USMNT: History won't help beat Mexico in CONCACAF Cup

PASADENA, Calif. – The U.S. national team enters Saturday evening’s Confederations Cup playoff against Mexico on a four-year unbeaten run against its archrival.

“It’s a little sway of results. I think we’ve gotten the better of them the past so many times and I hope we keep that going,” midfielder Graham Zusi said. “We can’t look at these past five games and think we’re going to be safe.”

It’s six games, Graham. The U.S. is 3-0-3 against El Tri since losing the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup final here at the Rose Bowl.

“Six, sorry,” he said. “Shows how much I care about the past.”

• All of Sports Illustrated’s coverage for USA’s playoff against Mexico

That past has been relatively kind. Through four-plus years of ups, downs, fits and starts, the most consistent thing about coach Jurgen Klinsmann’s tenure has been the Americans’ superiority over Mexico. The U.S. went 1-0-1 during World Cup qualification in 2013 and the year before, it earned the program’s first win at the Death Star that was the Estadio Azteca.

“Since Jurgen’s come in, things have been good,” goalkeeper Tim Howard said. “We’ve had a positive outlook. We’re confident. But we know how good they are as well. You say we have the edge. I think we have the edge. But we have to prove it.”

It’s a nice run of success over a very good team and the rivalry’s longest such string since Mexico enjoyed a 4-0-4 spell in the late 1990s. But Klinsmann and his players said prior to Friday’s training session, their last before taking the field against Mexico, that they had no explanation for it. No secret has been found, no weakness detected, no foolproof tactical plan devised that can be exploited or replicated on Saturday, they claimed. They’ll just have to hope their run continues for at least one more day.

“There’s no reason for [the streak],” Klinsmann said. “There’s a lot of respect for Mexico, always. How we approach them, how we analyze them, there’s admiration for them, for their individual players, for their program, for what they’ve done over so many years and for this rivalry. And every time you get to another clash, which happens tomorrow night, you start at 0-0 again. You have no idea how it will end, and that’s the exciting part about football. You can’t predict.”

A search for patterns over the past few USA-Mexico matchups yields a couple of trends that may influence Klinsmann’s lineup. Captain Michael Bradley typically has played behind two attackers, which seems likely on Saturday with both Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore available and healthy. There’s been a stay-at-home defensive midfielder deployed in front of the back four in each of the past four USA-Mexico games. On three occasions it was Kyle Beckerman, who’s in camp and likely to see action. Clogging the middle and stunting Mexico's buildup is key.

Tactical choices in the center key to USA-Mexico CONCACAF Cup playoff

There are more pressing questions at other positions, however. Midfielder Alejandro Bedoya, a potential starter thanks to his ability to pinch in, track the opposition and then combine quickly and skillfully when the ball turns over, will miss the playoff with what Klinsmann described as a “fever” (forward Bobby Wood replaced him on the active roster). Defender Omar Gonzalez, an effective starter in each of the past four USA-Mexico tilts, wasn’t called up, leaving the U.S. to field a center-back tandem that has never been paired against El Tri. Matt Besler, Geoff Cameron, Ventura Alvarado and Michael Orozco are among the options.

“You guys always hear me say, one of the strengths of our team has been the ability of different guys to step in on different days and really come through,” Bradley said. “The mentality, the spirit, the commitment from every guy to compete for the guy next to him, those are things that have carried us on big days and in tough moments. I have total—we all have total faith that whoever steps in tomorrow, whoever plays in any spot is going to step on the field ready to go.”

Mexico and its interim coach, Ricardo Ferretti, face a couple of selection headaches as well. Andrés Guardado (ankle) and Rafa Márquez (groin) appear to have recovered from their injuries and are ready to play. But midfield anchor José Juan Vázquez (hamstring) is out, leaving a void in front of El Tri’s back four. Giovani dos Santos will miss the game as well. Up front, Ferretti will have to choose from among Oribe Peralta, Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernández, Raúl Jiménez and Carlos Vela. Rumors of a switch to a 4-3-3 formation from the 5-3-2 Mexico has primarily played have spread this week.

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There are decisions to be made, but no mysteries.

“Both teams know each other so well,” Klinsmann said. “They’re two teams that match up 50/50 … It’s down to the moment. It’s down to their spirit and their willingness to be disciplined and to suffer for each other and give everything they have.”

It will be blazing hot, and the Rose Bowl crowd will be big (some 90,000) and loud. The stakes are high and the weeks of buzz and build-up has left both teams eager to get going.

“It’s about time for kickoff, huh,” Klinsmann joked during his Friday press conference.

Jurgen Klinsmann's history vs. Mexico: Undefeated as player, coach

Despite a miserable fourth-place finish at this summer’s Gold Cup, which forced the U.S. into this playoff for the Confederations Cup ticket, there’s reason for the Klinsmann and Co. to feel confident. The manager said that he embraces the pressure and hoped his players enjoy the moment, maintain their composure and feed off the energy. Mexico is familiar and brings out the best in the U.S. That’s fortunate, because it will take the Americans’ best to win on Saturday. Unbeaten streaks can inspire, but they also can end.

“Big games take care of themselves,” Howard said. “You don’t have to worry about the energy. You don’t have to worry about being prepared. You just go out and find the flow of the game. I think we’re excited.”

Said Zusi, “[The streak] is something you can’t look at and say we’re going to be fine because we’re on the up in this rivalry. We’re taking it a game at a time and we know what kind of threat Mexico can pose. They’re a very good team and so it doesn’t change our mentality going into this one.”

