GUADALAJARA, Mexico — In a pivotal clash on Tuesday, Mexico’s national team, led by manager Javier Aguirre, secured a 2-0 victory over the United States men’s national team, marking the first win for El Tri against their northern rivals in five years. This triumph ended Mexico’s seven-match winless streak against the U.S.
The U.S. team faced significant challenges, playing without key players like Weston McKennie and Christian Pulisic, who had to return home early. The hostile atmosphere at Estadio Akron added to their difficulties, and Mexico capitalized on this pressure. Raúl Jiménez opened the scoring in the 22nd minute with a stunning free kick, putting the home side ahead.
The U.S. attempted to regroup with substitutions at halftime, but things only worsened. César Huerta scored the second goal just four minutes into the second half, assisted by Jiménez, sending the crowd into a frenzy. The U.S. struggled to provide meaningful responses, managing their first shot on target only in the 64th minute.
Both coaches recently began their tenures with their respective teams, and this result was a positive for Aguirre, who boasts a record of 2 wins, 2 draws, and no losses in his third stint. Pochettino, on the other hand, now holds a record of one win and one loss with the U.S.
In light of injuries to several star players including Tyler Adams and Giovanni Reyna, the U.S. squad was not at its strongest. Even so, expectations were that they would perform better, especially against their fierce rivals. Throughout the match, Mexico dominated and pressed for more goals, while the U.S. struggled to maintain possession.
Raúl Jiménez’s performance was particularly noteworthy, showcasing his skill and leadership. He scored for the first time in over a year with the national team and was instrumental in both goals, eliciting praise from Aguirre as a “leader” for the team.
The term “Dos a Cero,” which refers to the U.S. team’s past victories of the same score against Mexico, was a point of reflection for Aguirre, who described one of those losses in 2002 as one of the lowest moments of his career. On Tuesday, the script flipped as Mexico finally claimed their first victory with this scoreline since 1997.
In a poignant moment, veteran midfielder Andrés Guardado bid farewell to his international career in his hometown, substituting out in the 18th minute, a tribute to his jersey number. Guardado has been a symbol of Mexican football for years, and his departure was fittingly marked by a victory.
The match also saw Mexican fans warmly welcome back their team to Guadalajara for the first time in over a decade, creating an electric atmosphere at the Estadio Akron. As excitement grew, Jiménez’s goal ignited the crowd, refuting fears that fan support had waned.
In contrast, the U.S. faced a mixed reaction, with boos for certain players, highlighting the strong allegiance of fans when it comes to local clubs. While the match sparked some tension among the players, particularly in a scuffle involving Alejandro Zendejas, the crowd’s subdued atmosphere did not detract from Mexico’s significant win.
Luis Ángel Malagón started in goal for Mexico, making a significant impression in Ochoa’s absence. Aguirre’s decision to trust Malagón may have significant implications for future lineups, especially with upcoming matches against Honduras in the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals.
As Pochettino continues to integrate his tactical vision for the U.S. team, the match served as a learning experience. Though the team played with a clear strategy, they struggled to penetrate Mexico’s defense. Moving forward, Pochettino will need to refine his approach and assess how to fully utilize his roster amidst the ongoing injury challenges.