[Sport] When Mexico and the US met for the first time thanks to Benito Mussolini

[Inkriql]

 

The soccer rivalry between Mexico and the United States has had a greater echo in recent years. Although the geographical proximity and the history between the nations formed the favorable breeding ground for the birth of the conflict, the first time the faces were seen they were summoned by a dictator with residence beyond the Atlantic Ocean. In May 1934, Benito Mussolini called the two teams to play a match in Rome and define the last guest to the World Cup in Italy 34.

Unlike the 1930 World Cup in Uruguay, a qualifying round per confederation became a requirement for the tournament in the European country. To do this, Mexico had to overcome the Cuban National Team, which eliminated Haiti, in a series of three matches played at the Parque del Seguro Social, in the Mexican capital. By beating the Caribbean on all occasions, they secured their ticket to Italy 34 but, at the last minute, the organizers reported that the US National Team had entered the tie.
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The National Stadium of the Fascist Party hosted the first meeting between Mexico and the United States (Photo: Twitter/@ApuntesdeRabona/Bettmann)
The National Stadium of the Fascist Party hosted the first meeting between Mexico and the United States (Photo: Twitter/@ApuntesdeRabona/Bettmann)

To ratify his stay in the World Cup, FIFA told El Tri to play a single match against the United States. The meeting became more relevant when it was announced that the winner would face the local team in the opening and first round of elimination, scheduled for May 27 at the National Stadium of the Fascist Party in Rome. For this reason, the dictator Benito Mussolini requested that the game be played at that venue to meet the rival of his national team.

The indication was accepted by the Mexican players, who on April 20 undertook a trip aboard the Orinoco ship to find out their destiny in European lands. The conditions were not the most propitious, as the fifteen days with uncomfortable bedrooms, poor nutrition and limited spaces to exercise on the deck took their toll on the physical and mental state of the players. By contrast, the Stars and Stripes underwent a two-month preparation.
The Americans took the first victory in history between the two national teams (Photo: Twitter/@ApuntesdeRabona/Bettmann)
The Americans took the first victory in history between the two national teams (Photo: Twitter/@ApuntesdeRabona/Bettmann)

On the eve of the match, Mexico experienced a couple of sensitive casualties. According to Juan Carlos Vargas, in his book "Fernando Marcos yesterday, today and always", Luis El Pirata de la Fuente and Fernando Marcos went for a walk through the streets of Rome and ran into a demonstration. They decided to join the contingent of the Black Shirts, but in the midst of the tumult they shouted "I care about mother Benito Mussolini!", for which they were arrested and missed the meeting.

Finally, on May 24, Mexico appeared at the sports venue. The stands of the stadium were filled with European fans eager to learn how two American teams played English sports. Among the attendees was the Duce who, due to his absence, delayed the start scheduled for 3:00 p.m. by 15 minutes. Thus, when the nearly 50 thousand people took their seats, the referee gave the initial whistle.
Fragment of the chronicle where the first match between Mexico and the United States in Italy was reported (Photo: Twitter/@Beto_Murrieta)
Fragment of the chronicle where the first match between Mexico and the United States in Italy was reported (Photo: Twitter/@Beto_Murrieta)

The chronicles of the time pointed out the physical superiority of the Americans over the Mexicans who, by the way, added to the inclement weather of the trip, did not come from a professional league. The star of the match was Aldo Donelli, also known as Búfalo due to his physical presence, who scored four goals against the two that brought Mexico closer on the scoreboard. This is how the country of stars and stripes won the first Clásico.

Mexico had to return after a long trip in which they could not play the World Cup. On the contrary, the Americans paraded through the lawn of the stadium in Rome, greeting the Duce with the characteristic fascist gesture while the dictator applauded them and an orchestra sang the anthem of the winning players.
Aldo Donelli scored all four goals for the United States against Mexico, as well as the only one against Italy in the first elimination round (Photo: Twitter/@JavierMinniti)
Aldo Donelli scored all four goals for the United States against Mexico, as well as the only one against Italy in the first elimination round (Photo: Twitter/@JavierMinniti)

Three days later representatives of the Stars and Stripes ran l

to the same fate as Mexico. They were the right tool for the Italian team to give their first overwhelming exhibition, as they thrashed the Concacaf team 7-1. It is worth mentioning that, at that time, Mussolini was looking for an expression in soccer to legitimize his regime and advance him before the world, so the tournament was full of fixes in favor of his selection.

Upon his return to the Americas, the Buff Donelli left soccer to join college football. In the new discipline he ventured as a player and coach of university teams, as well as the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1941 and the Cleveland Rams in 1944. For its part, Mexico headed towards the professionalization of its league in 1943 and returned to play a World Cup until Brazil. 1950. At the same time, the greatest rivalry in Concacaf was born.

 

 

https://www.infobae.com/america/deportes/2022/03/24/cuando-mexico-y-eeuu-se-enfrentaron-por-primera-vez-gracias-a-benito-mussolini/