Certainly the start was. These dream starts are starting to wear on me. Certainly I was not pleased with the lineup, but such is life.

Then boom. Landon to Charlie.

The past met the present and the future in one fell swoop and we had the unthinkable, a goal lead in the first fifteen at Azteca. Another dream, much like the final in Brazil. Unfortunately, the best possible start seemed to be the worst too, as the US retreated defensively and decided to try and weather the storm for 80 minutes instead of going for the kill, getting the second goal and all but locking up the trip to South Africa next summer. Instead they decided to park the bus and stop possessing the ball. Carlos doesn't step against the shot of Castro's life, and it's one to one. Then the US coughed up what would have been such a huge point with less than ten minutes to go.

So much pain. Enough pain that I spent the entire afternoon watching season one of Entourage and eating Flaming Hot Cheetos to cope. Saying that it still stings would be an understatement if there ever was one. However writing these takeaways will hopefully console my soul, and make Bob Bradley wake up to some ideas somehow.

-Brian Ching's international career is drawing to an end – I love Chingy. He is a stud, a workhorse, and a fighter. However he is no longer dangerous (if he ever was?) at the international level. I understand Bob wants a target forward. This was his game to shine. He did not hold, or really do anything. The Jozy Charlie combo has to be the choice selection now, at all times. Jozy out of form is not the end of the world. It allows Bob to let them work together for 60+ minutes, then shift Demps up top, and bring in Benny/Stu/Maurice to help in the mid. Ching is not getting it done. If he cannot compete with Mexico's relatively small backs, he will not stand a chance against Terrys/Mertasackers/Lucios of the world. It’s time to unleash Jozy. I think he will play a ton at Hull and this will no longer become an issue come September.

-Conservativeness with leads is a bad idea. Look, we now have the horses. In CONCACAF there should be no more conservative game plans. We can take it to ANYONE. It's time to start doing it. The US did it until they scored a goal, then got all passive/defensive, which is the only thing worse than passive/aggressive. It's frustrating when all the other US fans see this too. Really, really frustrating.

-At some point, in a major international match, the US will not get a questionable referee. Dear FIFA, what is the deal? It's hard enough to be the underdog, but when the referee is particularly inconsistent in favor of one team, it's impossible. I won't say the ref cost the US this game because poor defending did that, but if he was any more inconsistent with his requirements for cards (Nery Castillo grabbing another US guy's head anyone?) you might have sworn that it really was 14 on 11. There were multiple clear tackles from behind and studs up from different Mexican players that deserved a yellow, and Torrado going for Feilhaber's throat is certainly arguably red. The fact that Nery Castillo walked out with no cards is insane. The ref missed what looked to be a blatant foul while Donovan was dribbling then dispossessed right before Mexico's first goal. Certainly the defense has to step up, but it is ridiculous the double standard the US has faced this summer.

-Charlie Davies is the real deal. Stuart Holden looks to be as well. Davies caused so many problems and came so close to snatching what would have been a winner off of the Holden cross in the second half. The youth is rearing their head at the right time and I couldn't be happier. Anyone who can celebrate with the stanky leg or act like a bobble head is stellar in my book.

-Mexico fans and players are classless. Congrats Mexico fans, you can throw stuff out of the stands. For some reason, most Latin American supporters thinks pelting players with batteries and other objects is productive. This only accentuates many stereotypes, and while we understand it unsettles visiting teams, it sure doesn’t help your image. People I was watching the game with were so livid with the Mexican fans and the players for their shenanigans that I'm pretty sure race relations go back fifteen years every time the US plays in Mexico. It's too bad because for such a good rivalry it's getting a lot uglier lately. Really not impressed by the players as well, when Davies was down, three Mexican players tried to drag him up when he was clearly hurt, starting what could have been a massive brawl.  However moments later, two Mexican players spent multiple moments on the ground over minimal tackles, and there was no rush to get them up from their teammates. Strange. Castillo then tried to take the ball from Onyewu with hands to his face at one point, which is truly classless. Especially when it actually isn't your corner.

-The US defense isn't there yet. Ugh. Is it that hard to step? Really, Carlos Bocanegra and Landon Donovan have responsibility for a goal given up each after relatively lackluster moments in defense. Landon, you are the fastest guy on the field, your mark should not trot past you on a forty yard run and  play a garbage ball for the winner. Carlos, is it that hard to step to the ball and then get in front of it? Goal number one never occurs if Bocanegra steps responsibly. When Tim is beaten from that far out, it is your fault. Demerit also had a game to forget. It will be interesting to see what happens in SLC when Gooch is out on yellow card suspension. I predict either  Spector – Bocanegra – Demerit – Cherundolo or  Bocanegra – Demerit – Marshall – Spector. We will see though.

-So who was constantly offside?

Clint Dempsey was for his utter lack of impact. Sure he had a lack of service but, being the most dangerous offensive player the US Deuce needs to get into games and not just be anonymous all the time.

Landon Donovan and Carlos Bocanegra for their lack of defensive effort. From the two most experienced and really most responsible players for the team’s success, being the captain and the quasi captain, you have got to put in a better defensive effort. So painful. Get onside boys, maybe you will actually make a difference.

Fortunately, this isn't the end of the world. Simply put, it's not. It is soul crushing and raises more questions, but as long as the US shows up in Salt Lake City in early September and take care of business, they will be fine.

For me, it's back to Entourage and season two until I'm okay. Hopefully that will be before September.