USMNT TAKES ON RIVALS MEXICO
New York (April 18, 2023) – One of the greatest rivalries in international soccer will be renewed once against as the U.S. Men’s National Team faces Mexico in the inaugural Allstate Continental Clásico on Wednesday, April 19 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
GOALKEEPERS (3): Drake Callender (Inter Miami; 0/0), Roman Celentano (FC Cincinnati; 0/0), Sean Johnson (Toronto FC/CAN; 11/0)
DEFENDERS (9): Sergiño Dest (AC Milan/ITA; 24/2), Aaron Long (LAFC; 31/3), Julian Gressel (Vancouver Whitecaps/CAN; 2/0), Matt Miazga (FC Cincinnati; 22/1), Shaq Moore (Nashville SC; 17/1), Caleb Wiley (Atlanta United; 0/0), Joshua Wynder (Louisville City; 0/0), DeAndre Yedlin (Inter Miami; 77/0), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC; 39/3)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Kellyn Acosta (LAFC; 57/2), Aidan Morris (Columbus Crew; 2/0), Paxton Pomykal (FC Dallas; 2/0) James Sands (New York City FC; 7/0), Alan Soñora (FC Juárez/MEX; 2/0), Jackson Yueill (San Jose Earthquakes; 16/0)
FORWARDS (4): Cade Cowell (San Jose Earthquakes; 2/0), Jesús Ferreira (FC Dallas; 17/7), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders; 51/11), Brandon Vazquez (FC Cincinnati; 2/1)
With the match falling outside of the designated international calendar, clubs are not required to release players for national team duty. The USA’s roster for the Allstate Continental Clásico features 20 players based in domestic competition and two plying their trade abroad: AC Milan defender Sergiño Dest and FC Juárez midfielder Alan Soñora.
RIVALRY RENEWED
One of internationals soccer’s biggest rivalries will take center stage at the inaugural edition of the Allstate Continental Clásico, as the USA and Mexico will clash for the 75th time. The U.S. is undefeated in its last four matches against El Tri and turned in three memorable victories in their last three meetings on home soil.
Two of those wins clinched continental championships for the USMNT — the thrilling Concacaf Nations League Final in June 2021, an instant classic that featured a Christian Pulisic game-winning goal and heroic penalty kick save from substitute goalkeeper Ethan Horvath in extra time for a 3-2 win, and the Gold Cup Final in August 2021, a 1-0 triumph for the USA in extra time on an 117th-minute goal from defender Miles Robinson. In qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the USMNT added another chapter to the history of Dos a Cero in November 2022 with goals from Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie.
The USMNT is 22-36-16 all-time vs. Mexico in the series dating back to 1934; however, the U.S. team holds a strong 17-9-7 advantage since 2000. Thirteen players on the roster have previously squared off against El Tri, while five were a part of the last meeting, a crucial 0-0 draw at Estadio Azteca during World Cup qualifying on March 24, 2022: defenders Aaron Long, DeAndre Yedlin and Walker Zimmerman, midfielder Kellyn Acosta and forward Jordan Morris.
WORLD CUP VETERANS RETURN
Nine of the 26 players that represented the U.S. at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar will be in Arizona to face off against Mexico: goalkeeper Sean Johnson, defenders Sergiño Dest, Aaron Long, Shaq Moore, Walker Zimmerman and DeAndre Yedlin, midfielder Kellyn Acosta, and forwards Jesùs Ferreira and Jordan Morris.
Dest played a major role at right back in Qatar as one of eight U.S. players to log more than 300 minutes at the World Cup and started all four matches. Zimmerman was also a key contributor, appearing in every match and making a critical goal line clearance late in the USMNT’s knockout round-clinching victory against Iran. Acosta and Morris each made two substitute appearances, while Ferreira started against the Netherlands in the Round of 16.
Morris is currently leading the MLS Golden Boot Race with eight goals in eight matches.
YOUNG STARS AIM
In addition to the World Cup veterans returning to the squad, a number of young players will look to make an impact at the Allstate Continental Clásico. Three are eligible for the upcoming FIFA Under-20 World Cup: defenders Caleb Wiley and Joshua Wynder plus forward Cade Cowell. That trio and midfielder Aidan Morris are eligible to represent the U.S. at the Olympics next summer in Paris, an under-23 competition for men’s soccer.
The 17-year-old Wynder, a nominee for 2022 Chipotle U.S. Soccer Young Male Player of the Year, is the youngest player on the April roster and first USL Championship player called to the USMNT since defenders Jonathan Gómez (Louisville City) and Kobi Henry (Orange County SC) in December 2021. He’s now seeking his full international debut alongside Wiley, who is in the midst of a breakout season with Atlanta United. Aidan Morris earned his first cap in January against Serbia, while Cowell, who earned Insiders Man of the Match in that contest, already has two senior team caps to his name.