GALLERY: USA vs. Mexico through the years

USA vs. Mexico Soccer

November 11, 2016 – Mexico 2, USA 1

USA and Mexico players watch Rafa Marquez's 89th-minute header find the net in a famous World Cup qualifying win in Columbus for El Tri.

October 10, 2015 – Mexico 3, USA 2 (AET)

Jermaine Jones falls to his knees in disappointment as Mexico celebrates after Paul Aguilar's sensational volley in extra time captured the CONCACAF Cup for El Tri and sends the U.S. rival to the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup.

April 15, 2015 — USA 2, Mexico 0

Stanford University's Jordan Morris marked his first senior national team start with his first international goal, sparking the USA in another 2-0 triumph over Mexico, this one at the Alamodome in San Antonio.

September 10, 2013 — USA 2, Mexico 0

Eddie Johnson and Landon Donovan scored second-half goals to beat El Tri by the same score for the fourth consecutive qualifier in Columbus, Ohio.

March 26, 2013 — USA 0, Mexico 0

Clint Dempsey captained the U.S. to a 0-0 draw at Estadio Azteca, the second time ever the Americans registered a point in World Cup qualifying in Mexico (the other a 1997 tie). Defenders Omar Gonzalez and Matt Besler were the stars as Mexico couldn't cash in on several opportunities. The U.S. escaped to remain in second place in CONCACAF qualifying.

August 15, 2012 — USA 1, Mexico 0

It took 25 attempts, but after this friendly, the United States could finally say that it had won at Mexico City's Azteca Stadium. Despite being outplayed for most of the match, the U.S. won thanks to an 80th-minute goal from Michael Orozco Fiscal — the first international goal of his career.

August 10, 2011 — USA 1, Mexico 1

Head coach Jurgen Klinsmann's U.S. debut got off to a rough start, as the Americans trailed Mexico, 1-0 after an uninspired first half in Philadelphia. The U.S. showed more verve after halftime, though, and an impressive display from Brek Shea and a 73rd-minute goal from Robbie Rogers led to a 1-1 draw.

June 25, 2011 — Mexico 4, USA 2

In the Gold Cup final, Mexico captured its second straight title in the battle for CONCACAF bragging rights and secured a berth in the 2013 Confederations Cup. Pablo Barrera scored twice; Giovani Dos Santos and Andres Guardado also had goals. The U.S. was up 2-0 early on Michael Bradley and Landon Donovan goals, but poor defending (partially due to the loss of Steve Cherundolo by injury) doomed the Americans.

August 12, 2009 — Mexico 2, USA 1

The U.S. took its first-ever lead at Azteca Stadium, but went on to lose 2-1 in what was a critical World Cup qualifier for Mexico. The win changed the tide for the then-struggling Mexican squad, as it went on to go 3-0-1 in its next four matches to earn a trip to South Africa. The U.S. still went on to finish first in CONCACAF qualification.

July 26, 2009 — Mexico 5, USA 0

Mexico put an emphatic end to the Americans' 9-0-2 home streak against "El Tri." The Mexicans took the Gold Cup from the two-time defending champion, with five different players scoring goals in the second half at Giants Stadium.

February 11, 2009 — USA 2, Mexico 0

Two goals from Michael Bradley gave the U.S. another home victory over Mexico. It marked the eleventh consecutive time that the Americans had gone unbeaten against Mexico when playing on U.S. soil.

June 24, 2007 — USA 2, Mexico 1

Down 1-0, second-half goals from Landon Donovan and Benny Feilhaber gave the U.S. the victory in the 2007 Gold Cup finals. The win earned the Americans a spot in the 2009 Confederations Cup, where they achieved their famous upset over Spain.

September 3, 2005 — USA 2, Mexico 0

A 2-0 victory over "El Tri" clinched a spot in the 2006 World Cup, with goals coming from Steve Ralston and DaMarcus Beasley.

May 8, 2003 — USA 0, Mexico 0

In their first meeting since the 2002 World Cup, an all-MLS squad of Americans played Mexico to a 0-0 draw in front of more than 69,000 people in Houston.

June 17, 2002 — USA 2, Mexico 0

Arguably the biggest win in U.S. soccer team history came against its archrivals at the 2002 World Cup. Brian McBride and Landon Donovan gave the Americans a 2-0 victory in South Korea to send their team to the quarterfinals. It is the furthest stage the team has reached in the World Cup since 1930.

July 1, 2001 — Mexico 1, USA 0

Needing a win to stay in contention for the 2002 World Cup, the Mexicans won 1-0 at Azteca Stadium, making their record 21-0-1 when hosting the Americans.

February 28, 2001 — USA 2, Mexico 0

For the first time ever, the Americans won their third consecutive game against Mexico. The victory came in the World Cup qualifying finals and was held in Columbus, Ohio.

August 1, 1999 — Mexico 1, USA 0

Cuauhtemoc Blanco's goal in extra time eliminated the U.S. in the semifinals of the 1999 Mexico City Confederations Cup. The win capped off a long tradition of Mexican dominance over the American side, a streak that shortly thereafter ended, as the Americans won the next three matches against their rivals.

July 17, 1995 — USA 0, Mexico 0

The USA outlasted Mexico in a penalty shootout to reach the semifinals of the 1995 Copa America. After a 0-0 draw, goalkeeper Brad Friedel was the hero in PKs, making two saves. The U.S. made all four of its attempts and advanced.

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