Mexico–United States soccer rivalry
| Locale | North America (CONCACAF) |
|---|---|
| Teams |
 Mexico  USA |
| First meeting |
May 24, 1934 Stadio Nazionale .svg.png){kind=small} Rome, Italy(MEX 2–4 USA) |
| Latest meeting |
October 10, 2015 Rose Bowl Pasadena, California, USA(USA 2–3 MEX, a.e.t) |
| Statistics | |
| Meetings total | 66 |
| Most wins |
Mexico (34) |
| All-time series | 34–19–13 (Mexico) |
| Largest victory |
August 25, 1975 (MEX 8–0 USA) |
A sports rivalry exists between the national soccer teams of Mexico and the United States, widely considered the two major powers of CONCACAF. Matches between the two nations often attract much media attention, public interest and comment in both countries. The first match was played in 1934, and the teams have met 65 times, with Mexico leading the overall series 33–18–14 (W–L–D), outscoring the U.S. 131–75. However, since the 1990s, tides began to change due to a rapid growth of soccer in the United States. During this decade, Mexico continued to hold an edge over their arch-rivals but since the 2000s the series has favored the U.S. 13–6–5 (W–L–D).
History
Origin
The first match between the two sides was a qualifying match in Italy for the final ticket to the 1934 World Cup. Where soccer was seen as a foreign sport in the United States, in Mexico, like many Latin American nations, it was embraced from the start as part of their culture. 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. Three years later, Mexico began a winning streak over the U.S. in friendlies 7–2, 7–3, and 5–1 in Mexico City.
Recent years
The rivalry continues to play out most often in annual friendlies, usually scheduled during the early months in U.S. cities with large Mexican American populations such as Los Angeles, Houston, Phoenix, and Chicago. The most important matchups take place in quadrennial World Cup qualification matches and major tournaments such as the CONCACAF Gold Cup and Copa América.
On a global scale, Mexico leads the series 33–19, with almost the double of goals to the US (131–75). On neutral territory, the United States leads the series 3–2. In addition, the lone World Cup finals match between the two countries, a knockout, Round of 16 meeting at the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Jeonju, South Korea, resulted in a 2–0 victory for the United States.
Prior to 2012, Mexico had never lost to the United States at home and now owns a 23–1–2 (W–L–T) record on their native soil. Mexico has won in the United States seven times, compiling a record of 7–13–9 (W–L–T). The overall Mexican record in the U.S., however, does not reflect the current competitive nature of the series. Since their 1999 win in the U.S. Cup, Mexico has been 2–9–3 on U.S. soil.
To date, only two players, Martin Vasquez and Edgar Castillo have played for both nations. Castillo, who was born in Las Cruces, New Mexico, debuted with the Mexican side in August 2007 under then manager Hugo Sánchez of which whom was also part of the 2008 CONCACAF Men Pre-Olympic Tournament. Castillo played his first game for the United States, a friendly against Denmark in 2009.
In the 21st century, the rivalry added a new chapter with the nickname Dos a Cero (2–0) to U.S. fans. Starting in 2001 during the qualifying cycle for the 2002 World Cup, the U.S. hosted Mexico in Columbus, Ohio at the Columbus Crew Stadium. The first meeting between Mexico and the United States ended in a 2–0 win for the U.S. Following the victory, the U.S. hosted Mexico at Crew Stadium again in 2005, 2009, and 2013 for World Cup Qualifiers (2006, 2010, and 2014 qualifying cycles). Each time these teams met in Columbus, the U.S. has come out with a 2–0 win. Following the September 10, 2013 game the U.S. clinched a World Cup berth following a Panama-Honduras 2–2 draw. Their meeting in the round of 16 of the 2002 World Cup also ended in a U.S. win by the same score.[1]
Incidents
Prior to an Olympic qualifying game in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, on February 10, 2004, former U.S. player Landon Donovan reportedly urinated on the pitch during practice, according to Mexican media, which angered Mexican fans and media outlets.[2] 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, 2001 terrorist attacks.[3]
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 Sanchez tried to trip former U.S. player Eddie Johnson as Johnson was running to celebrate the goal with Donovan. No contact was made, and no reprimand resulted.[4]
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, Frankie Hejduk was involved in an altercation with Mexican assistant coach Francisco "Paco" Javier Ramírez, who slapped Hejduk in the tunnels as both teams headed to the locker room.[5] Hejduk did not retaliate, and Ramirez was not reprimanded.
