USA 0-3 Mexico: 5 Takeaways from the match | International Friendlies

Nnanna
USA lose heavily to Mexico
USA lose heavily to Mexico

Two months ago, Mexico beat USA in the Gold Cup final to clinch the trophy. While this was merely a friendly, their intense rivalry reared its head once more, as El Tri trounced the Yanks with a scoreline of 3-0.

The game certainly took a little while to get rather exciting. However, when it did, nerves were rattled and the players on both sides became quite reactive.

To the neutrals, and certainly to Mexicans who had trooped to the MetLife Stadium, it was a match to remember. The Americans, however, will want to easily forget their poor performance.

The match started with Mexico pushing for an opportunity. Within mere minutes, they started attacking down the left-wing constantly, forcing the USMNT into defensive mode. After having to thwart several dangerous opportunities in their box, the Americans pushed on the offensive.

Having kept the Mexicans from even getting a single shot towards goal, the US did not disappoint. They got two long-range shots, but Mexico goalkeeper Jonathan Orozco maintained a solid stance in front of goal.

It was El Tri, in the 21st minute, that opened the scoring of the evening with an accurate header from Javier Hernandez. Having had no luck on previous attack opportunities, they fared much better on this run. Tecatito nutmegged Sergino Dest, saw his target in the box, and delivered a perfect cross to an unmarked Chicharito, who made it 1-0.

A grave mistake made by USA's Weston McKennie did not yield anything for the Mexicans. An over-hit shot by Tecatito, who was open and in great position, only sent the ball out of the pitch. However, the 26-year-old's failure to convert a sublime chance was soon forgotten.

By the end of the first half, the game had become physical, and the second half started with tactics thrown out of the window. Their respective coaches had riled both sides up, and they were itching to get at each other during the game. Hector Herrera and Alfredo Morales got into a small spat that ended up with players pushing each other.

Once again, with Tecatito on the ball, Mexico almost added a second goal in the 59th minute. The Porto man was part of a fluid counter-attack that left him with the ball in yet another great position to score from. However, it was yet another head-in-hands moment as he struck it wide.

The goal that had long eluded the Mexicans finally came through super-sub Erick Gutierrez, who had only come on a minute earlier. It was yet another silly mistake by the US, and this time, the Mexicans did not let the opportunity slide. US goalkeeper Zack Steffen attempted to play the ball out of the box, but he had no chance. A carefree ball landed in Gutierrez's path, and his left-footed shot sent it into goal.

The US nearly got gifted a good goal, thanks to Alfredo Morales, but unluckily for him, his chance only hit the bar. Uriel Antuna, on the other end, brought Mexico their third goal. A fast counter ended up with Antuna's low shot past Steffen into the bottom right corner.

The Yanks were unable to get even a consolation goal from a penalty kick from the spot. Thanks to a foul by Reyes, US had the opportunity to pull one back. However, Mexican keeper Orozco dove right to stop Sargent's consolation goal.

We take a look at five takeaways from the game.


#5 Yet another win for Mexico against a struggling USA

The US was unable to even find a single goal in this game, and it will be the first time in at least six games against Mexico.

With this win, Mexico has beaten USA in three out of their last six matches. The US, on the other hand, has managed to win only two games. Before today's game, both teams had scored a total of seven goals in six games. However, Mexico has added three more to their tally, and it might take more than one match for the US to come back.

Strong performances from players like Chicharito was enough to cement a lead and maintain it. It will be interesting to see how the Americans sort out their mess, especially the major lapses of concentration.

#4 USA has to sort out glaring defensive problems

The US have defensive worries to deal with.
The US have defensive worries to deal with.

While it is usual for most teams to concede goals due to mistakes, it shouldn't become the norm, especially for a team as powerful as the USA. This USMNT side were the direct cause of one goal, and they made similar mistakes that almost led to another.

The Yanks allowed the high pressure from the Mexicans disorient their play, and poorly played back-passes became more frequent. Aside those serious mistakes, the US team also need to work on marking and effectively keeping their end of the pitch goal-free.

An unmarked Chicarito scored the first goal. Hirving Lozano, when he was brought on, had a surprisingly easy chance to get a goal. If Tecatito had converted his chances, the scoreline might be a lot worse than it already is. America needs an overhaul in defence.


#3 Mexico is becoming a superpower in football

There was very little the Mexicans did wrong in their last game against the US. They have, without fail, won their last seven games, and they are beginning to look unstoppable. Arguably, they do have a match against powerhouse Argentina, but the Mexicans cannot be seen as underdogs anymore.

Their crossing is efficient, passes are purposeful, and their ability to maintain high pressure has improved. Against their next opponents Argentina, a strong performance could increase their winning streak to eight.

Notably, however, the USA did have some clear chances that Argentina would likely have converted into goals. El Tri will need to be wary about their defensive side if they hope to see yet another good result like this in the coming days.

#2 Mexico were more clinical in front of goal than the USA

USA lost to Mexico
USA lost to Mexico

USA might have taken home 57% possession, but that did not change the most important aspect of the match: the scoreline. Mexico's 43% was all they needed to achieve a three-goal win against the Yanks, and much of that is due to their clinical ability in front of goal.

The Mexicans did waste several shots. They sent six shots off target, four more than their opponents, but the ones they got on target were pinpoint perfect. From Chicarito's header to Antuna's low placing, 75% of shots that were on target were scored.

While much of that was due to America's poor defensive concentration and positioning, credit should be given to the Mexicans.

By the 25th minute, El Tri had only one shot at goal, but they also had one goal. The USMNT had two shots on goal, with both on target, but nothing to read on the scoreline.


#1 A newer American side vs. a stronger Mexican side

US Coach Gregg Berhalter has brought an influx of new players since he started his job in the employ of the Men's National Team.

Young players like Steffan, Christian Pulisic, Josh Sargent, and Sergino Dest have come on board this team and might be able to do wonders within a couple of years. Their performance may have been poor today, but they remain wonderkids.

At the Gold Cup, Jonathan Dos Santos gave Mexico the lead, which they maintained till the end of the game. However, they were missing key players in that squad, due to injury or simply being left out.

This time around, however, Mexico coach Tata Martino's squad is star-studded, with the likes of Hirving Lozano, Chicharito, Hector Herrera, and Tecatito now part of his squad. With a result like today's, Mexicans will be hoping Martino maintains this strong squad.

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Edited by Alan John