🏆 Mexico, USMNT experience the whiplash that is the Octagonal
Every result is not the end of the world, even though it feels like it. + The Conca-catch-up!
Harsh critiques from fans. Headlines raising concern about the future of the national team. A team falling into second place in the Octagonal but in danger of falling far further with a bad result next time out.
Was it atmosphere in the United States after Sunday’s 1-0 loss to Panama or in Mexico after Thursday’s 1-1 draw with Canada? Yes!
Both Mexico and the U.S., who enter Wednesday’s matches as the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the current Octagonal standings, had results below their high standards in one of the first two matches of World Cup qualification, and the criticism was unsparing for the players and managers responsible.
Mexico already has bounced back from the stalemate, thrashing Honduras and, with that result, earning plaudits from many of the same corners that previously were heaping shame.
What’s behind this whiplash? Some of it is simply recentism, something extremely difficult to avoid if you’re tasked with writing about or talking about sports and have pages or segments to fill every day.
There’s more to it than just a need to fill time, though.