USMNT IN AZ
The U.S. is 4-1-2 in Arizona all-time and 3-1-1 when playing in Glendale. Most recently, the USA topped Panama 3-0 on Jan. 27, 2019. The match was Gregg Berhalter’s first as USMNT head coach, while midfielder Djordje Mihailovic scored in his full international debut and Walker Zimmerman netted his second international goal.
The USMNT most recently gathered in the Grand Canyon State for a training camp ahead of the special January/February 2022 international window, added to the FIFA calendar as part of the condensed World Cup qualifying schedule.
INTRODUCING THE ALLSTATE CONTINENTAL CLÁSICO
This USA-Mexico showdown marks the first edition of the Allstate Continental Clásico, a new annual event that features the USMNT hosting a top-tier opponent from North, Central or South America. The event demonstrates Allstate’s commitment to growing soccer in the United States in partnership with U.S. Soccer.
The design and branding for the Allstate Continental Clásico was led by U.S. Soccer’s Brand and Creative team. The insignia draws inspiration from traditional American sports logos, while the font is a nod to Hispanic culture. The red lines represent the USA and grey, the opponent.
USMNT ROSTER NOTES:
The roster will hold an average age of 25 years, 89 days as of gameday. The squad also averages 17 caps.
DeAndre Yedlin (77 caps) is the most seasoned international player on the roster, followed by Kellyn Acosta (57), Jordan Morris (51), Walker Zimmerman (39), Aaron Long (31), Sergiño Dest (24) and Matt Miazga (22).
Nine veterans from the 2022 FIFA World Cup have been called: goalkeeper Sean Johnson, defenders Sergiño Dest, Aaron Long, Shaq Moore, Walker Zimmerman and DeAndre Yedlin, midfielder Kellyn Acosta, and forwards Jesùs Ferreira and Jordan Morris.
Nineteen of the 22 players come from MLS clubs, with the team rounded out by Sergiño Dest (AC Milan; Italian Serie A), Alan Soñora (FC Juárez; Liga MX) and Joshua Wynder (Louisville City; USL Championship).
With three selections, FC Cincinnati leads the list of 12 MLS clubs represented on the U.S. roster, followed by FC Dallas (2), Inter Miami (2), LAFC (2), Nashville SC (2), San Jose Earthquakes (2), Atlanta United (1), Columbus Crew (1), New York City FC (1), Seattle Sounders (1), Toronto FC (1), and Vancouver Whitecaps (1).
Three players will take part in their first senior team camp: defenders Caleb Wiley and Joshua Wynder and goalkeeper Drake Callender. They join January camp debutant goalkeeper Roman Celentano in seeking their first senior team appearances this month.
Roman Celentano comes to USMNT camp tied for the MLS lead in clean sheets with five.
A finalist for the 2022 Chipotle U.S. Soccer Young Male Player of the Year, 17-year-old Joshua Wynder is the youngest player on the April roster and first USL Championship player called to the USMNT since defenders Jonathan Gómez (Louisville City) and Kobi Henry (Orange County SC) in December 2021.
Should he play, Wynder would become the first U.S.-based, non-MLS player to appear for the USMNT since Gómez made his international debut against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Dec. 18, 2021, just weeks before his transfer to Real Sociedad became official.
Defender Matt Miazga is making his first USMNT camp appearance since June 2021. A veteran holding 21 caps, the 27-year-old last appeared as a substitute in the 1-0 win against Honduras in the Concacaf Nations League semifinal.
Midfielder James Sands returns to USMNT camp for the first time since March 2022 and will seek his first appearance since Sept. 8, 2021 at Honduras in World Cup qualifying.
Midfielder Jackson Yueill makes his first camp appearance since January 2022. He last played in the 1-0 win against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Dec. 18, 2021.
Three players who made their USMNT debuts in the 2023 opener against Serbia return for this month’s match, with goal-scorer Brandon Vazquez joined by defender Julian Gressel and midfielder Aidan Morris.
With four assists to his name, Julian Gressel sits one back of the league lead seven weeks into the MLS season.
Cade Cowell, who earned U.S. Soccer Insiders Man of the Match in the Serbia game, joins Caleb Wiley and Joshua Wynder as the three players on the roster that are also age-eligible for the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Eleven players have previous appearances against Mexico: DeAndre Yedlin (9), Kellyn Acosta (6), Jordan Morris (4), Aaron Long (3), Walker Zimmerman (3), Sergiño Dest (2), Matt Miazga (2), Shaq Moore (2), Jesús Ferreira (1), James Sands (1), Jackson Yueill (1).
Should he play on April 19, Yedlin would become the 13th USMNT player to earn double-digit appearances against Mexico.
