Doug McIntyre
Soccer Journalist
For the primary time in eight tries, Mexico lastly bought the higher of the U.S. males’s nationwide crew, beating its largest rival 2-0 in Tuesday’s pleasant match in Guadalajara.
Raúl Jiménez’s sensational first half free kick was the distinction between the squads, which met for the second and ultimate time this 12 months in a uncommon exhibition match south of the border. Cesar Huerta doubled El Tri’s benefit early within the second half, and the hosts by no means regarded again towards an American aspect lacking star ahead Christian Pulisic and several other different starters.
El Tri’s conquer the USMNT was the primary since 2019, the longest winless streak within the collection’ 87-year historical past. The loss was the primary for brand new U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino in his second recreation on the helm. It got here three days after the Argentine coach gained his debut over Panama in Austin, Texas.
Listed here are a number of fast takeaways from Tuesday’s contest.
Play of the sport
The U.S. again line knew Jiménez intimately; the veteran goal striker performs with Antonee “Jedi” Robinson at Premier League Fulham. American captain Tim Ream was a teammate of each there final 12 months.
However Ream and Robinson have been powerless to cease the 33-year-old’s curling screamer, which got here after what U.S. gamers contended was a gentle foul by Aidan Morris on Mexican winger Roberto Alvarado. Both means, there was no arguing with the standard of Jiménez’s 30-yard effort that beat Matt Turner clear and settled into the highest nook of the U.S. keeper’s internet.
Turning level
Even with virtually a complete half of the match nonetheless to play, Huerta’s strike successfully killed the sport off then and there:
Reality be informed although, the percentages have been at all times stacked towards the People on this one. Their historic unbeaten streak was by no means going to final perpetually, least of all in Mexico, the place the U.S. now has an all-time document of 1W-24L-4T.
And it was at all times unlikely to proceed with greater than half of Pochettino’s strongest potential lineup lacking due to accidents or, within the case of Pulisic, load administration. Along with Pulisic, the People have been additionally with out Tyler Adams, Folarin Balogun, Sergiño Dest, Gio Reyna, Weston McKennie, Mark McKenzie (who was injured within the warmup and changed by Miles Robinson) Chris Richards and Tim Weah.
Key stat
Mexico dominated from begin to end. However essentially the most damning stat for the USMNT wasn’t that they gave up 15 pictures to El Tri, or that the hosts had extra of the ball regardless of main for 68 of the 90 minutes.
No, the most important sin was managing precisely zero pictures on El Tri‘s purpose till U.S. striker Brandon Vazquez pressured a fantastic save from dwelling keeper Luis Malagón within the 79th minute.
What’s subsequent for Mexico?
On Nov. 14 and 18 El Tri will play an opponent to be decided — in all probability Honduras, although it’ll come right down to the following Concacaf rating — within the two-leg, home-and-home Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals.
What’s subsequent for america?
The People may also be on Nations League responsibility subsequent month — the primary aggressive video games below Pochettino — as they start their quest for a fourth consecutive title. Because it stands as we speak, Jamaica is their likeliest foe.
Doug McIntyre is a soccer reporter for FOX Sports activities. A former employees author with ESPN and Yahoo Sports activities, he has lined U.S. males’s and ladies’s nationwide groups at FIFA World Cups on 5 continents. Observe him @ByDougMcIntyre.
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