Raul Jimenez scored a spectacular free kick and set up a Cesar Huerta goal as Mexico dominated an injury-depleted USMNT in a 2-0 win at Estadio Akron in Zapopon on Wednesday.
The friendly loss stops Mauricio Pochettino from a perfect first international break as USMNT boss, the Yanks having beaten Panama 2-0 in Austin, Texas on Saturday.
[ MORE: USMNT player ratings from loss in Mexico ]
Pochettino was without a host of big names due to injury and released five more including Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie after the Panama win. Ricardo Pepi, Zack Steffen, and Marlon Fossey also were returned to their clubs, while the long list of players who missed this squad includes Chris Richards, Giovanni Reyna, Folarin Balogun, Timothy Weah, Johnny Cardoso, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Luca de la Torre, and Tyler Adams.
It looked like it, as the Americans were out-attempted 17-5 and managed just one shot on target.
[ RECAP: USMNT 2-0 Panama: USA perfect in the Pochettino era | Player ratings ]
This was a very nice win for Javier Aguirre’s Mexico, who hadn’t beaten the USMNT since 2019 and were criticized for a 2-2 draw against club side Valencia earlier in the window. Jimenez was fantastic in the win, even getting off a rabona cross, and El Tri will be pleased with the 90 minutes which saw them control their fierce rivals.
[ MORE: Three things we learned from Pochettino’s USMNT debut vs Panama ]
Mexico vs USMNT live updates — By Nick Mendola
Mexico vs USMNT final score: 2-0
Raul Jimenez 22', Cesar Huerta 49'
Scrap breaks out
Alex Zendejas has been buzzing up and down the right and he’s played physically and on the edge.
He meets someone on Mexico who feels the same, and Jesus Angulo somehow avoids a red card for going head-to-head with Zendejas and making contact with the American’s face.
Aidan Morris and Edson Alvarez are among those who get involved in a mini-fracas, and Alvarez joins Zendejas in earning yellow cards.
Later, Auston Trusty enters the game for Aidan Morris.
More subs
Tanner Tessman, Brandon Vazquez, and Haji Wright enter for Malik Tillman, Josh Sargent, and Gianluca Busio.
Cesar Huerta goal! Mexico 2-0 USMNT (49th minute)
Tim Ream has to race back to deny club teammate Raul Jimenez’s a breakaway bid at a brace.
But Jimenez is really feeling it tonight, and he slide tackles the ball away from Ream and right to the bright Huerta for 2-0.
Jiménez to Huerta and Mexico double their lead 💥
— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 16, 2024
Watch Mexico vs. USA live on TNT and Max 📺 pic.twitter.com/PJT6ZH9ehO
Two subs
Antonee Robinson comes off in what was probably a pre-planned sub, though the Fulham man wasn’t near his best. Kristoffer Lund of Palermo takes his place.
Brenden Aaronson is off, too, after a rough 45 minutes. Juarez-born Alex Zendejas takes his place.
Halftime — Mexico 1-0 USMNT
Poor from the USMNT, and Mauricio Pochettino is seeing the limits of his side’s depth.
The midfield is getting cooked, and the flanks haven’t been too great, either.
Malik Tillman and Miles Robinson are probably your best performers of the frame.
Shots are 12-0 for Mexico, who have 58% possession.
Mexico in control
The Yanks have a problem to sort out and not a lot on the bench to flip the script.
Now Aidan Morris sees a yellow card for a off-kilter bid to take the ball off Cesar Huerta, who looks sharp.
Soon after: A rabona cross from Raul Jimenez, who is feeling it.
The Yanks have zero shot attempts through 40 minutes.
Raul Jimenez free kick goal! Mexico 1-0 USMNT (22nd minute)
An absolute hammer from the Fulham man.
Whipped up and over the leaping wall, and Matt Turner can only get the very tips of his fingers on a mesmerizing free kick.
Raúl Jiménez with a perfect free kick to give Mexico the 1-0 lead 🎯
— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 16, 2024
Watch Mexico vs. USA live on TNT and Max 📺 pic.twitter.com/rja5yJviIY
Andres Guardado subs out, ends international career
One of the very best CONMEBOL players of all-time, the 180-times capped Andres Guardado, No. 18, leaves the pitch fittingly in the 18th minute.
Luis Romo takes the place of a marvelous midfielder, Mexico’s best.
Alvarez pops over
joe Scally has his hands full with Orbelin Pineda, who gets off a cross to the back post.
It falls for Edson Alvarez, whose ambitious effort at a half-chance floats over the bar. Brenden Aaronson made the West Ham man uncomfortable.
Early corner for USMNT
Antonee Robinson drives the left side and wins a corner for the Yanks.
Malik Tillman takes the set piece and it’s punched clear by keeper Luis Malagon.
Underway at Estadio Akron!
Off we go in Zapopan, coincidentally the club home of USMNT forward Cade Cowell (who is not with the USMNT in Mexico).
It’s the final game for Andres Guardado, the 38-year-old El Tri legend. A monster of a player,
A hiccup in warm-ups, as Miles Robinson will have to take the place of Mark McKenzie.
Mexico lineup
Malagon, Angulo, Vasquez, Montes, Sanchez, Alvarez, Guardado, Pineda, Huerta, Alvarado, Jimenez
USMNT lineup
Turner, A. Robinson, Ream, McKenzie, Scally, Musah, Morris, Busio, Tillman, Aaronson, Sargent
How to watch USMNT vs Panama live, stream link and start time
Kickoff time: 10:30 pm ET Tuesday (October 15)
Venue: Estadio Akron in Jalisco, Guadalajara
How to watch: TNT, Max
USMNT team news, focus
The USMNT effectively played in a 3-4-3 formation against Panama, with Musah providing width on the right, Joe Scally playing a wider center back role behind him and Antonee Robinson given even more license to roam (if you can believe that) on the left. It worked against an overmatched Panama side, but would probably put the back-three of Scally, Tim Ream and Mark McKenzie under more pressure than they’re ready to face after two or three training sessions with the new boss. It’ll likely be a rigid 4-3-3 that gets numbers behind the ball out of possession and looks to build up slowly in attack.
Mexico team news, focus
Mexico played La Liga side Valencia to a 2-2 draw on Saturday, with Alexis Vega and Ozziel Herrera getting on the scoresheet. A number of first-teamers, including Edson Alvarez and Raul Jimenez, were rested for the first game this window, meaning they will likely be fully fit and back in the lineup on Tuesday. El Tri are without stalwarts Jesus Gallardo and Uriel Antuna this week.
Mexico vs USMNT prediction
This will not be a beautiful game of football — anything but, probably. The USMNT’s injury crisis is such that the uglier the game is, the better their chances of getting a positive result. Shoe, meet other foot. Mexico 0-0 USA.
