Mexico–United States soccer rivalry

Sports rivalry between the national soccer teams of Mexico and the United States

Mexico-United States soccer rivalry

United States vs. Mexico during the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification.

Teams|

* Mexico
* United States

First meeting| May 24, 1934
1934 World Cup qualification
United States 4–2 Mexico
Latest meeting| October 15, 2024
Friendly
Mexico 2–0 United States
Next meeting| TBD
Statistics
Meetings total| 78
All-time series| Mexico, 37–17–24
Largest victory| Mexico 7–2 United States
1958 World Cup qualification
April 28, 1957
Longest unbeaten streak| Mexico, 21
(1937–1980)
Current unbeaten streak| Mexico, 1
(2024–present)

The Mexico–United States soccer rivalry is a sports rivalry between the national association football teams of the two countries, widely considered the two major powers of CONCACAF. It began with the first match played in 1934. The teams have met 78 times, with Mexico leading the overall series 37-17–24 (W–D–L).

It is considered as one of the greatest rivalries in international soccer for its incidents involving fans, team brawls, and competitiveness, which is exemplified by political issues surrounding Mexico–U.S. relations.[1][2] 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 prominent matchups take place in quadrennial FIFA World Cup qualification matches and major North American tournaments such as the CONCACAF Gold Cup and CONCACAF Nations League. The rivalry also plays out with occasional friendly exhibition games, which media outlets often consider "anything but friendly".[3][4]

## History

[edit]

### Origin

[edit]

The first match between the two sides was a qualifying match in Italy for the final ticket to the 1934 FIFA World Cup. 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. In September 1937, Mexico began a winning streak over the U.S. in friendlies 7–2, 7–3, and 5–1 in Mexico City.

### 1940s–1980s: Mexico dominance

[edit]

Following that initial victory by the U.S. in 1934, Mexico went unbeaten in the next 24 games between the two nations, with 21 wins and three draws. The U.S. would not record its second victory over its southern neighbor until 46 years later in 1980, when they won a 1982 World Cup qualifier 2–1 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.[5] Overall, the first 50 years of the rivalry concluded with Mexico holding a commanding lead in the series, 22 wins to the United States' two, with three draws.

### 1990s: Mexico foothold and early U.S. emergence

[edit]

In 1990, the U.S. qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1950 and fourth time overall, thanks in part to the Cachirules scandal which caused Mexico to be banned from the qualification tournament. This decade saw the U.S. begin to field more competitive sides, challenging the dominance of Mexico for the first time since 1934. However, despite a few notable U.S. victories, such as a 2–0 triumph in the inaugural edition of the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 1991, and a 4–1 win on penalties following a 0–0 draw in the quarterfinals of the 1995 Copa America, Mexico still got the better of the U.S. in the '90s, with five wins to three, alongside six draws.

### 2000s–2014: U.S. advantage

[edit]

The first decade of the new millennium saw the United States turn the tides of the rivalry. In 2001, the U.S. and Mexico faced off in a 2002 World Cup qualifier at Columbus Crew Stadium, which saw the U.S. defeat their archrivals 2–0 in a match dubbed La Guerra Fria ("The Cold War") by Mexican media due to the sub-freezing temperatures it was contested in. The following year, the two nations would face off in the World Cup itself for the first, and so far only, time in their history in the Round of 16. Goals from Brian McBride and Landon Donovan gave the U.S. another 2–0 victory.

The United States would continue their dominance throughout the rest of the decade and into the first half of the next, with three more 2–0 victories in home World Cup qualifiers at Crew Stadium. The penchant for the U.S. to defeat Mexico by that particular score line led to U.S. fans taunting their rivals by chanting dos a cero ("two to zero"). Also within this time frame, the U.S. would defeat Mexico 2–1 in the 2007 Gold Cup final. Mexico would return the favor in the following final in 2009 with a 5–0 victory, albeit against a U.S. side which was not fielding its best players, and repeat the feat 2 years later with a 4–2 comeback victory against a full-strength U.S. team. The following year, the U.S. would defeat Mexico at the Estadio Azteca for the first time, winning a friendly match 1–0, and then during 2014 World Cup qualifying, the United States earned their second ever point in the Azteca by way of a 0–0 draw.

A low point in the rivalry for Mexico came in 2013, when, in the final match day of World Cup qualifying, Mexico found themselves on the brink of elimination. With El Tri trailing in their match against Costa Rica and Panama holding a 2–1 lead over the United States, Mexico had found themselves in 5th place and were minutes away from failing to qualify for the World Cup. However, in stoppage time, an equalizing goal from American Graham Zusi saved Mexico, vaulting them past Panama and into 4th place in the table, ensuring their qualification to the intercontinental playoff, where they would defeat New Zealand to qualify for the World Cup. The goal caused the Mexican commentator for TV Azteca to exclaim "God Bless America!" in English, and led to Zusi being dubbed San Zusi ("Saint Zusi") by Mexico fans.

