USA’s Soccer Legends Beat Rival Mexico in Legends Game

USA Defeats Mexico in Legends Game at The Home Depot Center

“It was awesome to be back on the field with such an elite group of players. I was so honored to play in a game like this and have so many people come out to watch.” – Paul Caligiuri, USMNT 1984-1997

“I would love to have this Legends Game be an annual event. I definitely want to do this again.” – Roy Lassiter, USMNT 1992-2000

“It was amazing to go out and play with 12,000 people watching on a great field.” – Thomas Dooley, USMNT 1992-1999

In a game that brought to mind the long-standing rivalry between continental neighbors, a team of Legends from the USA took on a similar squad from Mexico in front of a packed crowd at The Home Depot Center on Sunday, April 15. The match was part of the larger MLS Copa Bud Light 6v6 competition and celebration that included a concert by popular norteño group Dareyes de La Sierra.

With a team that included such former U.S. Men’s National Team members as Paul Caligiuri, Eric Wynalda, Thomas Dooley and Roy Lassiter, the Americans were more than ready to take on their challengers from the south.

Fronting the Mexico Legends were Jorge Campos, Mariano Trujillo and Eduardo Missael Espinoza, among others. While time may have added a few gray hairs, it had not diminished the fire with which the two sides played.The first half of the 70-minute match went scoreless as the two teams battled for advantage. Mexico had several strong chances, but were turned away by the goaltending of USA Legend Ian Feuer.

Finally, in the 50^th minute, Lassiter, who scored four goals in his time with the National Team, took a feed from John O’Brien and fired past the Mexico goaltender, Jorge Campos, for a 1-0 USA lead.Eleven minutes later Wynalda sent a pass in to 30-goal National Team scorer Brian McBride who was just outside the 18-yard box. McBride beat Campos for the final 2-0 score.

After the match Paul Caligiuri, who is currently heading a new one-on-one youth soccer competition called the “Ultimate Soccer Player,” simply smiled and said, “Dos a cero.” He added, “It was awesome to be back on the field with such an elite group of players. I was so honored to play in a game like this and have so many people come out to watch.”

“It was great fun to play,” said Thomas Dooley, who is partnering with Caligiuri on the Ultimate Soccer Player tournament. “The level of competition was great and very similar to when we played Mexico before. Everyone is a bit slower, perhaps, than before, but the competition is still on between the USA and Mexico! Mexico had so many chances to score but we had a great goalkeeper and look, we won the game. It was just fun to go out and play with 12,000 people watching on a great field.”

“It felt good to be on the field,” Lassiter said afterwards, “especially being back with former teammates and good friends. It was a fantastic environment and a really good game. It felt great to score that first goal and help my team win. It is wonderful to bring this rivalry to the fans. The USA really wanted to win the game.”

“The stadium was filled with a lot of fans for Mexico,” Lassiter continued, “but that is not unusual. I have played against Mexico five times, three in Mexico, and there are usually more fans supporting Mexico than the USA. It has always been like that. We need to get our USA fans out to the games more, especially our youth soccer players who can learn so much from watching professional soccer.”

Asked what he thought would help get more U.S. fans out, Lassiter said, “We need more promotion from the youth soccer clubs in Southern California.”

“Youth soccer players need to see professional soccer games; watching pro soccer live creates a real passion for the sport. As a director at Albion Soccer Club, I encouraged a lot of players to come out to the game last night. I think it is great for the players to see their coaches on the field. It helps create a higher sense of respect.”

“It was the most fun I have had in a long time,” Wynalda said later. “Of course if we would have lost, I would have a complete different response. We were rivals but we are all friends in the game of football.”

It’s always a nice occasion to work with these guys,” said USA head coach Curt Onalfo. “You look at the players who were in the game – they have had remarkable careers and done so much for the game in the US. Working with these pros was an unbelievable experience.”

“You want to be sure to win and our guys did everything to make that happen. We got better as the game went on and ended up winning 2-0,” said Onalfo.

While the two teams played hard, the friendships that have developed over the years were just as strong, and the two teams met and exchanged hugs and back-slaps after the final whistle.

The Legends Game was a testimony to the ability of soccer to bring out the best in people, both the competition and the camaraderie.

On working with the former USMNT players, Onalfo said, “It was neat to see how everybody interacted and how quickly they came together in training. It was interesting to see the dynamics, with all the different ages and strong personalities. I think the guys and the fans enjoyed it and would enjoy playing regularly. I know the old rivalry between the U.S. and Mexico will go on.”

Afterwards, many of the players commented how much they hoped this could become an annual event, and several talked about how the game had inspired them to get back into playing shape.

“Personally, it felt great to be back on the field,” said Dooley. I haven’t played for so long, I get tired quickly now a days. I haven’t had the time to stay in shape, but now after this game I am determined to change this.”

The Legends Game will be remembered as special by both players and fans of the beautiful game. Before the match Wynalda’s son had the chance to shoot against Campos, a life-long memory for both father and son. “After the game My son pointed to Campos and said to me, ‘I love that guy,’” said the elder Wynalda, “and I said, ‘me too.’

“While the two teams played hard, the friendships that have developed over the years were just as strong, and the two teams met and exchanged hugs and back-slaps after the final whistle. It was a testimony to the ability of soccer to bring out the best in people, both the competition and the camaraderie.

Afterwards, many of the players commented how much they hoped this could become an annual event, and several talked about how the game had inspired them to get back into playing shape. “Personally, it felt great to be back on the field,” said Dooley. I haven’t played for so long, I get tired quickly now a days. I haven’t had the time to stay in shape, but now after this game I am determined to change this.”

The Legends Game will be remembered as special by both players and fans of the beautiful game.

Before the match Wynalda’s son had the chance to shoot against Campos, a life-long memory for both father and son. “After the game My son pointed to Campos and said to me, ‘I love that guy,’” said the elder Wynalda, “and I said, ‘me too.’”

Legends Game Teams

All photo credit: Carey Schumacher for SoccerNation.