The highly anticipated friendly match between the U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) and Mexico, a classic rivalry in North American soccer, concluded with a 2-0 victory for El Tri. Played at Akron Stadium in Guadalajara, Mexico, the game served as Mauricio Pochettino’s first experience leading the USMNT against their fierce rivals. However, it was an outing to forget for the American side, who were outplayed and outhustled by a motivated Mexican team.
Mexico’s goals came from a Raúl Jiménez free kick in the first half and a César Huerta strike early in the second, capitalizing on a USMNT defensive error. This defeat raises questions and provides valuable lessons for the USMNT as they look ahead to crucial CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal matches in November. Here’s a breakdown of the USMNT’s performance in this revealing Mexico Vs Usa Soccer encounter.
USMNT Player Performance: A Disappointing Display
Grading the USMNT players after this Mexico vs USA soccer match reveals significant areas for concern. Playing just 72 hours after a win against Panama, the USMNT fielded a largely second-string roster against a full-strength Mexican side. While fatigue may have been a factor, the manner of the defeat is still worrying.
The USMNT appeared sluggish and lacked the sharpness expected in a match against a top rival like Mexico. They were outshot 17-5, managed an expected goals (xG) of just 0.27, and crucially, seemed to lack the intensity demonstrated by the Mexican players. Apart from a positive contribution from substitute Alejandro Zendejas, few US players matched the required energy levels for this high-stakes Mexico vs USA soccer clash.
Players in action during a Mexico vs USA soccer game, highlighting the intensity of the rivalry between USMNT and El Tri
Key midfielders Brenden Aaronson, Yunus Musah, and Gianluca Busio struggled to impact the game, failing to control the midfield or create meaningful attacks. Forward Josh Sargent’s performance was also underwhelming, potentially impacting his chances for future important USMNT games. Defensively, Tim Ream, usually a reliable presence, made a costly error leading to Mexico’s second goal. Antonee Robinson was one of the few USMNT players who showed glimpses of quality alongside Zendejas.
“It wasn’t a good performance,” admitted Pochettino post-match. “This is perfect for us to learn from… For us, it’s a process.” This honest assessment underlines the developmental stage Pochettino finds the USMNT in as they prepare for upcoming challenges.
Coaching Analysis: Pochettino’s Learning Curve in Mexico vs USA Soccer
It’s important to contextualize this Mexico vs USA soccer result within Mauricio Pochettino’s early tenure. Having had limited training time with the squad – just three days prior to the Panama game – and facing significant player unavailability due to injuries, Pochettino was working with a depleted roster. Key players such as Christian Pulisic, Tim Weah, Weston McKennie, and others were absent. Commentators noted that very few players from Tuesday’s lineup would likely start in a major competitive match, highlighting the experimental nature of this friendly.
Despite these mitigating factors, the game exposed a potential depth issue within the USMNT player pool. While the USMNT has seen a rise in players competing in top European leagues, the performance of the second-tier players in this Mexico vs USA soccer match suggests a gap in quality. Young players like Aaronson, Musah, and Busio, while possessing potential, need to consistently perform at a higher level.
This defeat in the Mexico vs USA soccer context shouldn’t trigger panic, especially concerning Pochettino’s influence. However, it provides no immediate positives and underscores the work needed to build a stronger and deeper USMNT squad capable of competing consistently against rivals like Mexico and on the world stage, particularly with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon.
Alejandro Zendejas: USMNT Man of the Match
A bright spot for the USMNT in this Mexico vs USA soccer game was the performance of Alejandro Zendejas. Coming on as a substitute for the second half, Zendejas injected much-needed energy and urgency into the USMNT’s play. His 45-minute contribution stood in stark contrast to the lackluster performances seen across much of the team, demonstrating a level of commitment and drive that was largely missing in this Mexico vs USA soccer encounter.
While the overall result was disappointing for the USMNT in this Mexico vs USA soccer friendly, the match serves as a critical evaluation point for Pochettino and the team management. The lessons learned from this defeat will be invaluable as they prepare for more competitive fixtures and strive to build a team ready for the challenges ahead, including the crucial rivalry clashes with Mexico in the future.
