Mexican wave of disbelief ahead of US match

As Donald Trump’s election as US president continues to reverberate around the sporting world, United States soccer captain Michael Bradley admits the crucial World Cup qualifier against Mexico tomorrow night now carries added significance.

In the first game of CONCACAF’s round five qualifiers, the Americans take on their fiercest rivals in Columbus, Ohio, in a clash that now has a unique subplot. Trump’s vilifying of Mexico and its people in his election campaign was one of his main campaign themes. As was his notion of wanting to build a wall along the US-Mexico border.

And it is widely expected that the chant “build that wall!” will feature in the US fans’ repertoire in Ohio.

“I certainly think given the way everything has gone the last few months there is an added layer to this game,” Bradley told USA Today.

“I stayed up for a long time and watched (the election). The whole thing has been incredibly captivating. I was very interested by it all.”

“My general feeling is that we as Americans, we trust our system, we respect our democracy,” Bradley added.

“Regardless of your beliefs, regardless of how you voted, we have an obligation to come together and get behind our new president and to have faith and trust that he will do what’s best for the entire country.

“In moments like this it is easy to question things. But this is what makes our country great, that we have a system where every American can go and vote. The results may not be what every person wanted. Some are happy, others aren’t, but the way forward is to come together, give our president support, rally behind him. He will continue what I believe every president has done — make decisions for the good of the country.”

American sportspeople in attendance at the Web Summit in Portugal yesterday continued to express a nation’s shock at the outcome of the election.

Greg Jennings, who won a Super Bowl in his 10 years with the Green Bay Packers, said he was “appalled” by Donald Trump’s election as president, and only hoped the US could unify and progress.

“I stayed up. I tracked the election. It was interesting — very interesting.

“As an American this was one of the most — for me, personally — one of the most disheartening elections. We just seem so divided as a country... it’s my hope that all sides can come together and work together to progress where we are as a country, to unify us.”

Aghast as he was, Jennings admitted he wasn’t completely shocked by the outcome.

“I’m appalled. Don’t get me wrong, as an American we’re going to back and support and do whatever we can, because one man, or one woman, can’t change a country. It’s a collaborative effort of people that makes change happen.

“I’m not saying everything he stands for is unAmerican, but it poses questions for men and women of all backgrounds, ethnicities and demographics and gives you a sense of uncertainty.

“But it is what it is. I did my job as a voter. I feel our process is not the best, but there’s nothing I can do to change that. As I say, it is what it is.”

Another well-known former NFL star, Terrell Owens, formerly of the San Francisco 49ers as well as other sides, was more positive than Jennings. “Obviously, there are mixed feelings about the result, but I’ve been through so much, I expect the unexpected. In my career, I was dealt with a number of hands, so it’s all about how you react.

“I was asked yesterday about who might win or lose, but my feelings yesterday was that we had to unite around that person, whoever they might be, for the good of the country and for a better cause. Being such a close race, it shows how conflicted we are as a country — in where we are and where we should be.”

Owens said he hoped the new president’s advisers would be a help to him.

“Donald Trump is a smart man. He’s in a position of power but he’s going to necessarily need the people around him to help him pull off his job as president. That’s what all of them do.

“This is both like and unlike a business. There are many CEOs and founders and wealthy people here at this summit, but they wouldn’t be where they are if they didn’t have the people underneath them to help them on their way.

“The chatter here’s no different to what’s at home, but I know what’s going on thanks to texts and social media. I’m not disconnected, I know what the feeling is at home.”