Ultimately, from 2000 to 2014, the United States was dominant, with 12 wins to Mexico's five, together with five draws.

### 2015–2019: Mexico back on top

[edit]

Following the 2014 World Cup, Mexico regained its footing in the rivalry, starting with a 3–2 extra time victory in the 2015 CONCACAF Cup. In 2018 World Cup qualifying, Mexico finally broke the Dos A Cero streak with a 2–1 win, their first triumph over the U.S. in Crew Stadium. Ultimately, the second half of the 2010s would mark the lowest point of the rivalry for the United States since the 1990s, as they would fail to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. Then, the following year, Mexico would defeat the United States 1–0 in the 2019 Gold Cup Final, then humiliate the Americans 3–0 in their own home in a September friendly, which was Mexico's most lopsided victory over their rivals since 2009.

Overall, the second half of the 2010s saw Mexico win four times and the United States win two times, along with one draw.

### 2021–present: U.S. golden generation's dominance

[edit]

Following the United States' failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup and the two 2019 defeats, the U.S. revamped their lineup, fielding a roster composed of younger players competing in top European leagues. This saw the tide turn once again in their favor, starting in 2021 with the inaugural CONCACAF Nations League final, one of the most thrilling matches in the rivalry's history, which the U.S. won 3–2 after extra time. Then, 2 months later in the Gold Cup final, the US, despite fielding a weaker roster compared to Mexico, who brought most of their first choice players, once again defeated their archrivals in extra time, this time by a 1–0 score line. Finally, in November, the U.S. defeated Mexico yet again in a 2022 World Cup qualifier at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati by the infamous Dos A Cero score, marking the first 3-game winning streak by the U.S. over Mexico in their history.

At the 2023 CONCACAF Nations League Finals, the United States eliminated Mexico in a resounding 3–0 victory at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas where the game had 4 red cards and 10 yellow cards for violent behavior on both sides, including Weston McKennie having his shirt ripped off by Mexican players. The match was called eight minutes into what were supposed to be 12 minutes of stoppage time amid homophobic chanting by Mexican fans; CONCACAF officially said the match was ended at the referee's discretion.[6][7] In the following year in the 2024 CONCACAF Nations League final, the U.S. defeated Mexico 2–0 to clinch the title again.

On 15 October 2024, Mexico finally put an end to their loosing streak and defeated the U.S. 2-0 in a friendly at Estadio Akron.

## Results

[edit]

### Summary

[edit]

Mexico leads the series overall 37–17–24, with 147 goals for Mexico and 92 for the United States. In the 21st century the U.S. leads the series 19–8–10, with 50 goals opposed to Mexico's 35.

Years | Matches | For Mexico | Draw | For the U.S. | Goals

|
|
|
|
|

All Time | 78 | 37 | 17 | 24 | Mexico 147–92 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 | 14 | 5 | 6 | 3 | Mexico 17–15 United States
2000s | 16 | 4 | 2 | 10 | Mexico 13–23 United States
2010s | 13 | 5 | 4 | 4 | Mexico 17–15 United States
2020s | 8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | Mexico 5–12 United States
Main Championship Titles | Mexico | United States

|
|

FIFA Confederations Cup* |

CONCACAF Gold Cup |

CONCACAF Nations League |

CONCACAF Championship*  |

CONCACAF Cup* |

*no longer played

### Tournament: FIFA World Cup

[edit]

FIFA World Cup - round 16 match  Tournament  | Winner  | Final Score  | Loser

|
|
|

2002 |
United States | 2–0 |
Mexico

### Tournament: Gold Cup

[edit]

The United States and Mexico have met in seven Gold Cup finals to date, with Mexico holding a five games to two lead over the United States.[5]

CONCACAF Gold Cup finals  Tournament  | Winner  | Final Score  | Loser

|
|
|

1993 |
Mexico | 4–0 |
United States
1998 |
Mexico | 1–0 |
United States
2007 |
United States | 2–1 |
Mexico
2009 |
Mexico | 5–0 |
United States
2011 |
Mexico | 4–2 |
United States
2019 |
Mexico | 1–0 |
United States
2021 |
United States | 1–0 (a.e.t.) |
Mexico

### Tournament: Nations League finals

[edit]

CONCACAF Nations League Finals  Tournament  | Winner  | Final Score  | Loser

|
|
|

2021 |
United States | 3–2 (a.e.t.) |
Mexico
2024 |
United States | 2–0 |
Mexico

### Tournament: CONCACAF Cup

[edit]

CONCACAF Cup  Tournament  | Winner  | Final Score  | Loser

|
|
|

2015 |
Mexico | 3–2 (a.e.t.) |
United States

### List of matches

[edit]

Matches marked in bold are final matches played for a title.