Games
| Date | Location | Competition | Result | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 24, 1934 | Stadio Nazionale, Rome, Italy |
1934 FIFA World Cup Qualifier |  4–2 |
10,000 |
| Sep 12, 1937 | .svg.png){kind=small} Parque Asturias, Mexico City, D.F. |
Friendly | 7–2 |
21,000 |
| Sep 19, 1937 | Parque Necaxa, Mexico City, D.F. |
Friendly | 7–3 |
22,000 |
| Sep 26, 1937 | Parque España, Mexico City, D.F. |
Friendly | 5–1 |
|
| Jul 13, 1947 |  Estadio Tropical, Havana, Cuba |
1947 NAFC Championship | 5–0 |
|
| Sep 4, 1949 | Estadio de los Deportes, Mexico City, D.F. |
1949 NAFC Championship[n 1] | 6–0 |
60,000 |
| Sep 18, 1949 | Estadio de los Deportes, Mexico City, D.F. |
1949 NAFC Championship[n 1] | 6–2 |
54,500 |
| Jan 10, 1954 | Estadio de los Deportes, Mexico City, D.F. |
1954 FIFA World Cup qualifier | 4–0 |
60,000 |
| Jan. 14, 1954 | Estadio de los Deportes, Mexico City, D.F. |
1954 FIFA World Cup qualifier | 3–1 |
40,000 |
| Apr 7, 1957 | Estadio Olímpico Universitario, Mexico City, D.F. |
1958 FIFA World Cup qualifier | 6–0 |
75,000 |
| Apr 28, 1957 | Veterans Memorial Stadium, Long Beach, California, California |
1958 FIFA World Cup qualifier | 7–2 |
12,500 |
| Nov 6, 1960 | Wrigley Field, Los Angeles, California |
1962 FIFA World Cup qualifier | 3–3 | 8,000 |
| Nov 13, 1960 | Estadio Olímpico Universitario, Mexico City, D.F. |
1962 FIFA World Cup qualifier | 3–0 |
80,000 |
| Mar 7, 1965 | Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California |
1966 FIFA World Cup qualifier | 2–2 | 19,337 |
| Mar 12, 1965 | Estadio Olímpico Universitario, Mexico City, D.F. |
1966 FIFA World Cup qualifier | 2–0 |
64,285 |
| Sep 3, 1972 | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, D.F. |
1974 FIFA World Cup qualifier | 3–1 |
29,891 |
| Sep 10, 1972 | Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California |
1974 FIFA World Cup qualifier | 2–1 |
9,620 |
| Oct 16, 1973 | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, D.F. |
Friendly | 2–0 |
14,000 |
| Sep 5, 1974 | Estadio Universitario, San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León |
Friendly | 3–1 |
25,000 |
| Sep 8, 1974 | Cotton Bowl, Dallas, Texas |
Friendly | 1–0 |
22,164 |
| Aug 24, 1975 | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, D.F. |
Friendly | 2–0 |
|
| Oct 3, 1976 | Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California |
1978 FIFA World Cup qualifier | 0–0 | 31,171 |
| Oct 15, 1976 | Estadio Cuauhtémoc, Puebla, Puebla |
1978 FIFA World Cup qualifier | 3–0 |
35,000 |
| Sep 27, 1977 | Estadio Universitario, San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León |
Friendly | 3–0 |
20,000 |
| Nov 9, 1980 | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, D.F. |
1982 FIFA World Cup qualifier | 5–1 |
90,000 |
| Nov 23, 1980 | Lockhart Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida |
1982 FIFA World Cup qualifier | 2–1 |
2,126 |
| Oct 17, 1984 | Estadio Neza 86, Ciudad Nezahualcóyotl, Estado de México |
Friendly | 2–1 |
|
| May 10, 1990 |  Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada |
1990 North American Nations Cup | 1–0 |
|
| Mar 12, 1991 | Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California |
1991 North American Nations Cup | 2–2 | |
| Jul 5, 1991 | Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California |
1991 CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinal | 2–0 |
41,103 |
| Jul 25, 1993 | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, D.F. |
1993 CONCACAF Gold Cup final | 4–0 |
120,000 |
| Oct 13, 1993 | RFK Stadium, Washington, D.C. |
Friendly | 1–1 | 23,927 |
| Jun 4, 1994 | Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California |
Friendly | 1–0 |
91,123 |
| Jun 18, 1995 | RFK Stadium, Washington, D.C. |
1995 U.S. Cup | 4–0 |
38,615 |
| Jul 17, 1995 |  Estadio Parque Artigas, Paysandú, Uruguay |
1995 Copa America Quarterfinal | 0–0 (4–1) PK |
15,000 |
| Jun 16, 1996 | Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California |
1996 U.S. Cup | 2–2 | 92,216 |
| Jan 19, 1997 | Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California |
1997 U.S. Cup | 2–0 |
31,725 |
| Apr 20, 1997 | Foxboro Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts |
1998 FIFA World Cup qualifier | 2–2 | 57,877 |
| Nov 2, 1997 | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, D.F. |
1998 FIFA World Cup qualifier | 0–0 | 115,000 |
| Feb 15, 1998 | Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California |
1998 CONCACAF Gold Cup final | 1–0 |
91,255 |
| Mar 13, 1999 | Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California |
1999 U.S. Cup | 2–1 |
50,234 |
| Aug 1, 1999 | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, D.F. |
1999 FIFA Confederations Cup semifinal | 1–0 aet (0–0) |
65,000 |
| Jun 11, 2000 | Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey |
2000 U.S. Cup | 3–0 |
45,008 |
| Oct 25, 2000 | Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California |
Friendly | 2–0 |
61,072 |
