Paul Aguilar of Mexico watches his game winning shot on goal as US goalkeeper Brad Guzan looks on during their 2015 CONCACAF Cup match at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California on October 10, 2015. The match is a playoff for the 2017 Confederations Cup. The United States lost to Mexico 3-2. AFP PHOTO / MARK RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)
Five memorable matches between Mexico and USA
Mexico and the USA face off in the 2019 Gold Cup final. Here, we take a look at some of the more memorable games in recent history.
As everyone anticipate, the USA and Mexico will face each other in Chicago, at Soldier Field, in the Gold Cup final. Both teams enter the final in a similar trajectory with neither truly convincing in the knock-out rounds.
There are plenty of storylines entering the match. Mexico want to demonstrate that they still are the measuring stick when it comes to CONCACAF. They are in the middle of a rebuilding process under new manager, Gerardo “Tata” Martino, who took over from Juan Carlos Osorio after the 2018 World Cup.
Martino got off to a strong start but Mexico’s performances throughout the Gold Cup have declined. He is without a lot of Mexico’s stars such as Carlos Vela, Javier Hernandez, and Hector Herrera, to name a few. The former Atlanta United manager is making do with he has at his disposal and despite suffering a few scares, has Mexico in the final in his first official tournament in charge.
On the other side, the USMNT are coming off a tumultuous World Cup cycle. A cycle under Jürgen Klinsmann and Bruce Arena that saw the US miss out on the World Cup held in Russia for the first time in a long time. They went a year with an interim manager before hiring Gregg Berhalter.
Berhalter’s start has been a bit more rocky; losing consecutive friendly games prior to the start of the Gold Cup. The possession-based, attacking style, that he promised to play when he was introduced has yet to be seen on the pitch.
This latest iteration of the rivalry has a lot to live up to. These two teams have met in previous Gold Cup finals and have had tough match-ups during the qualifiers. The quality of the games is up to one’s taste, but always something happens that leaves a mark on those who watch it.
Mexico a 3-2 win</a> and clinching a Confederations Cup birth.</p>
<div class="embed ">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Paul Aguilar sinks a dagger into the USA deep in extra time to give Mexico a 3-2 lead. <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2019/07/06/five-memorable-matches-mexico-usa/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/USAvMEX?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#USAvMEX</a> Watch: <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2019/07/06/five-memorable-matches-mexico-usa/"http://t.co/Wy13PvPpg6">http://t.co/Wy13PvPpg6
<p>— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2019/07/06/five-memorable-matches-mexico-usa/"https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/653059382209478656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>October 11, 2015</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://playingfor90.com/2019/07/06/five-memorable-matches-mexico-usa/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<p>It also ended a six-game unbeaten run for the US over Mexico and killed off a bit of the dominance that the US had experienced over Mexico. It was one of the better moments for Juan Carlos Osorio during his time as manager and another nail in the coffin for Klinsmann before he was ultimately fired.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2019/07/06/five-memorable-matches-mexico-usa/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 2018 World Cup Qualifiers </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_471442" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-471442 size-large" src=https://playingfor90.com/2019/07/06/five-memorable-matches-mexico-usa/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F622566706-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Mexico men’s national team defender Rafael Marquez (L), goal keeper Alfredo Talavera (C) and Hugo Ayala celebrate the team’s 2-1 win against the US men’s national team a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying match in Columbus, Ohio on November 11, 2016. / AFP / Paul Vernon (Photo credit should read PAUL VERNON/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
</div>
</div>
<h3>2. 2018 World Cup Qualifiers</h3>
<p>The 2018 World Cup qualifier, while not the most flashy of games when it comes to these two, did provide some historical significance. Especially for the Mexican side.</p>
<p>Ever since 2002, the USMNT held a sort of stranglehold in the rivalry. At least, when it came to playing in the US. Held in Columbus, the red, white, and blue always seemed to come out on top. However, all that changed in <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2019/07/06/five-memorable-matches-mexico-usa/"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/nov/11/mexico-stun-united-states-on-late-rafael-marquez-winner">November of 2016</a>.</p>
<p>Filled with a roster of recognizable players, Mexico went into Columbus with a new attitude and belief that things would be different. They broke one hex when Miguel Layun scored, giving Mexico the lead, and marking the first time Mexico scored in this road fixture in a long time.</p>
<p>The US tied the game early in the second half through Bobby wood. The game got more physical and it looked like it would end in a draw. But in the 89th, Rafael Marquez, Mexico’s captain and the player US fans love to hate, gave Mexico the win heading the ball off a corner, giving Brad Guzan no chance to save that shot.</p>