Mexico win

United States win
(Ties)
Date  | Venue and city  | Competition  | Score  | Att. | Series
(W-D-L)

|
|
|
|
|

May 24, 1934 | Stadio Nazionale, Rome, Italy  | 1934 FIFA World Cup qualifier |

4–2

| 10,000  | 1–0 USA
September 12, 1937 | Parque Asturias, Mexico City, D.F. | Friendly |

7–2

| 21,000  | 1–0–1
September 19, 1937 | Parque Necaxa, Mexico City, D.F.  |

7–3

| 22,000  | 2–0–1 MEX
September 26, 1937 |

5–1

|  | 3–0–1 MEX
July 13, 1947 | Estadio Tropical, Havana, Cuba  | 1947 NAFC Championship |

5–0

| 5,400  | 4–0–1 MEX
September 4, 1949 | Estadio de los Deportes, Mexico City, D.F.  | 1949 NAFC Championship[n 1] |

6–0

| 60,000  | 5–0–1 MEX
September 18, 1949 |

6–2

| 54,500  | 6–0–1 MEX
January 10, 1954 | 1954 FIFA World Cup qualifier |

4–0

| 60,000  | 7–0–1 MEX
January 14, 1954 |

3–1

| 40,000  | 8–0–1 MEX
April 7, 1957 | Estadio Olímpico Universitario, Mexico City, D.F.  | 1958 FIFA World Cup qualifier |

6–0

| 75,000  | 9–0–1 MEX
April 28, 1957 | Veterans Memorial Stadium, Long Beach, California |

7–2

| 12,500  | 10–0–1 MEX
November 3, 1960 | Wrigley Field, Los Angeles, California  | 1962 FIFA World Cup qualifier |

3–3

| 8,000  | 10–1–1 MEX
November 6, 1960 | Estadio Olímpico Universitario, Mexico City, D.F.  |

3–0

| 80,000  | 11–1–1 MEX
March 7, 1965 | Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California  | 1966 FIFA World Cup qualifier |

2–2

| 19,337  | 11–2–1 MEX
March 12, 1965 | Estadio Olímpico Universitario, Mexico City, D.F.  |

2–0

| 64,285  | 12–2–1 MEX
September 3, 1972 | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, D.F.  | 1974 FIFA World Cup qualifier |

3–1

| 29,891  | 13–2–1 MEX
September 10, 1972 | Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California  |

2–1

| 9,620  | 14–2–1 MEX
October 16, 1973 | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, D.F.  | Friendly  |

2–0

| 14,000  | 15–2–1 MEX
September 5, 1974 | Estadio Universitario, San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León |

3–1

| 25,000  | 16–2–1 MEX
September 8, 1974 | Cotton Bowl, Dallas, Texas  |

1–0

| 22,164  | 17–2–1 MEX
August 24, 1975 | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, D.F.  |

2–0

|  | 18–2–1 MEX
October 3, 1976 | Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California  | 1978 FIFA World Cup qualifier |

0–0

| 31,171  | 18–3–1 MEX
October 15, 1976 | Estadio Cuauhtémoc, Puebla, Puebla |

3–0

| 35,000  | 19–3–1 MEX
September 27, 1977 | Estadio Universitario, San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León  | Friendly  |

3–0

| 20,000  | 20–3–1 MEX
November 9, 1980 | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, D.F.  | 1982 FIFA World Cup qualifier |

5–1

| 90,000  | 21–3–1 MEX
November 23, 1980 | Lockhart Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida |

2–1

| 2,126  | 21–3–2 MEX
October 17, 1984 | Estadio Neza 86, Ciudad Nezahualcóyotl, Estado de México | Friendly  |

2–1

|  | 22–3–2 MEX
March 12, 1991 | Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California  | 1991 North American Nations Cup |

2–2

| 6,261  | 22–4–2 MEX
July 5, 1991 | 1991 CONCACAF Gold Cup semi-final |

2–0

| 41,103  | 22–4–3 MEX
July 25, 1993 | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, D.F.  | 1993 CONCACAF Gold Cup final |

4–0

| 120,000  | 23–4–3 MEX
October 13, 1993 | RFK Stadium, Washington, D.C.  | Friendly  |

1–1

| 23,927  | 23–5–3 MEX
June 4, 1994 | Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California  |

1–0

| 91,123  | 23–5–4 MEX
June 18, 1995 | RFK Stadium, Washington, D.C.  | 1995 U.S. Cup |

