Final thoughts:
It looked like a game of two halves was more likely to tilt the USA’s way at the end but credit to Juan Carlos Osorio for constantly keeping his counterpart off-balance with his adjustments. His rotations and general wonkiness can make Osorio ripe for satire, but his adjustment to negate the US 3-5-2 dictated the key period of the first half, and the introduction of Lozano then switch of flanks relieved any build-up of pressure as the US searched for a winner, while having to be mindful of Mexico’s threat.
Not mindful enough. Rafa Marqez made his international debut before Christian Pulisic was born, and on the day age and guile beat youthful exuberance, as Marquez won the game.
So the Hex starts with wins for Costa Rica, Mexico and Panama, all on the road. Now the USA in particular will face a stern test as they go on the road to face Costa Rica, who usually beat them at home in qualifying, this Tuesday. No time to wallow for Klinsmann — his team could be in real qualifying trouble by the time they head into the winter break, unless he can do what Mexico just did, and change the record.
Thanks for joining me tonight, at the end of an extraordinary week. I’m off to hold my loved ones close.
Final score: USA 1-2 Mexico
Boos from the crowd as Mexico’s technical team clear the bench to celebrate the end of an era. Dos a Cero no mas.
Final thoughts in a moment.
Red card for Carlos Salcedo
Silly second yellow for time-wasting by Salcedo. He’s sent off, duly dawdles to start a melee with frustrated US players, and we’ll see how much time the referee adds on.
90 mins+3: Klinsmann looking disgusted and weary on the sidelines at this dramatic turn in fortunes for his team. Now they have to go to Costa Rica for their next game, where their record indicates they’ll lose. The small silver lining for Klinsmann might be that records haven’t meant anything tonight...
90 mins +1: We’re going to have three minutes of extra-time for the US to salvage something after that sucker punch.
GOAL! USA 1-2 MEXICO (MARQUEZ!)
It had to be Marquez...! Layun swings the corner to the near post where Marquez has ghosted across to flick a free header up and over Guzan and inside the unguarded back post! USA facing the first home qualifying loss in 15 years.
88 mins: Lozano lively again, this time on his switched left wing position, but his scampering run is ended by Jozy Altidore knocking him to the ground. Layun sends in an inswinger which Johnson heads behind for Mexico’s first corner...
86 mins: The USA continue to drive forward, but need to be wary of Mexico’s willingness to gamble on the counter in these last few minutes. US settling for possession at the moment as they try and pace themselves for the final assault on goal.
84 mins: Another corner for the US and Bradley trots across to set up the inswinger. It’s a dangerous looking one this time, and it has Talavera flapping at it. Wood can’t reach it at the back post anyway, as the referee blows for a foul.
82 mins: Michael Orozco comes on for Matt Besler, perhaps to try and shut down the threat of Lozano, who’s been darting at that side of the field. Immediately, the tinkerman Osorio switches Lozano to the left, and puts Corona on the right.
This is called the I-know-you-are-but-what-am-I gambit.
80 mins: The corner doesn’t clear the first man but the USA have stepped up their intensity in winning the ball back, and now the crowd roars in approval as Pulisic battles and battles for the ball and comes away with it at Chicharito’s expense. He’s utterly unperturbed by this stage.
Suddenly the game gets wild as Lozano goes up to the other end on a dangerous run that ends with johnson making a last ditch clearance off the toe of Chicharito as he’s about to finish at the near post.
78 mins: End to end now as Pulisic makes an interception in midfield and sprints towards the box, only to be blocked in bizarre fashion by Salcedo on the edge of the box in a very dangerous position. Salcedo is booked, but more importantly for Mexico they have to defend a free kick just outside the D...
...And it’s up and down and headed under the bar when Talavera tips it over for a corner. Just not close enough to the corner.
76 mins: Wood looks sharp again as Altidore’s hold up play sets him up to turn and spin in the box and power a left foot shot to force a good save from Talavera.
Mexico break and the substitute Lozano causes a brief panic in the US box as the ball flashes across the box, but nobody’s following up.
74 mins: Before that can happen Lozano comes on for Vela, in the final Mexican change. That’s an attacking move. Osorio not content with the draw. But his team need to stabilize.
And now Yedlin does replace Chandler.
72 mins: Coaches pondering their final moves as the game heads into the final 20 minutes. Looks like DeAndre Yedlin’s speed is about to enter the game, maybe for Chandler.
