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Mexico–United States soccer rivalry

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LocationNorth America (CONCACAF)
TeamsMexico Mexico
United States United States
First meetingMay 24, 1934
Stadio Nazionale
Rome, Italy
(MEX 2–4 USA)
Latest meetingJune 11, 2017
Estadio Azteca
Mexico City, Mexico
(MEX 1–1 USA)
Statistics
Meetings total68
Most winsMexico (35)
All-time series35-19–14 (W–L–D) (Mexico)
Largest victorySeptember 4, 1949
(MEX 6–0 USA)

A sports rivalry exists between the national soccer teams of Mexico and the United States, widely considered the two major powers of CONCACAF. The first match was played in 1934, and the teams have met 68 times, with Mexico leading the overall series 35–19–14 (W–L–D), outscoring the U.S. 139–79.

Matches between the two nations often attract much media attention, public interest and comment in both countries. The U.S.-Mexico matches are widely attended; several matches at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico have drawn over 100,000 fans, and several matches at the Rose Bowl in the United States have drawn over 90,000 fans.

The most important matchups take place in quadrennial FIFA World Cup qualification matches and major tournaments such as the CONCACAF Gold Cup. The rivalry plays out often in annual friendlies scheduled during the early months in U.S. cities with large Mexican American populations such as Los Angeles, Houston, and Phoenix.

History

Origin

The first match between the two sides was a qualifying match in Italy for the final ticket to the 1934 World Cup. Where soccer was seen as a foreign sport in the United States, in Mexico, like many Latin American nations, it was embraced from the start as part of their culture. The U.S. had established a professional league in 1921, but it had folded in 1933. The final score was United States 4–2 Mexico. Three years later, Mexico began a winning streak over the U.S. in friendlies 7–2, 7–3, and 5–1 in Mexico City.

Recent years

Prior to 2012, Mexico had never lost to the United States at home and now owns a 23–1–2 (W–L–T) record on their native soil. Mexico has won in the United States seven times, compiling a record of 7–13–9 (W–L–T). The overall Mexican record in the U.S., however, does not reflect the current competitive nature of the series. Since their 1999 win in the U.S. Cup, Mexico has been 4–8–4 on U.S. soil.

In the 21st century, the rivalry added a new chapter with the nickname Dos a Cero (2–0) to U.S. fans. Starting in 2001 during the qualifying cycle for the 2002 World Cup, the U.S. hosted Mexico in Columbus, Ohio at Columbus Crew Stadium, now known as Mapfre Stadium. The first meeting between Mexico and the United States ended in a 2–0 win for the U.S. Following the victory, the U.S. hosted Mexico at Crew Stadium again in 2005, 2009, and 2013 for World Cup Qualifiers (2006, 2010, and 2014 qualifying cycles). Each time these teams met in Columbus, the U.S. has come out with a 2–0 win. Following the September 10, 2013 game the U.S. clinched a World Cup berth following a Panama-Honduras 2–2 draw. Their meeting in the round of 16 of the 2002 World Cup also ended in a U.S. win by the same score.[1] In addition, the U.S. has won three friendlies against Mexico by that score since 2000—in Los Angeles in 2000, the Phoenix area in 2007, and San Antonio in 2015.[2]

On November 11th, 2016, Mexico was finally able to win a hexagonal world cup qualifier in Columbus after beating the U.S. 1-2 with a late Rafael Marquez header.

Results

Summary

On a macro level, Mexico leads the series 35–19, with almost the double of goals to the U.S. (139–79).

On neutral territory, the United States leads the series 3–2. In addition, the lone World Cup match between the two countries, a Round of 16 meeting at the 2002 FIFA World Cup in South Korea, resulted in a 2–0 victory for the United States.