4–0

| 38,615  | 23–5–5 MEX
July 17, 1995 | Estadio Parque Artigas, Paysandú, Uruguay  | 1995 Copa América quarterfinal |

0–0 (4–1 p)

| 15,000  | 23–6–5 MEX[a]
June 16, 1996 | Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California  | 1996 U.S. Cup |

2–2

| 92,216  | 23–7–5 MEX
January 19, 1997 | 1997 U.S. Cup |

2–0

| 31,725  | 24–7–5 MEX
April 20, 1997 | Foxboro Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts | 1998 FIFA World Cup qualifier |

2–2

| 57,877  | 24–8–5 MEX
November 2, 1997 | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, D.F.  |

0–0

| 115,000  | 24–9–5 MEX
February 15, 1998 | Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California  | 1998 CONCACAF Gold Cup final |

1–0

| 91,255  | 25–9–5 MEX
March 13, 1999 | Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California  | 1999 U.S. Cup |

2–1

| 50,234  | 26–9–5 MEX
August 1, 1999 | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, D.F.  | 1999 Confederations Cup semi-final |

1–0 (aet)

| 65,000  | 27–9–5 MEX
June 11, 2000 | Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey | 2000 U.S. Cup |

3–0

| 45,008  | 27–9–6 MEX
October 25, 2000 | Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California  | Friendly  |

2–0

| 61,072  | 27–9–7 MEX
February 28, 2001 | Columbus Crew Stadium, Columbus, Ohio | 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifier |

2–0

| 24,329  | 27–9–8 MEX
July 1, 2001 | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, D.F.  |

1–0

| 110,000  | 28–9–8 MEX
April 3, 2002 | Invesco Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado  | Friendly  |

1–0

| 48,476  | 28–9–9 MEX
June 17, 2002 | Jeonju World Cup Stadium, Jeonju, South Korea  | 2002 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 |

2–0

| 36,380  | 28–9–10 MEX
May 8, 2003 | Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas  | Friendly  |

0–0

| 69,582  | 28–10–10 MEX
April 28, 2004 | Cotton Bowl, Dallas, Texas | Friendly  |

1–0

| 45,048  | 28–10–11 MEX
March 27, 2005 | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, D.F.  | 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifier |

2–1

| 110,000  | 29–10–11 MEX
September 3, 2005 | Columbus Crew Stadium, Columbus, Ohio  |

2–0

| 24,685  | 29–10–12 MEX
February 7, 2007 | University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona | Friendly |

2–0

| 62,462  | 29–10–13 MEX
June 24, 2007 | Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois | 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup final |

2–1

| 60,000  | 29–10–14 MEX
February 6, 2008 | Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas  | Friendly  |

2–2

| 70,103  | 29–11–14 MEX
February 11, 2009 | Columbus Crew Stadium, Columbus, Ohio  | 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier |

2–0

| 23,776  | 29–11–15 MEX
July 26, 2009 | Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey  | 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup final |

5–0

| 79,156  | 30–11–15 MEX
August 12, 2009 | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, D.F.  | 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier |

2–1

| 110,000  | 31–11–15 MEX
June 25, 2011 | Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California  | 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup final |

4–2

| 93,420  | 32–11–15 MEX
August 10, 2011 | Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania  | Friendly  |

1–1

| 30,138  | 32–12–15 MEX
August 15, 2012 | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, D.F.  |

1–0

| 56,000  | 32–12–16 MEX
March 26, 2013 | 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier |

0–0

| 85,500  | 32–13–16 MEX
September 10, 2013 | Columbus Crew Stadium, Columbus, Ohio  |

2–0

| 24,584  | 32–13–17 MEX
April 2, 2014 | University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona  | Friendly  |

2–2

| 59,066  | 32–14–17 MEX
April 15, 2015 | Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas  |

2–0

| 64,369  | 32–14–18 MEX
October 10, 2015 | Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California  | CONCACAF Cup |

3–2 (aet)

| 93,420  | 33–14–18 MEX
November 11, 2016 | Mapfre Stadium, Columbus, Ohio  | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier |

2–1

| 24,650  | 34–14–18 MEX
June 11, 2017 | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, D.F.  |

1–1

| 71,537  | 34–15–18 MEX
September 11, 2018 | Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee | Friendly  |

1–0

| 40,194  | 34–15–19 MEX
July 7, 2019 | Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois  | 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup final |

1–0

| 62,493  | 35–15–19 MEX
September 6, 2019 | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey  | Friendly  |

3–0

| 47,960  | 36–15–19 MEX
June 6, 2021 | Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado  | 2021 CONCACAF Nations League final |

3–2 (a.e.t.)