70 mins: Terrible free kick from Layun as he tries to disguise the cut back for Chicharito near the penalty spot. His pass misses his team mate comletely and the US break. To complete a miserable sequence for Layun he is booked as he drags down Wood to stop the break.
68 mins: For once Mexico get a kindly break for the ball to run free for Layun wide left, and while his sweeping cross can’t pick out Chicharito, Mexico retain possession in the US third, and finally earn a free kick on the right of the box as Besler brings down dos Santos. He’s booked and the US must defend an awkward set piece...
66 mins: On the sidelines Osorio is considering what final substitution he can make to adjust the trajectory this game is taking — at the moment Mexico looking way more ragged than they did in the first half, and we could see more cards soon.
64 mins: An inswinging Bradley free kick is not cleared fully, and Mexico are relieved when play is stopped for an offside. Now the game gets choppy again as Mexico commit a couple of fouls to break up the play and the US momentum. Vela picks up a yellow for a kick out on Jones.
62 mins: Best period of possession of the match for the US ends with Chandler getting into an advanced position on the right and cutting the ball back to the edge of the box, where the arriving Johnson sweeps his first-time shot just over the bar.
In the build up to that Chicharito was very lucky not to have what looked like a deliberate elbow on Brooks punished.
60 mins: Mexico rocking now, and suddenly there’s another US turnover and Bradley and Wood combine. Bradley could maybe have slipped another pass to Wood, but shoots and it’s a poor shot that’s saved easily, and a stung Mexico spring forward.
And now there’s a scramble in the US box, which ends in Herrera hitting the deck dramatically. Immediately the referee blows the whistle...and books Herrera for simulation. The right call — but it’s definitely Mexico’s turn to feel like nothing’s going their way.
58 mins: Another half-chance for Wood as he gets between the center backs again, but a heavy touch allows Salcedo to get to the ball and concede a corner, with Wood barreling into the box.
The corner allows a free header for Omar Gonzalez who doesn’t realize how much time he has and it’s weak.
56 mins: Besler fouls dos Santos wide right to concede a free kick, but Layun can’t clear Besler (again) as he tries to float a cross in.
USA getting some joy turning Mexican players in midfield. Pulisic is the latest beneficiary as he sets up a US attack that ends in a corner. They waste it by getting a little too cute with their approach before Jones steps up to hit a long range shot which...well, it wasn’t what you’d call a good long range shot.
Updated
54 mins: The through ball to Altidore came from Brooks stepping up sharply to intercept and drive the ball forward to where Ayala had over-committed on Altidore and was spun easily. Nothing looked on at that moment, but once Altidore got his head up Mexico were scrambling.
GOAL! USA 1 MEXICO 1 (WOOD!)
Altidore turns brilliantly in picking up a ball out of defense and pushes the ball forward to the onrushing Wood. He has plenty to do as he forces his way into the box and looks to have overrun the ball momentarily, only to regain control and poke the ball into the net! Great time for the USA to score. How will Mexico respond?
50 mins: Brooks has to do some good work to put Vela off his shot, which eventually trundles through to Guzan.
Second half begins
Almost immediately there’s a comedy of errors in the Mexico box, as the ball ricochets wildly. Eventually Jones’ shot from the edge of the box is blocked. Wild start to the half, and more urgency from the US than we saw in the previous 45 minutes.
Ayala on for Reyes at half-time by the way. Mexico have one sub left.
Twitter is still speaking:
But it’s mostly puns about walls. Under the circumstances I will go high.
An email:
From Raymond Reardon:
“With Britain’s isolationist policies post brexit and the USA’s president to be’s isolationist talk pre-election shouldn’t the US and the UK form an Atlantic axis called USUK.”
Not entirely sure that’s helping, Raymond.
Half-time thoughts:
A great first half for Mexico, who quietened the home crowd from the start, by swarming past a USA team clearly uncomfortable in their new 3-5-2 formation. They adjusted their own formation to deal with the unfamiliar US line up with just a few seconds on the clock, and by the time the US adjusted to 4-4-2 in response, Mexico had taken the lead and hit the woodwork twice.
And to add injury to insult, the US lost Tim Howard to injury late in the half.
Mexico saw out the half comfortably repelling the USA’s willing but mostly unimaginative attacks, and choosing their moments to counter and stretch the USA back line.
As it stands Klinsmann need to find another gear from somewhere, or at least hope that he can change the mood of the game and the crowd with an early goal in the second half, perhaps from a set piece. But he needs something. At the moment he has Cero.