Years Matches For Mexico Draw For USA Goals
All Time 68 35 14 19 Mexico 139–79 United States
1930s–1940s 7 6 0 1 Mexico 38–12 United States
1950s–1960s 8 6 2 0 Mexico 30–8 United States
1970s–1980s 12 10 1 1 Mexico 27–7 United States
1990s 15 6 5 4 Mexico 15–18 United States
2000s 16 4 2 10 Mexico 13–23 United States
2010s 10 3 4 3 Mexico 13–14 United States
Main Championship Titles Mexico United States
FIFA Confederations Cup
1
0
CONCACAF Gold Cup
7
6
CONCACAF Cup
1
0
CONCACAF Championship*
3
0

*no longer played

Gold Cup finals

The United States and Mexico have met in five Gold Cup finals to date, with Mexico holding a four games to one lead over the United States.

CONCACAF Gold Cup finals
Tournament Host Winner Final Score Runner-up
1993  Mexico
Mexico
4–0
United States
1998  United States
Mexico
1–0
United States
2007  United States
United States
2–1
Mexico
2009  United States
Mexico
5–0
United States
2011  United States
Mexico
4–2
United States

List of matches

Date Location Competition Result Attendance
May 24, 1934 Italy Stadio Nazionale, Rome, Italy 1934 FIFA World Cup Qualifier United States 4–2 10,000
September 12, 1937 Mexico Parque Asturias, Mexico City, D.F. Friendly Mexico 7–2 21,000
September 19, 1937 Mexico Parque Necaxa, Mexico City, D.F. Friendly Mexico 7–3 22,000
September 26, 1937 Mexico Parque España, Mexico City, D.F. Friendly Mexico 5–1
July 13, 1947 Cuba Estadio Tropical, Havana, Cuba 1947 NAFC Championship Mexico 5–0
September 4, 1949 Mexico Estadio de los Deportes, Mexico City, D.F. 1949 NAFC Championship[n 1] Mexico 6–0 60,000
September 18, 1949 Mexico Estadio de los Deportes, Mexico City, D.F. 1949 NAFC Championship[n 1] Mexico 6–2 54,500
January 10, 1954 Mexico Estadio de los Deportes, Mexico City, D.F. 1954 FIFA World Cup qualifier Mexico 4–0 60,000
January 14, 1954 Mexico Estadio de los Deportes, Mexico City, D.F. 1954 FIFA World Cup qualifier Mexico 3–1 40,000
April 7, 1957 Mexico Estadio Olímpico Universitario, Mexico City, D.F. 1958 FIFA World Cup qualifier Mexico 6–0 75,000
April 28, 1957 United States Veterans Memorial Stadium, Long Beach, California 1958 FIFA World Cup qualifier Mexico 7–2 12,500
November 6, 1960 United States Wrigley Field, Los Angeles, California 1962 FIFA World Cup qualifier 3–3 8,000
November 13, 1960 Mexico Estadio Olímpico Universitario, Mexico City, D.F. 1962 FIFA World Cup qualifier Mexico 3–0 80,000
March 7, 1965 United States Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California 1966 FIFA World Cup qualifier 2–2 19,337
March 12, 1965 Mexico Estadio Olímpico Universitario, Mexico City, D.F. 1966 FIFA World Cup qualifier Mexico 2–0 64,285
September 3, 1972 Mexico Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, D.F. 1974 FIFA World Cup qualifier Mexico 3–1 29,891
September 10, 1972 United States Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California 1974 FIFA World Cup qualifier Mexico 2–1 9,620
October 16, 1973 Mexico Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, D.F. Friendly Mexico 2–0 14,000
September 5, 1974 Mexico Estadio Universitario, San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León Friendly Mexico 3–1 25,000
September 8, 1974 United States Cotton Bowl, Dallas Friendly Mexico 1–0 22,164
August 24, 1975 Mexico Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, D.F. Friendly Mexico 2–0
October 3, 1976 United States Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California 1978 FIFA World Cup qualifier 0–0 31,171
October 15, 1976 Mexico Estadio Cuauhtémoc, Puebla, Puebla 1978 FIFA World Cup qualifier Mexico 3–0 35,000
September 27, 1977 Mexico Estadio Universitario, San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León Friendly Mexico 3–0 20,000
November 9, 1980 Mexico Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, D.F. 1982 FIFA World Cup qualifier Mexico 5–1 90,000
November 23, 1980 United States Lockhart Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 1982 FIFA World Cup qualifier United States 2–1 2,126
October 17, 1984 Mexico Estadio Neza 86, Ciudad Nezahualcóyotl, Estado de México Friendly Mexico 2–1
May 10, 1990 Canada Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada 1990 North American Nations Cup Mexico 1–0
March 12, 1991 United States Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California 1991 North American Nations Cup 2–2
July 5, 1991 United States Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California 1991 Gold Cup semifinal United States 2–0 41,103
July 25, 1993 Mexico Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, D.F. 1993 CONCACAF Gold Cup final Mexico 4–0 120,000
October 13, 1993 United States RFK Stadium, Washington, D.C. Friendly 1–1 23,927
June 4, 1994 United States Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California Friendly United States 1–0 91,123
June 18, 1995 United States RFK Stadium, Washington, D.C. 1995 U.S. Cup United States 4–0 38,615