| Feb 28, 2001 | Columbus Crew Stadium, Columbus, Ohio |
2002 FIFA World Cup qualifier | 2–0 |
24,329 |
| Jul 1, 2001 | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, D.F. |
2002 FIFA World Cup qualifier | 1–0 |
110,000 |
| Apr 3, 2002 | Invesco Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado |
Friendly | 1–0 |
48,476 |
| Jun 17, 2002 |  Jeonju World Cup Stadium, Jeonju, South Korea |
2002 FIFA World Cup Round Of 16 | 2–0 |
36,380 |
| May 8, 2003 | Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas |
Friendly | 0–0 | 69,582 |
| Apr 28, 2004 | Cotton Bowl, Dallas, Texas |
Friendly | 1–0 |
45,048 |
| Mar 27, 2005 | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, D.F. |
2006 FIFA World Cup qualifier | 2–1 |
110,000 |
| Sep 3, 2005 | Columbus Crew Stadium, Columbus, Ohio |
2006 FIFA World Cup qualifier | 2–0 |
24,685 |
| Feb 7, 2007 | University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona |
Friendly | 2–0 |
62,462 |
| Jun 24, 2007 | Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois |
2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup final | 2–1 |
60,000 |
| Feb 6, 2008 | Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas |
Friendly | 2–2 | 70,103 |
| Feb 11, 2009 | Columbus Crew Stadium, Columbus, Ohio |
2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier | 2–0 |
23,776 |
| Jul 26, 2009 | Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey |
2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup final | 5–0 |
79,156 |
| Aug 12, 2009 | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, D.F. |
2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier | 2–1 |
110,000 |
| Jun 25, 2011 | Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California |
2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup final | 4–2 |
93,420 |
| Aug 10, 2011 | Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
Friendly | 1–1 | 30,138 |
| Aug 15, 2012 | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, D.F. |
Friendly | 1–0 |
56,000 |
| Mar 26, 2013 | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, D.F. |
2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier | 0–0 | 85,500 |
| Sep 10, 2013 | Columbus Crew Stadium, Columbus, Ohio |
2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier | 2–0 |
24,584 |
| Apr 2, 2014 | University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona |
Friendly | 2–2 | 59,066 |
| Apr 15, 2015 | Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas |
Friendly | 2–0 |
64,369 |
| Oct 10, 2015 | Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California |
2015 CONCACAF Cup | 3–2 |
93,420 |
Statistics
| Matches | For Mexico | Draw | For USA | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MEX 131 / USA 75 |
| Main Championship Titles | Mexico | United States |
|---|---|---|
| FIFA Confederations Cup | ||
| CONCACAF Gold Cup | ||
| CONCACAF Championship* |
*no longer played
Women's soccer
The rivalry is less hostile in women's soccer but still important. Most games have been played on U.S. soil. However, games have been played between both teams in Mexico as well; including one at Estadio Azteca in 1999 which ended 0–0. Another was played during the 2008 CONCACAF Women's U-20 Championship at Puebla, Mexico, where the U.S. U-20 defeated the Mexico U-20 3–0. The Mexican women's team has only defeated the U.S. twice; once at the 2007 Pan American Games in Brazil, where Mexico won 3–2 after being down 2 goals. The other time was the 2010 CONCACAF Women's Gold Cup semifinal, where they won 2–1. This win got the Mexican women to their second Women's World Cup. While the match at the Pan American Games is not considered official by both associations and FIFA, the match at the Gold Cup is official.
In popular culture
A 2012 documentary, Gringos at the Gate / Ahi Vienen Los Gringos, written and directed by Pablo Miralles, Roberto Donati, and Michael Whalen,[6] focuses on the cultural differences between the United States and Mexico when it comes to football. This includes the conflict of Mexican-American players in the U.S. while their family might support Mexico.[7]
Notes
- 1 2 Matches were also qualifiers for the 1950 World Cup.
References
- ↑ Manfred, Tony (September 10, 2013). "DOS A CERO: USA Beats Mexico 2–0 Again, Qualifies For The 2014 World Cup". Business Insider. Retrieved September 10, 2013.
- ↑ "EU - México | Donovan orinó la cancha del Jalisco". Es.rec.deportes.futbol.narkive.com. 2004-02-11. Retrieved 2015-07-29.
- ↑ Whiteside, Kelly (2004-02-12). "USATODAY.com - Notebook: Mexicans' behavior part of the game". Usatoday30.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2015-07-29.
- ↑ "USA v Mexico 2/7/07". YouTube. Retrieved 2015-07-29.
- ↑ "Frankie Hejduk Gets Slapped By a Mexican Coach". Bleacher Report. 2009-02-13. Retrieved 2015-07-29.
- ↑ "Gringos at the Gate (2012)". IMDb.com. Retrieved 2015-07-29.
- ↑ Archived November 1, 2013, at the Wayback Machine.
External links
- 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 US and Mexico soccer rivalry