The United States Men’s National Team faced a tough challenge against rivals Mexico in a friendly match held at Akron Stadium in Guadalajara, Mexico, resulting in a 2-0 defeat. This game, played shortly after a victory against Panama, provided an opportunity for USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino to assess his squad’s depth and capabilities against a strong Mexican side. While the match was a friendly, the performance and team selection offered insights into the current state of both teams, particularly concerning their player lineups and tactical approaches.
Match Overview: Mexico’s Dominance Over USMNT
Mexico asserted their dominance on home soil, securing a comfortable 2-0 victory over the USMNT. Raúl Jiménez opened the scoring with a well-executed free kick in the first half, showcasing Mexico’s clinical edge. Early in the second half, a defensive misstep from the USMNT allowed César Huerta to extend Mexico’s lead, sealing the win for El Tri. Throughout the match, Mexico outplayed and outhustled the USMNT, evidenced by their superior shot count of 17 to 5 and an expected goals (xG) of 0.27 for the USMNT, highlighting the offensive struggles faced by the American side.
USMNT Lineup Choices and Performance Assessment
Facing Mexico just 72 hours after defeating Panama, Mauricio Pochettino opted to field a largely “B” team for this friendly encounter. This decision was understandable given the tight schedule and the nature of the match. However, the performance raised questions about the USMNT’s depth and the effectiveness of the chosen lineup against a formidable opponent like Mexico. Key players such as Christian Pulisic, Tim Weah, Weston McKennie, and others were unavailable, forcing Pochettino to rely on players who are typically not first-choice starters.
USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino observes the game from the sideline during the match against Mexico.
The midfield trio of Brenden Aaronson, Yunus Musah, and Gianluca Busio struggled to impact the game, failing to control possession or create meaningful attacking opportunities. Forward Josh Sargent’s performance was also underwhelming, potentially impacting his chances for future important matches. Defensively, Tim Ream, usually a reliable presence, made a costly error leading to Mexico’s second goal. Antonee Robinson and substitute Alejandro Zendejas were among the few USMNT players who showed glimpses of positive play. Zendejas, in particular, injected much-needed energy into the team in the second half and was arguably the standout performer for the USMNT in this match.
Mexico’s Lineup and Tactical Superiority
In contrast to the USMNT’s rotated squad, Mexico fielded a strong lineup, including many of their top players. This difference in team selection was a significant factor in Mexico’s dominant performance. Mexico’s tactical approach effectively stifled the USMNT’s attack and exploited defensive vulnerabilities. They demonstrated superior intensity and cohesion throughout the match, highlighting the current gap between the two teams, especially when the USMNT does not field its strongest possible lineup.
Coaching Perspective and Future Outlook
Despite the disappointing result, coach Mauricio Pochettino emphasized the learning opportunity presented by this match. Acknowledging the team’s subpar performance, he highlighted the importance of such games in the development process, especially with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon. Pochettino had limited time to prepare the team, and the absence of key players undoubtedly influenced the outcome. The game revealed potential depth concerns within the USMNT squad, an issue that needs to be addressed as they aim to become a top contender. However, Pochettino and fans alike will hope that with a full-strength lineup and more preparation time, the USMNT can deliver a much stronger performance in future encounters against Mexico and other top teams.
USMNT Man of the Match: Alejandro Zendejas
Despite the overall negative team performance, Alejandro Zendejas emerged as a positive note for the USMNT. Coming on as a substitute in the second half, Zendejas displayed commendable energy and a positive attitude, qualities that were lacking in much of the USMNT’s play throughout the game. His contribution in his 45 minutes on the field earned him the unofficial title of USMNT man of the match in a game where positives were few and far between.
