Concacaf’s top two National Teams will square off once again jostling for supremacy in the federation.
The U.S. Men’s National Team takes on Gold Cup winners Mexico in East Rutherford, N.J. Friday night, looking to exact revenge on its rivals. Mexico downed the USMNT 1-0 in July to claim an eighth all-time Gold Cup title.
For Gregg Berhalter’s team this will be the first of two friendlies in the coming week. Following the date with Mexico at MetLife Stadium, the team will face Uruguay at St. Louis’ Busch Stadium.
Zack Steffen wears the captain’s armband tonight for the USMNT, while Sergino Dest gets his first start with the senior squad. Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie headline an attack which also features Tyler Boyd and Gyasi Zardes. John Brooks is out due to a groin injury, while Brad Guzan also misses out.
The Mexican National Team is trotting a second-choice lineup, with regular starters Guillermo Ochoa, Raul Jimenez and Edson Alvarez on the bench ahead of next week’s friendly against Argentina. It’s still a very strong El Tri side, with Chicharito, Hector Herrera and Andres Guardado among the standouts:
The SBI editorial staff will be providing live on-site commentary on this evening’s match so feel free to follow the action here. As always, you are welcome to share your own thoughts and opinions (NOT play-by-play commentary) in the comments section below.
Enjoy the match.
We also need to be playing a 4 4 2 and pullisic needs to be in the center of the midfield as a #10 with freedom to roam the field. Altidore and someone else needs to be in at foward. We need to play to our strengths I have come to the conclusion that a defensive team playing to in a counter attack style is our best bet. Americans are good in running transitions in all sports and in the 2002 world cup we where two games away from the world cup final playing a counter attack style in the 2009 confederations cup we made it to the final playing the same counter attacking style of soccer. We always gave Mexico a run for their money playing that way. Then klinnsman came and wanted a possession style attacking play but I think Americans aren’t good at this it even showed tonight. The only thing close to this style of soccer was at the 2019 u20 world cup with coach tab ramos. May god or something help us.
It’s a well deserved victory for Mexico. We’re out-played and out-coached. I’m speechless!
Pulisic should just retire from the national team and focus on his club career. Why put yourself through getting destroyed playing away matches in your own country. Its just depressing.
i can’t imagine the flack that Pulisic will receive if he starts turning down call ups. God help the kid.
Fire both Greg Berhalter and Earnie Stewart. They do not know crap!
FIRE BERHALTER WE CAN AFFORD TO NOT GO TO A WORLD CUP. THERE IS NO DEFENSIVE DISCIPLINE AND ABSOLUTELY NO ATTACKING THREAT FROM THIS TEAM.
Mexico’s counter shreds the USMNT as Lozano and Antuna connect for a third El Tri goal. 83′
Don’t know Berhalter is teaching those guys, playing around your box under pressure is plain stupid. A high school goalie wouldn’t make that mistake.
Barcelona plays like that all the time and wins! Of course. . . . .
Steffen’s poor pass allowed Mexico to pounce and Erick Gutierrez scores immediately after coming on. 2-0 El Tri. 80′
This team is a joke. But not a very funny one.
Mexico fans being warned for their chant towards Zack Steffen on that goal kick. 76′
Every pass tonight has been two feet to far in front or two feet behind. Credit to Mexico they’ve caused at least some of that.
Lozano almost scores immediately after coming on. Also, 47,960 is the attendance tonight at MetLife. 72′
Alvarado lines up a shot after the U.S. clears but it goes over. 70′
Daniel Lovitz on for Dest, Sargent for Zardes. 68′
Here comes Sargent and Lletget it looks like. 65′
If you give the automatic red card for the slap to the face you probably don’t need to make the dramatic I’m taking charge of this game on the shoulder tackle.
A 4-on-2 for Mexico eventually sees Corona tee up a shot but he misses wide. 61′
U.S. subs: Jordan Morris on for Boyd, Miles Robinson making his senior debut on for Zimmerman. 59′
Jordan Morris readying to come on. 55′
Far too many anonymous performers right now. Boyd and Zardes have been passengers. Subs please.
Almost a U.S. break but luckily for Mexico, Sanchez deflects the ball out. Zardes and Pulisic were on the break. 54′
Who will be the first USMNT sub tonight? Has to be attacking minded for sure. 53′
Hector Moreno down for Mexico there after a collision. He’s up now. 50′
U.S. on the pitch first from the tunnel. Maybe Berhalter laid into them at the break. 45′
Morales sucks. He really, really sucks.
I guess that’s why he wasn’t getting called.
HT: USMNT 0 – Mexico 1. Hernandez with the lone goal so far, his 52nd career all time. Nobody has played well for the U.S. so far. Expect some changes after the break. More to come from MetLife
Aaron Long is the first player to receive a yellow card tonight after a foul on Hernandez. 45′
Pulisic gets greeted by Sanchez and Guardado after almost taking out Sanchez on a play. Definitely frustrated at this point. 44′
Three players who have been non-existent tonight so far: Boyd, Zardes, and Trapp. 42′
We’ve been happy to play up the left for Pulisic and they’re pretty happy with their Corona vs Dest matchup so not much for Boyd or Trapp on our right side to do. Have to rewatch the goal to see if either could have done more but Chicharito shouldn’t have been withers assignment.
Just watched the replay of the Weston turnover that should have been 2-0. He was put in a terrible position but yikes that was bad defense by Trapp
Having CP out wide seems to be drawing all our offense to the left. Boyd and Cannon have barely touched it. Get the ball to your best but we’re really one sided right now.
Pulisic with great skill down the field and eventually passes to an open Morales. However, the Dusseldorf midfielder’s shot misses wide. 38′ #USAvMEX
Morales battles with Hector Herrera there and finally throws the Mexican midfielder to the ground and tells him to get up. 35′ #USAvMEX
A bad giveaway from the U.S. there and Corona misses a curler that goes over. Could’ve been 2-0. 33′
Orozco races off his line to win the ball and luckily Mexico can clear it before Pulisic has a go on goal. 30′
If this was a competitive game, I’d hope Pulisic takes a more aggressive line to that ball.
Not great by the USMNT who had FIVE defenders in the box on that goal. Dest looked sharp but was beaten easily there by Corona who is having a field day so far. 27′
Was about to mention how well Dest was playing…. then he got punked like a complete hoe for that goal. Ouch.
GOAL MEXICO. Dest gets beat by Jesus Corona who crosses to the head of Javier Hernandez. 1-0 21′
Defensive pressure looks so much better with Zardes and McKennie up top than Altidore and Pulisic
Great coverage from Dest who sees the cross go out for a corner. Good speed to get back and defend. 18′
Dest is getting eyedrops in it looks like on the sideline. Was caught in the scuffle.
Dest wins the foul and goes down. He is drowned by plenty of boos from the Mexico faithful here tonight. 16′
McKennie is set up by Dest but his shot lacks the power to trouble Orozco. 13′
Ball was swerving… was actually a pretty good hit I thought!
U.S. finally getting some possession now in Mexico’s half. 12′
Why Trapp in starting XI Beerholder ??. Is Brooks injured?
Yes.