| 37,648  | 36–15–20 MEX
August 1, 2021 | Allegiant Stadium, Paradise, Nevada | 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup final |

1–0 (a.e.t.)

| 61,514  | 36–15–21 MEX
November 12, 2021 | TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio[8] | 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier |

2–0

| 26,000  | 36–15–22 MEX
March 24, 2022 | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, D.F.  |

0–0

| 47,000  | 36–16–22 MEX
April 19, 2023 | State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona  | Friendly  |

1–1

| 55,730  | 36–17–22 MEX
June 15, 2023 | Allegiant Stadium, Paradise, Nevada  | 2023 CONCACAF Nations League semi-final |

3–0

| 65,000  | 36–17–23 MEX
March 24, 2024 | AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas  | 2024 CONCACAF Nations League final |

2–0

| 59,471  | 36–17–24 MEX
October 15, 2024 | Estadio Akron, Zapopan, Jalisco | Friendly  |

2–0

| 43,537  | 37–17–24 MEX

### Results by location

[edit]

Country  | Games  | Mexico victories  | U.S. victories  | Draws

|
|
|
|

United States | 45  | 12  | 21  | 12
Mexico | 29  | 24  | 1  | 4
Cuba | 1  | 1  | 0  | 0
Italy | 1  | 0  | 1  | 0
South Korea | 1  | 0  | 1  | 0
Uruguay | 1  | 0  | 1  | 0

Results by U.S. State

State  | Games  | Mexico victories  | U.S. victories  | Draws

|
|
|
|

California | 15  | 7  | 3  | 5
Texas | 6  | 1  | 3  | 2
Ohio | 6  | 1  | 5  | 0
Arizona | 3  | 0  | 1  | 2
New Jersey | 3  | 2  | 1  | 0
Washington, D.C. | 2  | 0  | 1  | 1
Colorado | 2  | 0  | 2  | 0
Illinois | 2  | 1  | 1  | 0
Nevada | 2  | 0  | 2  | 0
Florida | 1  | 0  | 1  | 0
Massachusetts | 1  | 0  | 0  | 1
Pennsylvania | 1  | 0  | 0  | 1
Tennessee | 1  | 0  | 1  | 0

## Player eligibility

[edit]

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 or vice versa) to play for their particular national team. As of October 19th, 2024, five players; Martín Vásquez, Edgar Castillo, Julián Araujo, Jonathan Gómez and Alejandro Zendejas have played senior level matches for both nations.

Other cases include William Yarbrough, Isaác Brizuela, Miguel Ponce, Jonathan González, Efraín Álvarez, David Ochoa, Julián Araujo, and most recently Obed Vargas, who was capped by Mexico and became the first Alaskan to ever play for a senior national team.

