MEXICO CITY — If this really was the final World Cup qualifier between the U.S. and Mexico at the famed and fearsome Estadio Azteca, then the arena that had been a confidence-draining American graveyard for so many decades went out with a forlorn whimper.
The altitude remained the same: 7,200 feet. Just about everything else felt and sounded different than the mythic details from stories told by those who built the region’s most passionate rivalry. The crowd, limited to fewer than 50,000 by security and ID protocols enacted because of past homophobic chanting, seemed passive or resigned. The nearly vertical upper deck was mostly empty.
Mexico has been far from convincing during Concacaf’s World Cup qualifying competition and entered Thursday’s showdown having lost a record three straight to the young American men. El Tri coach Gerardo Martino was booed during pregame introductions. The organized Mexican supporters groups that usually add so much ferocity and color to proceedings were subdued or absent. And on a few occasions, the PA announcer resorted to yelling “México! México!” over the Azteca loudspeaker hoping to generate some atmosphere. At times, the 1,000-or-so U.S. fans behind the south goal were the loudest in the stadium.
