IRVINE, Calif. (AP) Clint Dempsey has been immersed in the U.S. soccer rivalry with Mexico pretty much from the moment he understood what the international game means to both nations.
''I grew up in Texas, and I played with a lot of kids from Mexico that went to my high school, and we were always talking trash,'' Dempsey said. ''It's just that competitive rivalry, being so close in proximity to Mexico. It's just exciting to have big games like that and want to win so bad. I think both countries want to be able to flex their muscles, and want to be able to have bragging rights.