U.S. lost over Mexico 1-2
United States vs. Mexico ended with 1-2 on Fridays night match in Columbus, Ohio. Dos a Cero was dead, when Mexico with inferior talent put ahead in victory.
Dos a Cero has become an unofficial nickname of sorts for the U.S. vs. Mexico game and rivalry.
It has resulted from the last four World Cup qualifiers played in Columbus, Ohio, but it has actually been the most common scoreline in the series. There have been 13 games out of 66 total in the U.S. vs. Mexico rivalry that have ended with 2-0 on the scoreboard.
Mistakes on set pieces happen, and Brooks has earned a lot of equity for the US with his play over the past year. He was mostly very good this evening, and was spectacular this summer at the Copa America.
Despite that, the U.S. played with Mexico time and time again, even holding the advantage in the rivalry for the better part of the 2000s. Every time El Tri traveled to Columbus, they walked away with 2-0 losers.
Highlights from game on Friday, Rafa Marquez lead home in the 89th minute to lift Mexico to a 2-1 win over their hated rivals, El Tri had finally gotten the best of the U.S. in Columbus, Ohio.
Juan Carlos Osorio deserves the bulk of the credit for this new Mexico. He’s known as “The Professor” because of the work he puts in studying the game and how prepared his teams are for matches. So while El Tri made a change as soon as the match started, going to a more conventional setup, they never looked confused or even unsure of what they were doing.
Tactically, they were rock solid and even when the U.S. came out in an unusual 3-5-2, Mexico weren’t fazed. They attacked the Americans just fine. Osorio prepared his team to perfection and the players were as assured as could be.
Moreover, Mexico looked comfortable, which no one really expected. El Tri teams of the past have looked overexcited at times against the U.S.
You can tell the atmosphere in Ohio wasn’t been so easier for Americans team, been uneasy under the pressure, right from the start, but Mexico looked calm. The players didn’t press or overexert themselves and that is huge benefits from start.
On the flip side was the U.S., who came out with a three-man back line then changed only a half-hour in after being overwhelmed. They were the ones who didn’t know exactly what they wanted to do. And their opening goal was made possible in part by Michael Bradley over-running the play as the Americans were the ones who pushed a little too hard.
Mexico still went into the 89th minute only level. And yes, it was an impressive performance that looked set to earn them a historic draw, but there was a corner kick to be taken and that’s where they finished the deal. Marquez scored on it, getting free and nodding the ball home for the winner.
After the match, Klinsmann said that John Brooks was supposed to be marking Marquez, while Brad Guzan pointed at both Brooks and Jozy Altidore following the goal, Bradley said it was a tactical miscommunication.
Mexico still had the most talented, skillful team on Friday, but that wasn’t all they were. And it’s why they didn’t get beat again. Because thanks to Osorio, they were calm and composed or maybe just more luck.
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