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≡ MEXICO 2, USA 0 ≡
Tuesday’s friendly match between the U.S. and Mexico was a little odd from the beginning, with the teams playing at Guadalajara’s Estadio Akron, a FIFA World Cup 2026 venue, but only the second time Mexico had played there and the first since the venue opener in 2010.
And it was the first game played by Mexico in Mexico in 2024! Coming in with a 4-4-2 record (W-L-T) this year, all of its matches had been played in the U.S. The American men were playing their second game under Argentine coach Mauricio Pochettino, and without midfielder Christian Pulisic, who returned to his club team AC Milan, after a starring role in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Panama.
The first half saw Mexico mostly in control, with only occasional forays by the U.S. into the offensive zone. And Mexico got the lead in the 22nd minute on a brilliant strike on a free kick from striker Raul Jimenez. He sent a powerful, spinning kick from about 10 yards beyond the box that barely touched the outstretched hand of the U.S.’s 6-3 keeper Matt Turner and stayed under the crossbar for the 1-0 lead.
The game continued to be played in the U.S. end, with the Mexican midfield thoroughly frustrating the American offense. Mexico enjoyed 59% of possession in the half and outshot the U.S. by 12-0!
It didn’t get better. Jimenez was a problem again in the second half, and after his run at goal was cleared by U.S. defender Tim Ream, Jimenez circled back and sent a left-footed pass to oncoming forward Cesar Huerta, who booted it with the right foot into the lower left corner of the U.S. net for a 2-0 lead in the 49th.
Mexico led on shots by 15-0 at the hour mark, and the U.S. showed so little offense that Pochettino made three changes, and defender Kristoffer Lund finally got the first U.S. shot in the 64th, but missed a promising opportunity, hitting wide of the net from the left side.
Mexico committed 14 fouls in the game, and there was a scuffle in the 74th with U.S. substitute defender Alejandro Zendejas after a shoving incident with Mexican defender Jesus Angulo, and Zendejas and midfielder Edson Alvarez received yellow cards.
U.S. substitute forward Brandon Vazquez had a significant chance in the 79th, with a right-footed laser that was saved by Mexican keeper Luis Malagon, the U.S.’s first and only shot on goal.
Mexico finished with a 17-5 edge on shots, but the U.S. had enough possession in the second half to end with 53% for the game. But it didn’t matter.
The loss ended a long streak of success by the U.S. against Mexico, which was 5-0-2 in its last seven matches and hadn’t lost since a 2019 friendly in New Jersey. And in the all-time series in games played in Mexico, the American men fell to 1-24-4.
The game also marked the 182nd and final cap for Mexican midfielder Andres Guardado, who played the first 19 minutes as a send-off. He’s the most-capped Mexican player in history and got a loud ovation when he left the field in the first half.
The U.S. men will be in action again on 14 or 15 November on the road in a CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal, with the opponent yet to be determined.
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