USMNT vs. Mexico: The All-Time Record of North America’s Biggest Rivalry
Few rivalries in international soccer match the intensity and passion of Mexico vs. the U.S. men’s national team. The stakes are sky high whenever these two Concacaf giants meet. History, honor, prestige and the identity of both nations are put on the line.
For a soccer-crazy nation like Mexico, losing to their northern neighbors in a sport that is far from their most popular is unforgivable. For a rising soccer country like the U.S., which is obsessed with winning, overtaking Mexico as the region’s dominant force is a must.
It marks a bitter rivalry. From a 50-year Mexican dominance, to “Dos A Cero,” to El Tri finally conquering Columbus in 2016 and, of course, that afternoon in Jeonju, South Korea in 2002. The animosity goes back nearly a century.
Sports Illustrated looks back at the historic head-to-head record of the enormous rivalry between the USMNT and Mexico.
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USMNT vs. Mexico: All-Time Head-to-Head Record
- Games Played: 80
- Mexico: 38 wins
- United States: 25 wins
- Draws: 17
Mexico still leads the all-time head-to-head by a considerable margin. However, the USMNT has managed to close the gap significantly since El Tri went on a 24-game unbeaten run following the first meeting between the sides, which ended 4–2 to the Stars and Stripes in 1934.
Overall, Mexico has the upper-hand in the rivalry in friendly games and almost every other official competition where it’s faced the USMNT. One of the few exceptions is the most important tournament of them all.
USMNT vs. Mexico: FIFA World Cup Head-to-Head Record
On July 17, 2002, the USMNT defeated Mexico 2–0 in the round of 16 of the 2002 FIFA World Cup—the only time these two nations have met in the sport’s most prestigious competition.
Brian McBride and Landon Donovan were the goalscorers on the day, with the latter scoring one of his six career goals vs. El Tri—the most of any USMNT player in the rivalry.
That afternoon in South Korea will forever live in infamy as one of the darkest moments in El Tri’s history. For the USMNT, on the other hand, it’s one of its greatest ever results, one that secured bragging rights over its bitter rivals for generations to come and gave birth to the “Dos A Cero” folklore.
USMNT vs. Mexico: Gold Cup Head-to-Head Record
- Games Played: 9
- Mexico: 6 wins
- United States.: 3 wins
Mexico is the record champion in the Gold Cup, having lifted the trophy 10 times compared to the USMNT’s seven. Six of those El Tri titles came by defeating the USMNT in the final, including the 2011 championship, where Giovani Dos Santos scored one of the most memorable goals in the history of the rivalry.
USMNT vs. Mexico: World Cup Qualifiers Head-to-Head Record
- Games Played: 31
- Mexico: 16 wins
- United States: 7 wins
- Draws: 8
Mexico and the USMNT have faced each other the most in World Cup qualifiers. El Tri has the overwhelming advantage over its neighbor.
The “Dos A Cero” mantra began even before the 2002 World Cup. It all started when the USMNT decided to start hosting its qualifying matches against Mexico in Ohio in 2001. The Stars and Stripes have defeated Mexico 2–0 in five of the six qualification matches played in that state since.
However, Mexico did manage to win at the Columbus Crew stadium once. El Tri defeated the USMNT 2–1 on its own patch in 2016, a result that played a significant role in the U.S. failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.
Home form has proven key for Mexico, too, with the USMNT having never won this fixture in an official match on Mexican soil. That includes 11 unsuccessful tries at El Tri’s fortress in Mexico City, the mythical Estadio Azteca.
USMNT vs. Mexico: Most Recent Meeting
USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino got his first victory of the rivalry as his side emphatically defeated Mexico 3–0 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
The Stars and Stripes had dropped the last two in the bitter clash, and eager to get back in the win column, they produced an absolutely magical night, handing Rafael Márquez his first defeat as Mexico manager—a brutal one at that.
The story of the game was the exciting USMNT teenagers. Julian Hall opened the scoring with his third goal in as many games and then Cavan Sullivan doubled the lead, becoming the youngest goalscorer in USMNT history in the process.
When it seemed like the USMNT was going to secure its latest “Dos a Cero” win, Malik Tillman decided two didn‘t suffice and added a third with a thumping late hit.
The USMNT inflicted a painful defeat that erased any good grace Mexico secured with its fanbase during the 2026 World Cup. Now, El Tri will look to return the favor whenever the two rivals meet again—likely in the 2027 Concacaf Nations League finals.
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