Three thoughts after Mexico's 5-0 win over the United States in Sunday's CONCACAF Gold Cup final at a sold-out Giants Stadium:

• Is this what Mexico needs to break its mental block against the U.S.? Forget for a second that these were the B-teams of the U.S. and Mexico, or that the real main event is the U.S.-Mexico World Cup qualifier on Aug. 12, or that none of the U.S. players were part of last month's Confederations Cup success. This blowout victory may be just what Mexico needs to exorcise its mental demons against los Yanquis. Because let's be honest: Mexico's problems against the U.S. have been less physical than mental over the years, as I've documented before. When it comes down to it, the guys in green outscored the guys in white cinco a cero, and that could be a huge lift for Mexico as it tries to reverse a decade of misery against the U.S. and move up from fourth place in World Cup qualifying under new coach Javier Aguirre.

• The U.S. folded like a house of cards in the second half. It's not often that you'll see any U.S. team give up five goals in the second half, but the back line looked bewildered and rattled as soon as Carlos Vela came on after halftime for Mexico and changed the game. Dumb fouls, poorly executed offside traps, a penalty and sending-off for Jay Heaps: The U.S. defense looked worse than jayvee as Mexico triggered a historic onslaught on American soil. The U.S. players will have to learn from this debacle, especially promising youngsters like Stuart Holden (whose bad give-away led to Mexico's second goal), Robbie Rogers (who should have put away a 48th-minute chance that could have given the U.S. a 1-0 lead) and Chad Marshall (who was playing a solid game until the floodgates opened early in the second half).

• This game just upped the ante even more for Aug. 12. You'd have to think the 5-0 score line will motivate Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey & Co. even more for the huge World Cup qualifier between the U.S. and Mexico that takes place in Estadio Azteca just 17 days from Sunday. The U.S. first-teamers were no doubt watching the game on television and should take this goleada as an insult to U.S. Soccer. All I know is that I just got even more fired up for Aug. 12 than I was before, not least because the stakes have risen. If Mexico can beat the U.S.' first team, it will be another positive jolt in the revival of El Tri. But if the U.S. can win in the Azteca for the first time in history, this 5-0 jayvee loss won't matter much in the grand scheme of things. God, I love this rivalry.

Through-balls: In case anyone's wondering, Mexico totally deserved this victory ... Why on earth did Aguirre not start Vela instead of Alberto Medina? ... Please Fox Soccer Channel, it's time to get HD. I felt like I was watching blobs of finger-paint on my television ... I know Heaps got a tug on Gio dos Santos' jersey on the 56th-minute penalty that gave Mexico a 1-0 lead, but a no-call in that situation would have been more appropriate ... U.S. keeper Troy Perkins made some big saves before the goals started pouring in, but neither Perkins nor Luis Robles (who allowed two dicey goals against Haiti) are going to threaten Tim Howard or Brad Guzan for their spots on the team ... Gotta love polyglot FSC announcer Christopher Sullivan using the castellano accent on "Jonny Maga-ZHON" ... I still can't help but giggle when I see a Latina in a Chivas jersey that says BIMBO on the front.

See you in Mexico City, where I'll be on the scene for SI.com starting Aug. 10. Post your thoughts below...

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