USA Men’s National Team falls 0-2 to Mexico in October Friendly Match

The USMNT does not have a great record playing against Mexico in Mexico. For all of the team’s success against El Tri, the greatest achievements it can claim in significant matches south of the border are draws. That trend continued on Tuesday night as the USA traveled to Akron – not Ohio – Stadium in Guadalajara – not Ohio – and fell 2-0 to Mexico.

Mauricio Pochettino lined up a decidedly second choice XI as several players were sent home early or otherwise ruled out.

El Tri set up with a strong lineup and celebrated the end of the national team career of Andres Guardado.

The USA more or less held its own for the first 20 minutes of the match. A foul set up a free kick that was taken by Raul Jimenez. The striker sent a perfect shot into the upper 90, it was the kind of shot that Matt Turner couldn’t do much to stop. In terms of goals to give up, this isn’t the worst but defensive discipline is needed to not allow these kinds of opportunities in the first place.

The Americans went into the half down a goal and in order to make up ground went to the bench bringing on Alejandro Zendejas for Yunis Musah and Kristoffer Hansen for Antonee Robinson. Sadly, it would be Mexico who would strike next with an assist from Jiminez setting up a goal for Cesar Huerta in the 49th minute.

There would be more subs. The USA would work hard but the game was out of reach and El Tri pretty well outplayed the Americans. Chances were particularly hard to come by as the home side had the advantage by a count of 17-5 shots with just one on target for the Stars and Stripes and five on frame for Mexico.

As is necessary to point out, it was a friendly and one with a really limited roster. That said, only two changes were made from the starting XI that took on Panama. The team will not always be able to rely on Christian Pulisic to do everything and his absence was very noticeable on the night and the result certainly ended the friendly window on a sour note.