The USMNT faces arch-rival Mexico in Sunday's Gold Cup final, and Goal runs down the 10 best installments of the rivalry in the past 20 years
The U.S. national team and Mexico will renew their rivalry on Sunday in the Concacaf Gold Cup final, facing off in the regional championship game for the first time since 2011. The allure of lifting a trophy will only serve to add more spice to a rivalry that doesn't need much help delivering the drama over the years.
The first time the USMNT faced Mexico was way back in 1934 and it didn't take place in North America, but rather in Rome, where the United States defeated Mexico at the World Cup. That win would be the only one the Americans would record against El Tri for 46 years. For the better part of 65 years, the rivalry was so one-sided it was tough to call it much of a rivalry.
Things started changing around 2000, when the United States started beating Mexico with regularity, and in the past two decades the neighbors have forged a rivalry that has blossomed into a real battle for CONCACAF supremacy.
The United States holds a 14-9-6 advantage in the past 20 years, but Mexico has turned things around, boasting a 5-4-4 edge on the Americans in the past 13 meetings. El Tri has also gotten the better of their rivals in recent title games, having won the past three matches where a cup was on the line.
Sunday's Gold Cup final will mark my 22nd time covering the rivalry, a collection of matches that have delivered drama, skill, passion, anger and joy. I have followed the rivalry to as far as way as South Korea, and others as close as the old Giants Stadium, whose former location I can see from my house in New Jersey. That was also the very stadium where I covered my first USA-Mexico match, back in 2000.
The next chapter of the rivalry will take place on Sunday in Soldier Field, a venue with its own special place in the rivalry. It was in Soldier Field where Benny Feilhaber's wonder goal helped the Americans defeat Mexico in front of a packed pro-Mexico crowd in the 2007 Gold Cup final.
Sunday's final has the makings of a special match, but it will need to deliver some magic to crack Goal's list of the best USA-Mexico matches of the past 20 years.
Here is a look at the 10 best:
Pedro Pardo102017: Mexico 1, USA 1 (World Cup qualifier)
The USMNT registered its second straight World Cup qualifying draw at Estadio Azteca in a back-and-forth encounter that produced one of the best goals in the series. Michael Bradley's long-range strike in the sixth minute stunned the crowd in Mexico City, but it didn't stop Mexico from taking control and eventually finding an equalizer in the 23rd minute courtesy of a Carlos Vela solo effort.
Bruce Arena was lauded for his tactical approach to securing a point at the Azteca, but it was also the excellent work of his defense and Bradley that helped the USMNT earn a point. Unfortunately for the United States, a trip to the 2018 World Cup still didn't happen.
AdvertisementJamie Sabau92009: USA 2, Mexico 0 (World Cup qualifier)
Another dominating performance by the United States in Columbus saw Michael Bradley put on one of his best performances for the national team. He scored both goals, one in the 43rd minute and one in second-half stoppage time to help the USMNT get its Hexagonal round of World Cup qualifying off to a winning start.
Paul Vernon82016: USA 1, Mexico 2 (World Cup qualifier)
The Columbus curse came to an end for El Tri, but it didn't come easy. Mexico dominated the USMNT in the first half, threatening to run away with the win before some in-game adjustments helped the Americans settle into the match.
Bobby Wood's 49th-minute equalizer helped give the Americans the momentum, but they couldn't find another goal, and it left the door open for long-time USA-Mexico villain Rafa Marquez to head home the winner in the 89th minute. The goal helped Mexico post its first win in Columbus after four straight qualifying shutout losses, and it also helped put a nail in the coffin of Jurgen Klinsmann's tenure as USMNT coach.
Donald Miralle72009: Mexico 2, USA 1 (World Cup qualifier)
When Charlie Davies opened the scoring at Estadio Azteca on this day in 2009, it looked like Mexico's undefeated record against the United States in home qualifiers might be in jeopardy. Unfortunately for the Americans, they couldn't add to that lead as Mexico responded just 10 minutes later courtesy of a 28-yard blast by Israel Castro.
The Americans looked like they might be able to escape Mexico City with a draw, but Miguel Sabah's close-range goal in the 82nd minute set off raucous celebrations at the Azteca, and eventually sent the USMNT home with another loss.