* Ruben Mendoza – born March 2, 1931, in St. Louis, Missouri to Mexican parents, was a dominant player in the St. Louis leagues during the 1950s and 1960s. He earned four caps with the U.S. national team and was a member of the 1952, 1956 and 1960 U.S. Olympic teams.
* Gerardo Mascareño – born July 4, 1970, in Silver Spring, Maryland began his professional career with the Los Angeles Lazers of the MISL in 1988. Later builds a career Mexico in the early 1990s where he plays for both of Guadalajara's top clubs and bitter rivals (Atlas and Guadalajara), this move stirred controversy as it was revealed that Mascareño himself was not born on Mexican soil. On October 23, 1996, Mascareño makes his sole appearance with the Mexico national team in a friendly match against Ecuador, losing the match 1–0.
* William Yarbrough – born March 20, 1989, in Aguascalientes, Mexico to American parents, has an extensive career with Liga MX club León. Yarbrough did participate with a Mexico U20 squad in 2007 but did not obtain any playing minutes. In March 2015 he appears for the U.S. team in a friendly against Switzerland.
* Isaác Brizuela – born August 28, 1990, in San Jose, California to Mexican parents. Brizuela has made an entire career with Liga MX clubs Toluca, Atlas and Guadalajara. He was part of the Mexican delegation that obtained the gold medal in the 2011 Pan American Games. He makes his full appearance with Mexico in 2013.
* Miguel Ponce – born April 12, 1989, in Sacramento holds an extensive career with Liga MX clubs Guadalajara, Toluca and Necaxa. Ponce was part of the Mexico squads that took part in the 2011 Copa América, obtained gold medals at the 2011 Pan American Games and the 2012 Olympic Games. Makes his full appearance scoring one goal at the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
* Jonathan González – born April 13, 1999, in Santa Rosa to Mexican parents. A product of the U.S. national team youth program, González was part of the U.S. U20 squad that won the 2017 CONCACAF U-20 Championship. In 2014 he enters Liga MX club Monterrey's juvenile program and is eventually promoted to the senior squad in July 2017. In December 2017 González publicly states his wish to represent Mexico on the official scale. In January 2018 FIFA granted his request and he made his full appearance with Mexico on January 31 in a friendly match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. González has also been involved in Mexico's youth squad projects such as the 2018 Toulon Tournament in which Mexico's U20 ended as runners-up of the tournament.
* Efraín Álvarez – born June 19, 2002, in Los Angeles, California to Mexican parents, Álvarez, a product of the LA Galaxy youth reserve made his first team debut appearance with the Galaxy in March 2019. In 2015 Álvarez made appearances with the United States U15 squad leaving a good impression on the youth level scene. However, a snubbing in part of US Soccer in 2016 made Álvarez reconsider on whether to continue in the US youth development program or move to Mexico. During the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup he scored 4 goals for the Mexico U17 squad which earned him good press reviews. In November 2020, he was called up for a senior U.S. national team training camp session prior to a friendly match against El Salvador which was to take place on December 9. However, he did not receive any playing minutes as his FIFA clearance eligibility had not been met. In March 2021, he was listed on both the U.S. and Mexican Olympic team preliminary rosters but his clearance situation was still undetermined. Finally in March 2021, Álvarez accepts call-ups to the Mexico national squad making his debut appearance on March 30 in a friendly match against Costa Rica. On July 10, 2021, Efraín Álvarez became officially cap-tied to the Mexico national team due to having relieved an injured Hirving Lozano early on against Trinidad and Tobago in the opening match of the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
* David Ochoa – born January 16, 2001, in Oxnard, California to Mexican parents, plays with MLS side D.C. United since 2022. Ochoa had recently represented the USMNT's U17, U18 and U23 youth levels and was even part of the senior USMNT as the third choice goalkeeper during the 2021 CONCACAF Nations League Finals. Shortly after the Nations League final it was reported that Ochoa spent time training with the Mexico national team ahead of the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup as he did not receive any playing minutes with the USMNT during the Nations League. In August 2021, Ochoa files a one-time switch to FIFA to join the Mexico national team.
* Julian Araujo – born August 13, 2001, in Lompoc, California, Araujo had already represented various USMNT youth level squads and even appeared in one friendly match with the senior USMNT in December 2020 against El Salvador. In August 2021, Araujo had requested a one-time switch to FIFA to join the Mexico national team. FIFA authorized the transfer in early October 2021.

## Coaches

[edit]

Only one head coach has coached both national teams; Bora Milutinović, who coached Mexico first from 1983 to 1986, playing host to that year's World Cup and a second time from 1995 to 1997. With the United States, Milutinović coached the Stars and Stripes from 1991 to 1995, again playing host in the 1994 FIFA World Cup.

## Incidents

[edit]

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.[9] 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 attacks that occurred three years prior.[10]

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.[11]

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.[12] Hejduk did not retaliate, and Ramirez was not reprimanded.

On June 6, 2021, in the first CONCACAF Nations League final at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, the game between the two rivals was marred by several incidents of overly physical play and team brawls. In extra-time after Christian Pulisic scored a game-winning penalty to make it 3–2, Pulisic shushed the Mexican crowd in his celebration, which caused them to throw projectiles on the field injuring U.S. player Gio Reyna.

In the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier on November 12, 2021, Mexican player Luis Rodríguez violently fouled U.S. player Brenden Aaronson and clawed his eyes, receiving only a yellow to the dismay of the U.S. side. The U.S. would win the game 2–0.[13]

On June 15, 2023, at the semi-final game between the U.S. and Mexico during the 2023 CONCACAF Nations League finals, the game was seen as a rematch of the previous 2021 Nations League matchup and resulted in a U.S. 3–0 victory. The game ultimately had 4 red cards and 10 yellow cards for violent behavior on both sides, including Weston McKennie having his shirt ripped off by Mexican players. Several off-field incidents occurred involving Mexican fans, including thrown projectiles on the field and homophobic chanting which the match was called eight minutes into what were supposed to be 12; CONCACAF officially said the match was ended at the referee's discretion.[6][7]

## Women's soccer

[edit]

The two countries also have a rivalry between their women's teams, though the United States has won most matchups.

On January 28, 2018, the Mexican U-20 squad defeated the United States' team in the finals of the 2018 CONCACAF Women's U-20 Championship. After a 1–1 draw in the first 90 minutes, Mexico won the match on penalty kicks, scoring 4 against the U.S. total of 2. It was the third time the CONCACAF U-20 Championship featured U.S. and Mexico in the final game, and the first time that Mexico won.[14]

### Summary

[edit]

The United States leads the series 41–1–2, outscoring Mexico 173–17.

