The U.S. versus Mexico is quite the stage in the world of soccer. With over 2000 members of the police force ready and an earthquake not far away in the morning the battle was about to begin. The U.S. felt less pressure as Mexico came in with only two draws so far in CONCACAF Hex World Cup qualifying. Still, the stars and stripes were clear underdogs. Yet they would come out of the match with a point after a 0-0 draw with great defensive play when it was most needed.
Mexico starting lineup: Ochoa; Meza, Reyes, Moreno, Torres Nilo; Zavala, Salcido; Aquino, Dos Santos, Guardado; Hernández
USA starting lineup: Guzan; Cameron, Gonzalez, Besler, Beasley; Bradley, Edu; Zusi, Dempsey (c), Gomez; Altidore
Mar 26, 2013; Mexico City, Mexico; General view of Estadio Azteca before a World Cup qualifying match between the United States and Mexico. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Matt Besler would be tested in what some felt as a surprise start with Clarence Goodson not fit to play with a hamstring strain. Maurice Edu slips in for Jermaine Jones. The back four would be aided by Edu and Michael Bradley in covering Javier Chicharito Hernández and Gio Dos Santos. Bradley would also be called upon to control the offense. The intensity was high as the match kicked off. Mexico was wearing all black with the U.S. wearing all white to add to the spectacle.
Both teams came out with offense in mind and, for Mexico, Dos Santos was out wide in much of the first five minutes to show a sign of things to come. El Tri gained their first corner in the fifth minute and play was stopped twice by the referee before the kick with Chicharito and Edu shoving near Brad Guzan.
In the eighth minute DaMarcus Beasley would get caught high and Carlos Salcido would pick out a long pass to Javier Aquino. Beasley fouled Aquino just outside the box but the free kick sailed across the box. A few minutes later the linesman called for a penalty in the box, but was waved off by the referee. Chicharito was a bit upset by the non-call. Mexico was pushing the pace during the vital first 20 minutes. Besler would also pick up a yellow in this time.
The push down the left side by Mexico called for an early tactical change as Michael Bradley switched sides with Edu. The teams began trading set piece opportunities to no avail. Jesus Zavala did come free on one piece by Mexico but sent the header right to Guzan. Chicharito would get his head to the ball inside the six yard box at the 28th minute but send it over the bar. It was all El Tri at this point with Graham Zusi and Herculez Gomez not helping enough on the wings to contain the attack.
The best bit of play in the first half for the U.S. came in the 40th minute with combination passing between Bradley, Clint Dempsey, and Jozy Altidore. Jorge Torres Nilo back tracked to clear it out of the box. Although Mexico dominated most of the first half, the unrest was growing at Azteca. Bradley was the best player for the U.S. in the first half but Beasley and Edu needed to refocus. The match was scoreless at halftime.
The second half started off very similar to much of the first half with the exception of Altidore on the left and Herculez Gomez up top. Mexico was trying to win the ball back harder. They needed to score. Aquino kept attacking Beasley. Chicharito would make runs to the post after laying the ball off at every opportunity. Jurgen Klinsmann would try to change the tide as he subbed out Altidore in the 55th minute for Eddie Johnson.
Mar 26, 2013; Mexico City, Mexico; Mexico forward Chicarito (Javier Hernandez), left, and United States defender Matt Besler battle for the ball in a World Cup qualifying match at Estadio Azteca. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The U.S. would stay in the 4-4-2 they moved to after the half. However, the back four were still being tested. Besler and Omar Gonzalez were showing well into the 62nd minute. Gonzalez was making all the right decisions. He cleared another good cross that looked destined for Chicharito. Besler also deflected a point blank shot from Aquino. El Tri kept pounding the U.S. left side and Beasley was getting beat up. In the 72nd minute Mexico would send a long cross that was cut out by Graham Zusi after a 40 yard run.
With the match still scoreless Brad Davis would come on for Herculez Gomez with the last 15 minutes of regulation remaining. Soon after a controversial call would cost Mexico a potential penalty kick. It would go as a corner after Edu attacked Aquino from behind on a low cross. He was late and got nothing of the ball. It should have been a penalty, but instead the corner was easily cleared. The U.S. got a call in Mexico.
Klinsmann used his last sub on Brek Shea as he came on for Zusi in the 83rd minute. It was as if the coach was trying to steal the match late. However Mexico would have the best chances toward the end of the match. Chicharito would get a foot on the ball near the goal but somehow send it wide off a corner. Edu just quit running on the play leaving Hernandez unmarked. A Brad Davis foul and yellow card would give Mexico a couple more set pieces. Mexico continued to pressure and Guzan would have to make a diving save in the 93rd minute. Besler would clear one more header and the final whistle would blow.
In a match where no foreign players were used for the U.S. and Mexico had 14 corner kicks, the U.S. managed a point. It is only the second point in World Cup qualifiers for the USMNT away at Mexico. The U.S. was good in central defense and now sit in third place. Head over to our Hex page for a review of what’s ahead.