July 17, 1995 Uruguay Estadio Parque Artigas, Paysandú, Uruguay 1995 Copa América Quarterfinal United States 0–0 (4–1) PK 15,000
June 16, 1996 United States Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California 1996 U.S. Cup 2–2 92,216
January 19, 1997 United States Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California 1997 U.S. Cup Mexico 2–0 31,725
April 20, 1997 United States Foxboro Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts 1998 FIFA World Cup qualifier 2–2 57,877
November 2, 1997 Mexico Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, D.F. 1998 FIFA World Cup qualifier 0–0 115,000
February 15, 1998 United States Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California 1998 CONCACAF Gold Cup final Mexico 1–0 91,255
March 13, 1999 United States Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California 1999 U.S. Cup Mexico 2–1 50,234
August 1, 1999 Mexico Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, D.F. 1999 Confederations Cup semifinal Mexico 1–0 aet (0–0) 65,000
June 11, 2000 United States Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey 2000 U.S. Cup United States 3–0 45,008
October 25, 2000 United States Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California Friendly United States 2–0 61,072
February 28, 2001 United States Columbus Crew Stadium, Columbus, Ohio 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifier United States 2–0 24,329
July 1, 2001 Mexico Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, D.F. 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifier Mexico 1–0 110,000
April 3, 2002 United States Invesco Field at Mile High, Denver Friendly United States 1–0 48,476
June 17, 2002 South Korea Jeonju World Cup Stadium, Jeonju, South Korea 2002 FIFA World Cup Round Of 16 United States 2–0 36,380
May 8, 2003 United States Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas Friendly 0–0 69,582
April 28, 2004 United States Cotton Bowl, Dallas, Texas Friendly United States 1–0 45,048
March 27, 2005 Mexico Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, D.F. 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifier Mexico 2–1 110,000
September 3, 2005 United States Columbus Crew Stadium, Columbus, Ohio 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifier United States 2–0 24,685
February 7, 2007 United States University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona Friendly United States 2–0 62,462
June 24, 2007 United States Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup final United States 2–1 60,000
February 6, 2008 United States Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas Friendly 2–2 70,103
February 11, 2009 United States Columbus Crew Stadium, Columbus, Ohio 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier United States 2–0 23,776
July 26, 2009 United States Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup final Mexico 5–0 79,156
August 12, 2009 Mexico Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, D.F. 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier Mexico 2–1 110,000
June 25, 2011 United States Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup final Mexico 4–2 93,420
August 10, 2011 United States Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia Friendly 1–1 30,138
August 15, 2012 Mexico Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, D.F. Friendly United States 1–0 56,000
March 26, 2013 Mexico Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, D.F. 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier 0–0 85,500
September 10, 2013 United States Columbus Crew Stadium, Columbus, Ohio 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier United States 2–0 24,584
April 2, 2014 United States University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona Friendly 2–2 59,066
April 15, 2015 United States Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas Friendly United States 2–0 64,369
October 10, 2015 United States Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California 2015 CONCACAF Cup Mexico 3–2 93,420
November 11, 2016 United States MAPFRE Stadium, Columbus, Ohio 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier Mexico 2–1 24,650
June 11, 2017 Mexico Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, D.F. 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier 1–1 71,537

Player eligibility

The United States and Mexico also compete to convince players who are eligible to play for both the United States and Mexico (e.g., a player who was born in the United States to Mexican parents) to play for their particular national team. To date, only two players, Martín Vásquez and Edgar Castillo have played for both nations. Castillo, who was born in Las Cruces, New Mexico, debuted with the Mexican side in August 2007 for a match that was part of the 2008 CONCACAF Men Pre-Olympic Tournament. Castillo played his first game for the United States, a friendly against Denmark in 2009.

