Mexico getting eliminated at the group stage of Olympic qualifying is no secret. As soon as their game ended 5-1 against Haiti, sites  around the world, specifically  those here in the States started posting reactions immediately. For many American soccer fans there could not have been a sweeter outcome, especially after what happened when the Mexicans knocked out the Americans in the semi finals of the last Olympic qualifying campaign. I’m not going to rehash the past, but let’s just say that those chants of Osama have not been forgotten by any American soccer fan.

To say that we have a soccer rivalry with Mexico is an understatement. But this pails in comparison to some long standing issues between Mexico and Guatemala, both sporting and otherwise. Some people say that Mexico is to Guatemala what the United States is to Mexico. Without getting too political or going into depth about cultural histories and tensions, let’s just say that Guatemala was clearly aware of the situation at hand when they went in to their final game with Canada. Do you think the Guatemalans weren’t thinking about two years ago when Guatemala needed Mexico to get a draw with Trinidad and Tobago to have a shot at the playoffs for a World Cup berth? Anyone remember the outcome of that Mexico v Trinidad game? You guessed it, Mexico fielded a very weak squad and ended up losing to Trinidad thus eliminating any chance for Guatemala. I would imagine this story was passed around the Guatemalan camp once or twice leading up to their final game.

It’s not my job to say what exactly happened in the Guatemala v Canada game because I don’t know. Besides, I am happy with the outcome that is a by product of the results.  I for one have still not forgotten those chants from four years ago.