over the last few months has been shameful #MEXvNZL
— Pascal Gygan (@irish_steve) November 13, 2013

Some feel sorry for Mexico.

@Gaetjens @MLS Mexico... For sort of the same reason you root for a cold, wet, sad & pathetic puppy dog.
— Matthew Martin (@blazermatt) November 13, 2013

And some definitely do not.

@Gaetjens @MLS New Zealand obviously, any #usmnt fan who roots for Mexico isn't a true fan. It's like a Yankee fan rooting for the Red Sox
— Chris (@chrisglend) November 13, 2013

Greg Lalas -

@Gaetjens