http://active.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/73252797.jpgSecond half goals from Jimmy Conrad and Landon Donovan gave the United States a 2-0 victory over Mexico last night in an international friendly match.
However, emotions flared late, with Mexico's Rafael Marquez and U.S. forward Eddie Johnson exchanging shoves. Mexican goalkeeper, Oswaldo Sanchez, attempted to slide tackle Landon Donovan after he scored his goal. After the final whistle blew, the Mexicans strode off the field without shaking the U.S. players' hands or exchanging jerseys, as is customary.
"The sportsmanship -- it would be nice if you guys reporters and the Mexican press talked about it, because it's really poor," Donovan said. "When we lose to them there, we shake their hands and say, 'Good job.' There's none of that reciprocally, and it's kind of disappointing."
The traditional value of sportsmanship is being challenged from
all sides: professional, college, high school, and even in youth sports. There are some who say sportsmanship is becoming a lost art and that unless we remind ourselves of the essentials of sportsmanship it will gradually fade as other values have done in our society.
In the midst of all this, it seems doubly important that we recommit ourselves to guiding our youth by reminding them what sportsmanship is all about. Help the effort by rewarding them for showing good sportsmanship and showing, by our example, that sportsmanship is still alive and valued in youth sports today.
(Photo provided by Getty Images, taken by Stephen Dunn)