With J Hutcherson -- Yesterday, it was the latest chapter in Santo Quaranta's reclamation. Today, it's Mexico coach Javier Aguirre acting out in last night's Gold Cup game against Panama. In case you missed the live show and the multiple people getting an early start on telling you all about it, he impedes the progress of Panama's Ricardo Phillips.
Hey, we're all adults here and this isn't a comedy site. Coach of a National Team ends up with his foot making contact with a players' groin during the run of play. Yes, we're going directly to the quote sheet.
"My conduct was not justifiable," Aguirre said. "I tried to stop the ball after the ref signaled a throw in and when the Panamanian player continued to play the ball, I tried to stop it and I made inevitable contact with the player because of the inertia he had. I lifted my foot more than I should have. I am completely regretful for doing so. I shouldn't come out of my area."
Go ahead and feel free to make of that what you will, but the quick result was Phillips getting red-carded for shoving Aguirre in response. Since it was Aguirre who introduced playground rules to a Gold Cup game, he got tossed too.
It's slightly disappointing that Aguirre didn't simply man up here and just admit what happened. Instead, he opted for an easy excuse, even easier if he hadn't seen the replay showing exactly what happened. Sort of hard to work his angle otherwise.
Of course, more ridiculousness was to follow, including Panama's Blas Perez falling off the stretcher while getting pelted with cups. Yes, the wire picture does have the nearest security guard laughing at him. Like I said, we're all adults here... or something.
Meanwhile, Guadeloupe are our Group C leaders and they control their own fate against Mexico on Sunday. Considering their international tournament history only dates back to the last Gold Cup, maybe Guadeloupe can play up the revenge factor. After all, it was Mexico that knocked them out of the '07 semifinals.
All of CONCACAF should be wondering why they have such a hard time with a territorial team. Sure, a true Guadeloupe A team would basically challenge the best in the World, but those guys play for Les Blues.
Use whatever letter grade you like to describe how far removed Guadeloupe's squad is from first-choice France, but that's basically the issue here. A regional team made up of players who haven't appeared for France in at least five years and currently on an undefeated run in the Gold Cup.
It's close, but Guadeloupe sweeping a group that contains one of the region's perennial powers might actually end up being more embarrassing for Mexico than what happened last night in Houston.
Comments, questions, solutions to problems that have yet to present themselves. Please, tell me all about it.
