Late Finish Secures USA a Win Over Mexico, 2-0

The US men’s soccer national team needed 11 minutes in the second half to blitz Mexico and post a big 2-0 win over the biggest rivals.

Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie scored a goal each, to lift the Yankees over Sombreros at the TQL Stadium in Cincinnati. This victory is highly significant because it might provide Gregg Berhalter’s unit with a top spot in the CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers zone.

The match started with lots of actions on both sides and with goalkeepers Zach Steffen and Guillermo Ochoa being in the center of attention. Even though we saw a lot of good chances, the nets were intact.

Hirving Lozano and McKennie both made problems for the rivals, creating a headache for the defenders and the goalkeepers.

CHRISTIAN PULISIC PUTS THE USMNT AHEAD MINUTES AFTER SUBBING ON 🤯 pic.twitter.com/ZVqUzJ1sRZ

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 13, 2021

Pulisic came off the bench just a minute before scoring a goal. Chelsea’s midfielder and the leader of the new wave of American football stuffed home a header. It was a shock for the guests, and a massive boost for the US side, who shortly after netted once more.

“I was really happy to come in and help my team win this game, break the deadlock; to get the first goal was huge, we were so happy with that performance today.”

McKennie hit the back of the net with a short-range shot, that ended behind Ochoa for 2-0, with five minutes to go. From this point, there was no turning back for the Mexicans.

Some trash talk in the media added spice to this matchup, and it presented a motive for the hosts. There were some tensions during the contest, but overall this was a clean game. US’ Miles Robinson received a red card after a pair of yellows, but he didn’t get the punishment because of some hard or unsportsmanlike tackles.

Mexicans didn’t disappoint, and they weren’t an inferior side in this clash. Their head coach, Gerardo “Tata” Martino, admitted that it hurts to see his team losing three times in a row against the biggest rivals.

“I understand the importance of this game and the rivalry and having three consecutive defeats against an opponent that all Mexicans always want to beat. We have to focus on finding a way to regain our form in the qualifying.”

WESTON MCKENNIE. DAGGER. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/UE8sxkh381

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 13, 2021

This was the first loss of the Mexicans in these qualifiers, which ties them with the Americans atop the standings. For the moment, Berhalter’s unit is better due to a tiebreaker.

Up next, Mexico will play against Canada on the road. This is one of the most important games of the who cycle for Mexico because Canada sits only one point behind them, and with a loss in this one, the Mexicans could even end up tied with the currently fourth-placed Panama.

Only the top three teams from the standings go to the World Cup directly, while the fourth has to enter the playoffs.

On the other side, the USA faces Jamaica, also on the road. Even though the Reggae Boyz play pale football, they can’t be underestimated, as they always create trouble for the Americans. Three points are imperative, especially due to the fact that Canada and Mexico meet.

In other matches of the night, Panama beat Honduras on the road, 2-3, El Salvador and Jamaica split a point each, 1-1, while Canada narrowly beat Costa Rica, 1-0.