### List of matches

[edit]

Mexico win

United States win
(Ties)
Date  | Venue and city  | Competition  | Score  | Att. | Series
(W-D-L)

|
|
|
|
|

April 18, 1991  | Stade Sylvio Cator, Port-au-Prince, Haiti  | 1991 Concacaf Championship |

12–0

| 40,000  | 1–0–0 USA
August 13, 1994  | Complexe sportif Claude-Robillard, Montreal, Quebec | 1994 Concacaf Championship |

9–0

| 1,821  | 2–0–0 USA
September 12, 1998  | Foxboro Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts  | Friendly  |

9–0

| 35,462  | 3–0–0 USA
March 28, 1999  | Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California  |

3–0

| 21,000  | 4–0–0 USA
May 5, 2000  | Providence Park, Portland, Oregon  |

8–0

| 6,517  | 5–0–0 USA
December 10, 2000  | Robertson Stadium, Houston, Texas  |

3–2

| 11,121  | 6–0–0 USA
January 12, 2002  | Blackbaud Stadium, Charleston, South Carolina  |

7–0

| 5,634  | 7–0–0 USA
October 27, 2002  | Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California  | 2002 Gold Cup |

3–0

| 5,568  | 8–0–0 USA
September 7, 2003  | Spartan Stadium, San Jose, California  | Friendly  |

5–0

| 13,510  | 9–0–0 USA
November 3, 2003  | Cotton Bowl, Dallas, Texas  | Friendly  |

3–1

| 23,176  | 10–0–0 USA
February 29, 2004  | Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica, San Jose, Costa Rica  | 2004 Olympic Qualifying |

2–0

| 3,000  | 11–0–0 USA
March 5, 2004  | Estadio Eladio Rosabal Cordero, Heredia, Costa Rica  |

3–2

| 2,500  | 12–0–0 USA
May 9, 2004  | University Stadium, Albuquerque, New Mexico  | Friendly  |

3–0

| 17,805  | 13–0–0 USA
October 16, 2004  | Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri  |

1–0

| 20,435  | 14–0–0 USA
December 8, 2004  | Home Depot Center, Carson, California  |

5–0

| 15,549  | 15–0–0 USA
October 23, 2005  | Blackbaud Stadium, Charleston, South Carolina  |

3–0

| 4,261  | 16–0–0 USA
September 13, 2006  | PAETEC Park, Rochester, New York  |

3–1

| 6,784  | 17–0–0 USA
November 22, 2006  | Home Depot Center, Carson, California  | 2006 Gold Cup |

2–0

| 6,128  | 18–0–0 USA
April 14, 2007  | Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts  | Friendly  |

5–0

| 18,184  | 19–0–0 USA
October 13, 2007  | Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri |

5–1

| 10,861  | 20–0–0 USA
October 17, 2007  | Providence Park, Portland, Oregon  |

4–0

| 10,006  | 21–0–0 USA
October 20, 2007  | University Stadium, Albuquerque, New Mexico  | 1–1  | 8,972  | 21–1–0 USA
April 6, 2008  | Estadio Olimpico Benito Juarez, Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua | 2008 Olympic Qualifying |

3–1

| 5,083  | 22–1–0 USA
March 28, 2010  | Torero Stadium, San Diego, California  | Friendly  |

3–0

| 3,069  | 23–1–0 USA
March 31, 2010  | Rio Tinto Stadium, Sandy, Utah  |

1–0

| 3,732  | 24–1–0 USA
November 5, 2010  | Estadio de Béisbol Beto Ávila, Cancún, Quintana Roo | 2010 World Cup Qualifying |

2–1

| 8,374  | 24–1–1 USA
June 5, 2011  | Red Bull Arena, Harrison, New Jersey  | Friendly  |

1–0

| 5,852  | 25–1–1 USA
January 24, 2012  | BC Place, Vancouver, British Columbia | 2012 Olympic Qualifying |

4–0

| 7,599  | 26–1–1 USA
September 3, 2013  | RFK Stadium, Washington, DC | Friendly  |

7–0

| 12,594  | 27–1–1 USA
September 13, 2014  | Rio Tinto Stadium, Sandy, Utah  |

8–0

| 8,849  | 28–1–1 USA
September 18, 2014  | Sahlen's Stadium, Rochester, New York  |

4–0

| 5,680  | 29–1–1 USA
October 24, 2014  | PPL Park, Chester, Pennsylvania  | 2014 Concacaf Championship |

3–0

| 8,773  | 30–1–1 USA
May 17, 2015  | StubHub Center, Carson, California  | Friendly  |

