Take Five: El Tri's Thrashing of U.S. Provides Further Intrigue

Unraveled. Unglued. Unhitched. Un-everything.

That's what happened in East Rutherford, N.J. on Sunday.

And this time, it was the Mexicans who sat back and enjoyed in the reverie.

Sunday's 5-0 shellacking of the Americans at the hands of El Tri showcased a number of select things. For starters, the Mexicans have seemed to gain a hefty edge mentally on their much-hated rival, as they have been subject to colossal losses and letdowns over the past few years.

That all changed Sunday—albeit, the United States, fresh off an unexpected run to the Gold Cup Final, trotted out their "B-minus-to-C-plus squad," and had obviously overachieved.

Or maybe it was something else.

Mexico put on a clinic. After a legitimately even first half of play between the two sides, the second half was just pure anarchy. With the Americans' one genuine threat coming off the right-footed volley of Robbie Rogers early on in the second, El Tri would make sure that once the opportunity arose, the strike would be lethal and open the flood gates.

Boy, did it ever.

The highly-questionable penalty given to Mexico in the 54th minute allowed Gerardo Torrado to step to the spot and bury any chance the U.S. would have against their adversary.

The inexperienced and junior U.S. side fell apart at the seams—nothing less, nothing more.

Mexico's boss must have finally awoken at halftime, choosing to insert the 20-year-old mercurial winger Carlos Vela to run opposite of Giovanni Dos Santos.

It was uh-oh time for Sam's Army once Vela opened up the half blazing down the flanks. Therein lies the crux of the matter. This match was a sort of showcase of what the future of the bordered rivalry would look like.

The combo of Vela and Dos Santos vastly silenced those who cheered the likes of Stuart Holden and Robbie Rogers. There was no contest—no comparison.

Mexico stuck a five-spot on the scoreboard—in one half.

Vela and Dos Santos single-handedly unsnarled the formerly semi-concrete U.S. defense and the likes of Jay Heaps, Heath Pearce, Clarence Goodson, and Chad Marshall were left coughing in the dust, attempting to analyze just how quickly the Mexican youngsters put lime in the coconut and twisted it all up.

El Tri knotted three goals in a span of 12 minutes. Once Torrado's penalty flew in, Mexico looked world class (once again, albeit the U.S. squad) but nonetheless, it was a message.

The rivalry, theoretically one-sided for the past few years, is back.

U.S. coach Bob Bradley was once again a bit off in his coaching tactics, tossing out the likes of Jay Heaps in an attempt to corral Dos Santos. Think of it this way—an old, rusty vet can't quell a young, electric star.

Bruce Bowen couldn't stop LeBron James.

Bradley must've thought otherwise. To give the benefit of the doubt, Bradley has lost much of his original roster to club duties; still, it's the USA-Mexico. Sven-Goran Eriksson got the boot because he couldn't beat the Yanks.

This rivalry is what makes U.S. Soccer tick. It was the 58-straight unbeaten on United States soil; it's the fact that the Mexicans hadn't won in America in 10 years.

This is why the game is played, and with an embarrassing output like the one Bradley and the Americans tossed out Sunday, the temporary torch of momentum currently resides on the feet of Vela and Dos Santos.

Yes, the U.S. didn't have one starter, let alone the player that was at last month's magical Confederations Cup performance. El Tri was also missing a slew of important contributors and leaders. But when it comes to a rivalry of this magnitude, playing for your country, you lay it all out on the line.

The American youngsters lost their gas, and lost the wind in the sails once Vela came on to aid Dos Santos in running circles around the largely-unseasoned Yanks.

Most of these players will not see a lick of time with the "A-squad" aside from Brian Ching, who played as the grizzled vet. Stuart Holden, arguably the best player in a U.S. uniform during the tournament, should get his shot over the likes of Sacha Kjlestan and should push Benny Feilhaber and DaMarcus Beasley for potential minutes.

Now, does the U.S. dub this tournament a success? Sure, it was. The big-timers got their rest and the little guys got a taste of what will come in the future.

And don't think for a second that the likes of Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan, Oguchi Onyweu, and Jozy Altidore weren't watching this highway to hell match. The big boys have owned El Tri as of late and you can surely bet that come Aug. 12 in Azteca Stadium, the fireworks will be on full display and the memory of July 26, 2009 will be in full effect.

During the post-match reactions, Ching, obviously dog-tired and infuriated with the loss, had to bite his tongue a couple of times and rethink what he really wanted to say.

"It's a little disappointing in this last half of soccer, especially against Mexico," Ching grumbled. "But, you know what? In two weeks, it'll be a different ballgame."

You bet your ass it will be.

And one thing's for certain: This 5-0 drubbing will be a tipping point for arguably the most intense rivalry in international soccer. For either side.