Fans of both the US and Mexico came out en masse tonight to support their respective teams in the fourth annual international friendly soccer match between Mexico’s National U-20 team and the Indiana Hoosiers squad.
Both crowds were present and pumped up as match time drew close, and the sounds of the pep band, air horns, noisemakers, and cheers filled the air of Bill Armstrong Stadium. Excited fans could barely wait for another great match between two beloved teams.
Noschang (9) and the Indiana offense had little luck against Mexico's Baez (1)
The Hoosiers were up against a whole different kind of challenge in the Mexico National U-20 team, a collection of some of the most talented soccer stars in a soccer-crazed country. “We knew it was going to be a technical, very good opponent, said IU Coach
Mike Freitag. “We’ve learned that there are a lot of nuances on the international level. These guys are pros, they know how to play, and they have a little savvy to them.”
The Hoosiers didn’t initially look like they were up to the challenge. Indiana’s players were always a step behind the skilled Mexican team as play began, and quickly gave up a goal to Moises Herrera less than 12 minutes into game.
The Hoosiers fought back quickly after the goal, creating several great scoring chances, but the Hoosier offense failed to seal the deal against a swarming Mexico defense that showed little weakness for most of the game.
“I did not think we played well the first 35 minutes, but I think the last 10 minutes of the first half and the whole second half [we played better]…I told my guys to try to remember that feeling of how you played, how you got after it and made things happen. That’s what you have to do for 90 minutes,” said Freitag.
Kevin Noschang and
Eric Alexander each had three shots for Indiana, but none of them came on goal. Indiana fans could only watch as several golden opportunities sailed wide of the goal.
“Unfortunately I couldn’t get one to go tonight,” Noschang said after the game. “I think we had the better of the chances in both the first and second half, but they were very clinical, and they finished theirs and we didn’t. The score reflects that.” The Hoosiers only ended up with four shots on goal, two of which came from
Billy Weaver.
"We got better today. You get better playing playing against good opponents...that’s why we love playing this game.”
Weaver had the Hoosiers’ best chance to tie the score when he was fouled in the box and was awarded a penalty kick (one of many calls that went the Hoosiers’ way). He drilled the shot but Mexico goalkeeper Miguel Baez solidified his shutout with a spectacular save. “I ate well last night [at El Norteño Restaurant in Bloomington],” Baez joked after the game. “That’s what helped me make the save.”
During the second half of the game, the Hoosiers’ defense tightened up and IU goalkeeper
Chay Cain made several key saves (he finished with five), but Mexico finally managed to seal the deal in the final seven minutes of stoppage time when Jesus Manzo put the ball in the back of the net for the second Mexico goal.
A hard first half foul sparked some extracurricular activity
Play continued on for a couple of minutes but play was finally called as the Hoosiers’ frustration began to show on the field. There were several incidents during the game in which physical play and verbal jabbing turned into some pushing and shoving, but the chippy behavior never got out of control.
“There’s a communication barrier out there. I was saying stuff, and I wasn’t understanding what they were saying back. That’s just because it gets physical, you’ll see that at every level,” said Noschang.
Freitag concurred with his forward. “I don’t think there was anything malicious out there. I think it was two teams playing hard and trying find ways to get in heads,” he said.
Regardless of the final score, Freitag was still happy with the game as a whole. “I was very proud of the chances we created today…I was happy with the way we went about our work. We got better today. You get better playing playing against good opponents, and that’s why we love playing this game.”
Since the international friendly game was introduced three years ago, Indiana is 1-3 in the competition. The match once again received glowing reviews, and it appears that this is one tradition that won’t be going anywhere for years to come. “I hope [IU] keeps up the good work,” said Herrera after the game. “So we can come back and have more great matches.”
Read up on why this was
more than just an exhibition game, then
discuss the match in the soccer forums.
Linear Mode