5–1

| 27,000  | 31–1–1 USA
February 13, 2016  | Toyota Stadium, Frisco, Texas  | 2016 Olympic Qualifying |

1–0

| 15,032  | 32–1–1 USA
April 5, 2018  | EverBank Field, Jacksonville, Florida  | Friendly  |

4–1

| 14,360  | 33–1–1 USA
April 8, 2018  | BBVA Stadium, Houston, Texas  |

6–2

| 15,349  | 34–1–1 USA
October 4, 2018  | Sahlen's Stadium, Cary, North Carolina  | 2018 Concacaf Championship |

6–0

| 5,404  | 35–1–1 USA
May 26, 2019  | Red Bull Arena, Harrison, New Jersey  | Friendly  |

3–0

| 26,332  | 36–1–1 USA
February 7, 2020  | Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, California  | 2020 Olympic Qualifying  |

4–0

| 11,292  | 37–1–1 USA
July 1, 2021  | Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field, East Hartford, Connecticut | Friendly  |

4–0

| 21,637  | 38–1–1 USA
July 5, 2021  |

4–0

| 27,758  | 39–1–1 USA
July 11, 2022  | Estadio Universitario, San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León | 2022 CONCACAF W Championship |

1–0

| 20,522  | 40–1–1 USA
February 26, 2024  | Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, California  | 2024 CONCACAF W Gold Cup |

2–0

| 11,612  | 40–1–2 USA
July 13, 2024  | Red Bull Arena, Harrison, New Jersey  | Friendly  |

1–0

| 26,376  | 41–1–2 USA

## In popular culture

[edit]

A 2012 documentary, Gringos at the Gate / Ahi Vienen Los Gringos, written and directed by Pablo Miralles, Roberto Donati, and Michael Whalen,[15] 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.[16]

The three-part documentary series Good Rivals, originally titled Good Neighbors, focused on the rivalry and featured interviews from past players and coaches. It was released in 2022 on Amazon Prime Video.[17]

## See also

[edit]

* Hexagonal (CONCACAF)

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ Matches that go to penalty shootouts are always counted as ties by FIFA, regardless of which team won.

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

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Top 10: International football rivalries". ESPN.com. October 7, 2015. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
2. ^ "Top 10 international rivalries - CNN.com". edition.cnn.com. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
3. ^ "U.S.-Mexico soccer exhibition will be anything but friendly Wednesday night". Dallas News. April 18, 2023. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
4. ^ FALLAS, BERNARDO (February 6, 2008). "Mexico-U.S. soccer match anything but friendly". Chron. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
5. ^ a b Bonn, Kyle (June 24, 2023). "USA vs Mexico history head to head in men's soccer: H2H results and finals between USMNT and El Tri". The Sporting News. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
6. ^ a b "USMNT vs Mexico, summary: Game suspended, red card, score, goals & highlights | Concacaf Nations League". Diario AS. June 16, 2023. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
7. ^ a b Cesar Hernandez (June 15, 2023). "Referee ends USMNT rout over Mexico early amid anti-gay chants". ESPN. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
8. ^ "U.S. Soccer Selects Cincinnati as Host for USA-Mexico, Presented by Allstate, for November World Cup Qualifier". www.ussoccer.com. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
9. ^ "EU – México | Donovan orinó la cancha del Jalisco". Es.rec.deportes.futbol.narkive.com. February 11, 2004. Retrieved July 29, 2015.
10. ^ Whiteside, Kelly (February 12, 2004). "USATODAY.com – Notebook: Mexicans' behavior part of the game". Usatoday30.usatoday.com. Retrieved July 29, 2015.
11. ^ "USA v Mexico 2/7/07". YouTube. Retrieved July 29, 2015.
12. ^ "Frankie Hejduk Gets Slapped By a Mexican Coach". Bleacher Report. February 13, 2009. Retrieved July 29, 2015.
13. ^ "After the latest Dos Á Cero, it's time to be excited about the USMNT again". Deadspin. November 13, 2021. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
14. ^ "USA falls to Mexico in PKs in CONCACAF Women's U-20 title match". soccerwire.com. January 29, 2018. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
15. ^ "Gringos at the Gate (2012)". IMDb.com. Retrieved July 29, 2015.
16. ^ [1] Archived November 1, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
17. ^ White, Peter (August 11, 2022). "Soccer Docuseries About Rivalry Between Mexico & America Kicks Off At Amazon". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 15, 2023.

## External links

[edit]

* Archive of U.S. national team results 1885–1979
* Archive of U.S. national team results 1980–
* Gringos at the Gate Documentary film about the U.S. and Mexico football rivalry

* v
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Mexico national football team

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Mexico–United States relations

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Incidents|

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Military relations|

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Related|

* Mexico–United States border
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