Half-time USA 0-1 Mexico
The Mexican players are all pleading their case to the referee after the whistle, as Jermaine Jones had committed a late-looking tackle that was never revisited after advantage was played. The referee waves them off, and the players trudge off to the locker room. A lot to think about for the home team in particular.
45 mins+3: The US are lumping long balls forward, but to little effect other than kickstarting Mexico counters. And that will be that for the half...
45 mins+1: Lovely run from Vela to get behind Besler and send a low ball across the box, but it’s cut out before any Mexican forward can inflict more damage. We’re in the first of three added minutes by the way.
44 mins: Salcedo has to make a lunging interception as Chandler whips in a cross intended for Altidore. With the attack breaking down Brooks steps up trying to force back possession and fouls Chicharito. The Mexican forward goes down hard, in a manner that is in no way related to Brooks already having been booked. A small melee ensues, and Brooks gets away with what’s likely a final warning.
A minute later, Chandler is not so lucky as his badly timed tackle on Corona gets him a yellow card. This has been a poor half for the US.
42 mins: Almost immediately Guzan is forced into a rushed clearance after Chicharito closes him down. The USA look like they’re just trying to get in at half-time and figure out a new blueprint. Mexico looking very comfortable playing with a lead.
40 mins: Pulisic comes away with the ball in midfield and tries to pick out a ball behind the defense but Marquez steps across and Mexico break. Howard ends up being forced into a fairly routine save, but the strain of it is enough to convince him he can’t go on. He signals to the bench and this time Guzan will come in.
38 mins: Howard looks like he might have aggravated a groin condition he was dealing with yesterday in training. He’s continuing for the moment, but Guzan is stripped down and ready to come in, just in case. That’s a headache for Klinsmann.
36 mins: More bad news for the US, and maybe Colorado Rapids, who are Tim Howard’s MLS team, and current high seeds in the playoffs for MLS Cup. Howard pulls up sharply on a goal kick and it looks like he can’t continue. Brad Guzan warming up quickly...
34 mins: Bradley’s free kick goes deep to theback post and Altidore’s header looks like it’s being cushioned straight to the goalkeeper, but he’s distracted and the ball is loose for a moment. Pulisic is first to the breaking ball, but seems surprised to have it reach him and his first touch is heavy.
Mexico break and Jones commits a foul in an even more dangerous position, 25 yards out and just right of center. But dos Santos free kick flies just over the bar.
32 mins: The USA break crisply as a Mexico attack is thwarted on the edge of their own box. Neat passes by Pulisic and Jones into the final third, but then Altidore can’t find an incisive ball behind the defense and the chance is gone.
Now Chandler gets forward (a rarity in this game) and is fouled by Vela wide right. Free kick to the US...
30 mins: The US looking marginally more comfortable in this configuration, but has the damage already been done? They have to forget the end of that historic sequence and find a way to get back into this game.
But first they have to deal with a dangerous inswinging free kick as Besler clatters Vela. It evades the lurking Moreno, who was offside anyway.
28 mins: It looks like the USA are going to a 4-4-2, as we have an injury break (looks like Guardado is coming out by the way). Besler sliding out wide to play full back, Pulisic going out wide. Let’s see if it works, but expect to hear more commentary about that starting 3-5-2 in the coming days.
Mexico hit the bar!
The USA still being pressed back by a hard-working Mexico front three every time they try to build from the back. And they’re leaving pockets for Mexico all over the field. And up pops Vela in one of those pockets, in front of goal, to send a header crashing against the bar. This could be 3-0.
24 mins: USA try to push back and Pulisic sends a low cross from a short corner into the Mexican six yard box, but Altidore can’t get a decisive touch. Mexico break and for a moment the USA are outnumbered. They’re certainly being out-thought, if not out-fought at the moment.
GOAL! USA 0-1 MEXICO (LAYUN!)
The ball squirms clear of an awkward Michael Bradley challenge and into the path of Layun. Chandler reacts too late in trying to close him down, and can’t stop a low skimming shot into the corner past Howard.
No more Dos a Cero, then.
20 mins: Besler clattered by Chicharito and the US can come forward now. Wood and Altidore complete some link up play to set up Johnson out wie. He sweeps a cross to the back post, but Altidore’s tame header goes straight to the keeper.
18 mins: Jones gets involved in a little bit of afters on a nothing midfield foul and earns himself a chat with the referee. He’s sitting on a yellow and can’t afford a booking.