<div class="embed ">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">It had to be Rafa Marquez! El Tri's 37-year-old captain provides Mexico the late goal in Columbus. <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2019/07/06/five-memorable-matches-mexico-usa/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/USAvMEX?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#USAvMEX</a> <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2019/07/06/five-memorable-matches-mexico-usa/"https://t.co/G2e9kwUe5o">https://t.co/G2e9kwUe5o
<p>— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2019/07/06/five-memorable-matches-mexico-usa/"https://twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/797271174656892929?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>November 12, 2016</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://playingfor90.com/2019/07/06/five-memorable-matches-mexico-usa/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<p>Marquez, alongside the rest of the Mexican players, celebrated in the corner flag and celebrated some more once the referee blew the final whistle. It was the first time the US lost a qualifier at home since 2001 and Mexico exorcised some of their demons in the process as well.</p>
<p>Looking back, the cycle for the 2018 World Cup saw the tide shift in the rivalry with Mexico going unbeaten against the US in the hexagonal to add to the aforementioned CONCACAF Cup. Mexico went on to top the group comfortably while the US failed to qualify after a loss to Trinidad & Tobago.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2019/07/06/five-memorable-matches-mexico-usa/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Benny Feilhaber strikes for the US </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_471443" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-471443 size-large" src=https://playingfor90.com/2019/07/06/five-memorable-matches-mexico-usa/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F75618019-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Benny Feilhaber scored the winning goal for USA. USA defeated Mexico 2-1 in the final of the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup at sold out Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois on June 24, 2007. (Photo by Tony Quinn/MLS) *** Local Caption ***</p>
</div>
</div>
<h3>3. 2007 Gold Cup Final</h3>
<p>Interestingly enough, the 2007 Gold Cup final was the last time Mexico and the USMNT met at Soldier Field. The predominantly Mexican crowd were on hand to see the US beat Mexico after Benny Feilhaber scored a tremendous volley from outside the box in the 73rd minute.</p>
<p>It was one of the best goals in this rivalry and, similar to the Paul Aguilar goal, made better because it was the winning goal to give his side the title.</p>
<div class="embed embed-video"><iframe loading="lazy" width="500" height="281" src=https://playingfor90.com/2019/07/06/five-memorable-matches-mexico-usa/"https://www.youtube.com/embed/k9t6008ml7E?feature=oembed%22 frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<p>This game was during a time in which both sides had all their best players on hand and felt special. While it still is, it has been watered down because of how many times they seem to face either through the Gold Cup, qualifiers, or friendly games.</p>
<p>The US was coached by Bruce Arena and included players such as Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, Carlos Bocanegra, DaMarcus Beasley, and so on. It was a good US team that had depth. Something that cannot really be said of today’s team. Coached by Bob Bradley, it’s one of the better teams in recent memory.</p>
<p>As for Mexico they still had Rafael Marquez alongside Oswaldo Sanchez, Jared Borgetti, Cuauhtemoc Blanco, Pavel Pardo, Ricardo Osorio, and a young Andres Guardado. However, coached by Hugo Sanchez, it was a rare occasion in which one side had a clear coach advantage.</p>
<p>The win not only gave the US the title, it also gave them a birth to the 2009 Confederations Cup in which they made it all the way to the final, including getting past Spain, the reigning European champions.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2019/07/06/five-memorable-matches-mexico-usa/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> The Giovani Dos Santos game </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_471444" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-471444 size-large" src=https://playingfor90.com/2019/07/06/five-memorable-matches-mexico-usa/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F117329120-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">PASADENA, CA – JUNE 25: Giovani Dos Santos #10 of Mexico gets the ball away from goal keeper Tim Howard #1 of the United States to set up his goal during the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Championship at the Rose Bowl on June 25, 2011 in Pasadena, California. Mexico won 4-2. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)</p>
</div>
</div>
<h3>4. 2011 Gold Cup Final</h3>
<p>As expected, Mexico and USA is always the expected final whenever the Gold Cup comes around. The 2011 edition was no different.</p><div class="widget fs_ads"> <div class="fs_ad_widget-ad" style="margin:0 auto; width: 300px;"> <div class="fs-ll-ad" data-ad-type="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-vendor="minutemedia">
<div id="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-position="slideshow_inline" data-slot="inline_471440" style="width:300px;margin: 0 auto;">
<script>
googletag.cmd.push(function () {
googletag.defineSlot("/175840252/fansided.com/Playingfor90/mpu",[300, 250], "minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet")
.addService(googletag.pubads());
googletag.enableServices();
googletag.display("minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet");
});
</script>
</div>
</div> </div> </div>
