Bradley: Mexican wave of support too much

Beaten US coach Bob Bradley said the huge Mexican support was a key factor in Mexico’s 4-2 Gold Cup win on Saturday.

“Obviously it’s like a home game for Mexico, but we knew we would have to deal with that,” Bradley said.

The Rose Bowl in Pasadena was packed with more than 93,000 fans, the overwhelming majority of them pro-Mexican.

Mexico claimed their sixth Gold Cup title, coming back from 2-0 down to score the last four goals.

Pablo Barrera scored twice for Mexico, with Andres Guardado and Giovani Dos Santos also finding the net.

Bradley explained his decision not to pull back and continue to attack with a two-goal lead by saying, “You know if you do it well, you might even get a third goal before half-time.”

“The way Mexico plays, it’s a real challenge to your back four,” he said.

“Sometimes a final becomes a real test of going after each other, knowing it will require some good defensive reactions.”

“They’ve got a very good mix of attacking talent.”

“They come at you. They play quickly from the flanks. There’s a lot to deal with.”

Veteran US player Landon Donovan also paid tribute to the Mexican style of football.

“They’re as dynamic as any Mexican team I’ve played against,” Donovan said.

“They’ve got a few guys who can change the game in a heartbeat.”

“We just lost concentration on a couple of plays and they made us pay.”

Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez said Mexico’s determination won through.

“Things were difficult but the coach told us to fight every single play,” Hernandez said of head coach Jose Manuel de la Torre.

“Our attitude is in our hands.”

“Giovani and all the team really delivered.”

“Sometimes people say that I am the idol or the hero but in this team there really aren’t any heroes or rock stars, there are only 20 players who want to do their best,” he said.

De la Torre was delighted with the win, after five of his squad failed pre-competition doping tests.

“There is no better moment than victory – everything else is in the past,” he said.

“What happened helped us become stronger as a team, we had to focus and we faced up to the challenges.”

“It’s all about results but when you get a victory you have to enjoy it.”

“This was a complicated tournament for us but we are enjoying the moment now.”