And now the game perks up a little as a couple of minor flashpoints pop up around the field. The sequence ends with Pulisic overrunning the ball on a surging run, but for the moment the USA are looking proactive.
16 mins: Besler has to step up quickly as Herrera shapes to shoot from distance, and does enough to distract the Mexican player from getting his shot on target.
14 mins: So the Cero part of Dos a Cero is preserved, but barely. The US can play this game without possession, but not by gifting Mexico this degree of rhythm and control.
Howard tries a quick throw to change up the tempo, and Jones steps forward and tries to pick out his front men with a long ball that’s closer to picking out Cleveland.
And now Brooks celebrates his first ever World Cup qualifier with a card. Not a good sequence for the USA.
Mexico hit the post!
Great save from Howard pushes a Corona shot onto the post, at full stretch! Again Mexico had stretched the US defense on the left, and Corona had cut inside on the edge of the box and sent a shot flying that was going in but for Howard’s touch.
As the ball ricochets away the US try to break, but Altidore is hauled back by Reyes, who’ll be booked. Will that wake the USA up?
10 mins: The US still look like they’re figuring out the balance of the back three, while any early tactical surprise looks like it was instantly negated by Osorio’s immediate adjustment.
Layun tries another little ball behind the US defense for Dos Santos. It runs to far, but Mexico cheerfully targeting Chandler’s side of the field at the moment.
8 mins: Another dangerous look for Mexico as Layun ties Chandler in knots on the left before whipping a ball across that Chicharito flicks just past the near post. Mexico definitely having better of early exchanges.
6 mins: Costa Rica won 2-0 in Trinidad earlier today by the way in the other game in the group. They host the US next week.
Dos Santos floats a dangerous looking ball towards the US back post, but it carries out of play.
4 mins: Decent start from Mexico, though it’s hardly unusual for them to have the bulk of possession in these games. Still no dangerous ball in the final third from them though, and it’s the US who get the first threatening attack.
Pulisic and Wood combine, slightly awkwardly it has to be said, before the latter finds Johnson overlapping on the left, only for Johnson to completely skew his first time shot/cross/experimental dance high into the crowd.
2 mins: Mexico pass the ball around the back early, but US midfielders buzzing around them as soon as they try to push the ball forward.
Instantly Layun adjusts to move over to the other side of the field as Mexico tactically adjust to the US 5. More of a 4-4-2 in response from Mexico now.
PEEP! We’re off!
The huddles finish chatting about the socks the other team are wearing, everyone disperses to their starting positions and Mexico kick off!
And yes they’re being serendaded by “Dos a Cero!” as they do so...
Anthems
They’re being sung.
A massive repudiation of neo-liberal globalization
Is discussed over here... Meanwhile, back on the silly pages of history, we are dealing with our own failures of globalization:
@KidWeil Thanks for blogging the USA v Mexico match , I can't believe that any British networks aren't broadcasting this match !!!!
— Kieran Chumun (@kkchumun) November 12, 2016
You’re welcome Kieran — can also let you know, which the British networks won’t, that the teams are about to come out of the tunnel...
Updated
Twitter speaks
And this is it being kind:
@KidWeil @GuardianUS I've never said this before but "Go Mexico."
— Hunter Felt (@HunterFelt) November 11, 2016
Teams out warming up:
And it’s cold, which will notionally suit the USA.
Looking at the Mexican players warming up though, it’s striking to watch Rafa Marquez — 37 years old, and veteran of many of these encounters. Marquez of course once delivered an infamous red-card-worthy elbow to Cobi Jones that’s become one of the iconic images of this series. Jones is long-retired, but Marquez has persisted remarkably — playing at the last World Cup, continuing to captain his club side, Atlas, and generally making the most of a long career.
No announcement of a new fragrance yet though.
Christian Pulisic
One of the breakthrough stories of recent months has been the emergence of Christian Pulisic. The 18 year old Pennsylvanian player has looked incredibly comfortable in his time on the field so far — and became the youngest US goalscorer in the process. And of course he has made the breakthrough into the Borussia Dortmund team.
But Pulisic has also got to navigate the heightened expectation of the US fanbase and media. Desperate for a World Class player to help drive attention for the game, the US soccer community have a tendency to prematurely announce new messiahs, and Pulisic joins a long line of young players to be crowned in this way. Anyway, he starts tonight, and if he should happen to score, well you can forget about any cool statements about “giving him time”...