Incidents

Prior to an Olympic qualifying game in Guadalajara, Mexico, on February 10, 2004, Mexican media reported that U.S. player Landon Donovan urinated on the field during practice, which angered Mexican fans and media outlets.[3] Subsequent video showed Donovan actually urinated near some bushes outside the practice areas. Two days later, on February 12, 2004, Mexico defeated the U.S. 4–0, and the crowd was heard chanting "Osama, Osama, Osama", in reference to Osama bin Laden and the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.[4]

In a friendly held in Glendale, Arizona on February 7, 2007, Landon Donovan scored in injury time to give the U.S. a 2–0 lead and win over Mexico. After the goal, Mexico goalkeeper Oswaldo Sánchez tried to trip U.S. player Eddie Johnson as Johnson was running to celebrate the goal. No contact was made, and no reprimand resulted.[5]

On February 11, 2009, the first qualifier for the 2010 World Cup was held in Columbus Crew Stadium, and resulted in a 2–0 victory for the U.S. against Mexico. After the game, as both teams headed through the tunnels to the locker room, Mexican assistant coach Francisco "Paco" Javier Ramírez slapped Frankie Hejduk in the face.[6] Hejduk did not retaliate, and Ramirez was not reprimanded.

Women's soccer

The rivalry is less hostile in women's soccer but still important. Most games have been played on U.S. soil. However, games have been played between both teams in Mexico as well; including one at Estadio Azteca in 1999 which ended 0–0. Another was played during the 2008 CONCACAF Women's U-20 Championship at Puebla, Mexico, where the U.S. U-20 defeated the Mexico U-20 3–0. The Mexican women's team has only defeated the U.S. once, at the 2010 CONCACAF Women's Gold Cup semifinal, where they won 2–1. This win got the Mexican women to their second Women's World Cup. Mexico also defeated the U.S. at the 2007 Pan American Games in Brazil, where Mexico won 3–2 after being down 2 goals, though this match is not considered official by both associations and FIFA due to the U.S. fielding their U20 team in that tournament as opposed to their senior team.

A 2012 documentary, Gringos at the Gate / Ahi Vienen Los Gringos, written and directed by Pablo Miralles, Roberto Donati, and Michael Whalen,[7] focuses on the cultural differences between the United States and Mexico when it comes to soccer. This includes the conflict of Mexican-American players in the U.S. while their family might support Mexico.[8]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b Matches were also qualifiers for the 1950 World Cup.

References

  1. ^ Manfred, Tony (September 10, 2013). "DOS A CERO: USA Beats Mexico 2–0 Again, Qualifies For The 2014 World Cup". Business Insider. Retrieved September 10, 2013. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  2. ^ "Legend of "Dos A Cero" lives on: Here's the full list of 2-0 wins by the US national team over Mexico". Major League Soccer. April 16, 2015. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
  3. ^ "EU – México | Donovan orinó la cancha del Jalisco". Es.rec.deportes.futbol.narkive.com. February 11, 2004. Retrieved July 29, 2015.
  4. ^ Whiteside, Kelly (February 12, 2004). "USATODAY.com – Notebook: Mexicans' behavior part of the game". Usatoday30.usatoday.com. Retrieved July 29, 2015.
  5. ^ "USA v Mexico 2/7/07". YouTube. Retrieved July 29, 2015.
  6. ^ "Frankie Hejduk Gets Slapped By a Mexican Coach". Bleacher Report. February 13, 2009. Retrieved July 29, 2015.
  7. ^ "Gringos at the Gate (2012)". IMDb.com. Retrieved July 29, 2015.
  8. ^ [1] Archived November 1, 2013, at the Wayback Machine