<p>Mexico came into the tournament under a cloud of controversy after four of their players were <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2019/07/06/five-memorable-matches-mexico-usa/"https://www.reuters.com/article/us-soccer-concacaf-mexico-doping/mexico-blames-tainted-meat-after-soccer-players-fail-dope-test-idUSTRE75918A20110610">suspended from the Gold Cup</a> after testing positive for the banned substance, clenbuterol. The federation blamed tainted meat on the positive doping results.</p>
<p>Still managed by Bob Bradley, the US got off to an amazing start going 2-0 up on Mexico with Michael Bradley and Landon Donovan getting on the score sheet. Donovan even celebrated with a chicken dance soliciting a reminder to the suspended Mexican players.</p>
<p>But Mexico mounted a comeback with goals by Andres Guardado and a brace by Pablo Herrera putting Mexico in the lead. The cherry on top came in the 76th minute courtesy of Giovani Dos Santos.</p>
<p>After Javier Hernandez saved a ball near the corner flag, Gerardo Torrado filtered a ball inside the box to Dos Santos. A charging Tim Howard came out to block any sort of angle. As if the ball was glued to his foot, Dos Santos dribble around a swatting Tim Howard and a couple US defender. Then, with the swiftest of touch, lobbed the ball to the corner post, squeezing past the head of Eric Lichaj for the goal of the tournament.</p>
<div class="embed ">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">This Giovani Dos Santos goal from the 2011 Gold Cup needs to be talked about more often. <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2019/07/06/five-memorable-matches-mexico-usa/"https://t.co/Z19X0vFE2x">pic.twitter.com/Z19X0vFE2x
<p>— BSN (@BallStreet) <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2019/07/06/five-memorable-matches-mexico-usa/"https://twitter.com/BallStreet/status/1144538422176038912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>June 28, 2019</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://playingfor90.com/2019/07/06/five-memorable-matches-mexico-usa/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<p>There was nothing Tim Howard or anyone else could have done to stop that ball. It’s the best goal anyone has scored in this rivalry and cemented Mexico’s comeback. They went on to <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2019/07/06/five-memorable-matches-mexico-usa/"https://www.aljazeera.com/sport/football/2011/06/20116264294451959.html">win 4-2</a> and that goal will be remembered for a long time.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2019/07/06/five-memorable-matches-mexico-usa/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> The "Dos a Cero" is born </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—></p><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_471448" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-471448 size-large" src=https://playingfor90.com/2019/07/06/five-memorable-matches-mexico-usa/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F792177-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">JEONJU – JUNE 17: Eddie Pope of the USA charges forward during the FIFA World Cup Finals 2002 Second Round match between Mexico and the USA played at the Jeonju World Cup Stadium, in Jeonju, South Korea on June 17, 2002. USA won the match 2-0. DIGITAL IMAGE. (Photo by Gary M. Prior/Getty Images)</p>
</div>
</div>
<h3>5. 2002 World Cup Round of 16</h3>
<p>Arguably, the match that really heated up this rivalry took place in the <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2019/07/06/five-memorable-matches-mexico-usa/"https://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/jun/17/minutebyminute.worldcupfootball20021">2002 World Cup</a> in Korea/Japan. Mexico had, and still hasn’t, made it past the round of 16 despite being a mainstay in the World Cup. Back in 2002, facing the US, they felt that this was their best shot to achieve that.</p>
<p>During this time, Mexico were vastly superior to the US when it came to soccer and believed that beating them pose little to no problems. To their chagrin, they were wrong.</p>
<p>The US came out unafraid of their southern neighbors and an early goal by Brian McBride gave the US a confidence that they could beat Mexico in spite of the history. Beat them they did as the Mexican team got more and more physical, clearly frustrated that they could not score against the Americans.</p>
<p>A young Landon Donovan sealed the victory for the US in the 65th minute. Seeing themselves defeated and headed for another early exit from the World Cup, Mexico got even more physical and things came to a head late when Rafael Marquez was sent off after a foul on Cobi Jones. As they, say the rest was history and the US won 2-0.</p>
<div class="embed embed-video"><iframe loading="lazy" width="500" height="281" src=https://playingfor90.com/2019/07/06/five-memorable-matches-mexico-usa/"https://www.youtube.com/embed/LDnPIq3c0Vc?feature=oembed%22 frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<p>This is where the famous/infamous, depending on who you support, “Dos a Cero” chant come from. The US enjoyed a semblance of dominance over Mexico when playing in American soil ever since. It showed Mexico that the US was a force to be reckoned with within their region and no longer a pushover.</p>
<p>Psychologically, it was a blow for Mexico because soccer was the one sport where they had a leg up on the Americans. Seeing that go away in the biggest stage of them all has to hurt. Luckily for them, their win in 2016 at Columbus managed to take some of that pain away. But until they meet again in the World Cup, US fans will always have this one as a bragging right.</p>
<p>The latest final between these two teams will be another chapter in their rivalry. It’s a final that both want to win and a loss that neither side will tolerate.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">