Team News
USA: Howard; Besler, Brooks, Gonzalez; Chandler, Jones, Bradley, Johnson, Pulisic; Wood, Altidore
If anyone has any spare semi-colons, we could do with a few over here, to scatter among the random collection of names above. Juan Carlos Osorio may enjoy the reputation as a tinkerer, and true to form, looking at his probable line up (they’ve still not released it) it’s hard to be sure if he’ll name a 3-4-3, a 4-2-3-1 or a 3-4-3...
...but don’t sleep on Jürgen Klinsmann — he’s gone three at the back, in a 3-5-2, with Timmy Chandler perhaps the most eyebrow raising inclusion as one of the wide men. Fabian Johnson has always looked under-utilized when asked to do too much defensive work for the national team, particularly given his more attacking role with his club. He’ll enjoy the freedom to get forward tonight. Chandler though, has never proved quite enough of an asset on either side of the play to ever quite hold down a national team place. Can he do a job tonight?
UPDATE: Mexico going 4-2-3-1: Talavera; Reyes, Marquez, Moreno, Layún; Guardado, Herrera, Dos Santos, Vela, Corona; Chicharito
Updated
Preamble
Evening all, and welcome to yet another routine encounter between two footballing nations...
Not going to remotely pretend there’s anything normal about this week, or the circumstances that surround this game between USA and Mexico, but plenty of wiser people than I have weighed in on the political potential of tonight’s opening World Cup qualifier, and indeed on the need to not overplay the political weight of a game of soccer, so I’m going to leave those takes right there for you, and we’ll move on and keep an eye on how the game and the occasion goes off this evening.
And for what it’s worth, so far at least, most anecdotal reports out of Columbus cite the Mexican and US fans mixing peacefully. Tailgate mystery meat is truly the fuel of diplomacy.
Anyhoo...welcome, put your feet up, your Dos a Cero scarf or Olympic medal down, and let’s see what drama we’re in for on the field this evening. I’ll be back with more build up and team news shortly. In the meantime please feel free to send your tweets to @KidWeil, your emails to graham.parker@theguardian.com, and set your sense of perspective to 10. It’s been a long week...
Dos a Cero
So unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’re probably aware of a certain 2-0 scoreline, or rather several of them, dating back to the first time this game was played at this stadium, then known as Crew Stadium, back in February 2001.
On a freezing day, during which the Mexicans stayed in their locker room rather than warming up, the US won 2-0. And then, of course, they did so again in the 2002 World Cup knockout stages. And again, and again, and again...
Basically, Mapfre Stadium may not be the most glamorous venue for the marquee North American rivalry game to be played, but when it comes to home World Cup qualifiers, US Soccer know that its intimate confines, Ohio location, and now nearly two decade winning streak, make this the venue of choice for USA vs Mexico for the forseeable future.
The chances of seeing a fifth World Cup cycle go by with the US beating Mexico at home by the same scoreline are not straightforward. This game is coming very early in the final round of qualifying, for one. It’s the end of the MLS season for some key US players, and they’ll also be aware that with a road trip to Costa Rica coming up next, there’s a lot of pressure not to get left behind the pack in the early running of the so called Hex group.
The US lost their opening World Cup qualifier of the Hex in Honduras last time round, but ended up topping the group fairly comfortably. Mexico of course struggled throughout, and ended up being grateful for a Graham Zusi goal against Panama to give them a playoff lifeline into the World Cup.
And in some sort of neat symmetry, Panama just opened the Hex by winning 1-0 in Honduras this afternoon...
Updated
Graham will be here shortly. In the meantime, read why Friday’s game promises to be an awkward affair, on and off the field:
Well, that escalated quickly. The preamble to last year’s USA v Mexico clash, for the right to represent Concacaf at the Confederations Cup, seems impossibly quaint at this moment. To pick out a couple of random phenomena, Fox Soccer were forced on the defensive for a video montage that seemed to make light of Donald Trump’s inflammatory rhetoric, while on the Mexican side it was possible to walk through the Rose Bowl parking lots before the game, and see Trump piñatas dotted among the portable BBQs. But it still all seemed like so much carnival posturing on both sides.
Well, the symbolism just went up a notch after Trump’s presidential election victory. The soccer rivalry is charged enough in the best of times, but under the circumstances there’s now an additional level to add into the history of Dos a Cero. So while we can make some guesses at the technical side of what’s coming up, it’s hard to say how the cultural side of the occasion will play out, when emotions are still raw. There is of course the possibility that love ends up beating hate on away goals ...