Five players appeared in the last match against El Trí, a crucial 0-0 draw at Estadio Azteca on March 24, 2022. DeAndre Yedlin and Walker Zimmerman started the match and Kellyn Acosta, Aaron Long and Jordan Morris coming off the bench to help the USA earn a vital point in World Cup qualifying.
Currently leading the MLS Golden Boot Race with eight goals, Jordan Morris scored his first international goal against Mexico, tallying the eventual game winner in the 2-0 victory against El Trí on April 15, 2015 at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
DeAndre Yedlin and Kellyn Acosta have both provided assists in championship matches against Mexico. Yedlin set up Bobby Wood’s 108th minute equalizer in the Concacaf Cup on Oct. 10, 2015 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. Six years later, Acosta served up the free kick for Miles Robinson to head home in the 117th minute of the Concacaf Gold Cup on Aug. 1, 2021 at Allegiant Field in Las Vegas.
Sergiño Dest made his USMNT debut against Mexico on Sept. 6, 2019 in East Rutherford, N.J.
Walker Zimmerman scored his second international goal at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, nodding home a cross from Nick Lima in the 80th minute of a 3-0 win against Panama on Jan. 27, 2019.
USA VS. MEXICO
While the USA’s all-time record against Mexico is 22-36-16, the Red, White and Blue hold a 17-9-7 advantage since 2000.
The USMNT are unbeaten against El Trí in the last four meetings, going 3-0-1. The three victories came during three different competitions during 2021 – a 3-2 extra time win in the Concacaf Nations League Final on June 6 in Denver, a 1-0 extra time win in the Concacaf Gold Cup Final on Aug. 1, 2021 in Las Vegas and another 2-0 win in World Cup qualifying on Nov. 12, 2021 in Cincinnati.
Wednesday’s match is a precursor to another big showdown as the USA and Mexico will meet in the semifinals of the 2022-23 Concacaf Nations League on June 15 in Las Vegas, with the winner meeting either Canada or Panama in the final on June 18.
The USA and Mexico have met once before at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., playing to a 2-2 draw on April 2, 2014 in what was the last match before the USMNT squad was selected for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
MEXICO ROSTER BY POSITION (CLUBS/COUNTRY)
GOALKEEPERS (3): Carlos Acevedo (Santos Laguna; 5/0), Luis Malagón (Club América; 0/0), José Antonio Rodriguez (Tijuana; 0/0)
DEFENDERS (8): Kevin Álvarez (Pachuca; 11/), Julián Araujo (Barcelona B/ESP; 5/0), Néstor Araujo (Club América; 64/3), Omar Campos (Santos Laguna; 0/0), Jesús Gallardo (Monterrey; 82/1), Victor Guzmán (Monterrey; 0/0), Israel Reyes (Club América; 4/1) Gilberto Sepúlveda (Guadalajara; 5/0),
MIDFIELDERS (10): Efrain Alvarez (LA Galaxy; 4/0), Uriel Antuna (Cruz Azul; 40/9), Fernando Beltrán (Guadalajara; 10/0), Alan Cervantes (Santos Laguna; 4/0), Luis Chávez (Pachuca; 13/1), Ozziel Herrera (Atlas; 0/0), Aldo Rocha (Atlas; 0/0), Carlos Rodríguez (Cruz Azul; 39/0), Érick Sánchez (Pachuca; 9/1), Alexis Vega (Guadalajara; 25/6),
FORWARDS (2): Roberto de la Rosa (Pachuca; 0/0), Edgar Iván López (Toluca; 0/0)
IN FOCUS: MEXICO
Argentine manager Diego Cocca was named new head coach of Mexico on Feb. 10, 2023.
Cocca most recently led Tigres UANL, but his biggest success came as manager of Atlas, where he the 2021 Apertura, 2022 Clausura and the 2022 Campeones de Campeones Cup.
Twenty-one of the 23 players are based in Liga MX. Former U.S. youth international and once-capped USMNT defender Julián Araujo (Barcelona B) and attacker Efrain Alvarez (LA Galaxy) make up the foreign-based contingent on the El Trí
Defender Jesús Gallardo, one of two players who perform for first-place Monterrey, is the most experienced player with 82 international appearances. Next in line is the oldest player on the squad, Club America’s 31-year-old defender Nestor Araujo, who has appeared 64 times.
Cruz Azul midfielder Uriel Antuna is the leading goal-scorer with nine tallies in 40 matches.
Carlos Acevedo is the most experienced goalkeeper with five caps, while Luis Malagon and Jose Antonio Rodriguez have yet to appear in an international match.
Pachuca led all clubs with four selections, with Club América and Guadalajara following behind with three, followed by Santos Laguna, Monterrey, Cruz Azul and Atlas with two apiece.
