Brazil 2014: Styles and history make matches

You’re Mexican-American, and you are ready for the World Cup. Here’s why you’re going to suffer.

Americans, many of whom abandoned their history for a new identity. Mexicans, who are acutely aware of their empire, colonial and modern history, face the challenge of World Cup 2014 with different mentalities. So while Mexicans repeat their historical limit (el quinto partido) in World Cups, American players are almost oblivious to it.

Styles matter

Scissors, paper, stone. That is a game that can teach you so much about World Cup history and results. And it can save you money. How the different styles match up will make the groups and teams take shape.

Because once you master the basics of the game, there are maxims that will help you understand. And save money (yes, we’ll explain later)

So Jurgen Klinsmann decided – coldly, perhaps – to leave the one man who has provided the United States with the most intense World Cup experiences, off the team. There is no player with proven power to turn a match, what in Spanish is called “desequilibrar” on the team, than Landon Donovan. Yes, Michael Bradley is a good holding midfielder, developing without the offensive oomph of neither Yaya Toure, nor Michael Essien, to name two.

Upsets

So there are teams which pull off wild upsets: Cameroon on several outings in 1982 and 1990; Algeria beating Germany in 82; Nigeria beating Spain in 98, Denmark spanking Uruguay in 86; Senegal surprising colonial masters France 1-0 in 2002; Norway beating Brazil in 98. But good teams win matches; great teams win titles.

History is important

As you hear statistics on the American broadcasts, or see who yells louder on goal in the Spanish-language stations, keep this in mind: winning tournaments is what counts.

Per capita, Argentina and Uruguay are the greatest talent producers in the world. IMF may have an index on this, but take my word for it. It’s just that before 1978, Argentina’s best players found richer pastures and World Cups with other teams. For example, in 1934 and 1938, Italy’s winning duo of Guaita and Orsi were born in Argentina. and a man who some say was the best player ever, Real Madrid idol Alfredo di Stefano, never played in a World Cup (injury), but represented Argentina, Colombia and Spain.

Brazilians can be a little lax, work off the “mais grande do mundo” mentality. Meaning: we’re the best and most talented, whether we show it on a given day.”

The Italians always beat or give the Germans and Brazilians a hard time. Beat Germany in 1978, 1982 (the Final) and 2006.

Argentina has Italy’s number (except for 1974, when they lost in the first round to Roberto Bettega’s goal. But they won the tournament, changing the sport’s history). With the phrase “La Seleccion es prioridad numero uno” coach Menotti changed the course of soccer history.

If you get off Facebook and read about the history of a nation and its sports. Brazilian mixed martial artists marvel how Americans – no matter what their talent level – want to win.

Former US national team player Mike Sorber had it right. I visited him when he was living at Bora Milutinovic’s house. Over dinner, we talked about the future of US-Mexican relations

Mexicans celebrate their martyrs and commemorate their defeats, in the same way Little Big Horn and Waterloo are cultural watersheds. “They have lost every war they fought against us. So if things get tough, we will beat them in mentality.” Sorber was the assistant coach under previous honcho Bob Bradley, so he witnessed the rise of the United States to the top of Concacaf and the subsequent return of Mexico to the top level.

Americans (let’s call it United Statians in order not to disenfranchise the others who live from Alaska to Patagonia) are usually ignorant of history. So in soccer, kids who didn’t hear about “El Maracanazo,” “Garrincha” or other failures and injustices in the sport don’t really feel the weight of the opposing jersey. In that sense, the “Statesians” may be soccer martians, but it means they have a chance.

Mexico beat Brazil in the final of the Olympics, an under-23 tournament. But it may be a stepping stone to real glory.

Coach Miguel Herrera may be the man. As opposed to Lavolpe, who took his son-in-law to Germany 2006 as player number 23, or Miguel Mejia “Maybe I sound crazy, but I want to win the tournament.”