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CONCACAF Cup: Mexico defeats U.S. in extra-time to qualify for 2017 Confederations Cup
Tres a dos.
Another phenomenal chapter was written in the storied rivalry between Mexico and the United States Men's National Team on Saturday, as El Tri produced a stunning and deserved 3-2 victory in the CONCACAF Cup to punch its ticket to the 2017 Confederations Cup in Russia.
(Courtesy: Seleccion Nacional)
The fixture, taking place at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., in front of 93,723 supporters - most of whom were backing Mexico - not only lived up to the hype, but surpassed it in a way that almost seemed inconceivable.
It was, simply put, 120 minutes of mesmerising football.
Mexico, abandoning its recent 5-3-2 formation in favour of a 4-4-2 that saw Rafa Marquez feature as a midfielder, required no time to settle, opening the scoring in the 10th minute when Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez scored his first-ever goal against the U.S. by capping off an excellent passing sequence.
Related: 'Chicharito' opens scoring for Mexico off Peralta's cheeky dummy
However, only five minutes later, the U.S. responded with a goal of its own as Geoff Cameron, left unmarked by Marquez, equalised by heading home a free-kick from none other than Michael Bradley.
Related: Geoff Cameron levels score off Michael Bradley curler
Cameron's goal triggered a U-turn in the match. Jurgen Klinsmann's diamond midfield flattened in order to shut down Mexico's attacks on the flanks, and Jermaine Jones and Gyasi Zardes switched positions, the latter taking the former's role on the right side of the pitch and vice versa. For the rest of the half, the U.S. sat deep, comfortably, and launched threatening counterattacks.
Klinsmann's side even got the better of a scuffle that broke out after Oribe Peralta and Brad Guzan collided, as a hot-headed Peralta was shown a yellow card.
How many times was "bro" said in this #USAvMEX rumble? #stats pic.twitter.com/nkz5NOl8z7
— Soccer Gods (@soccergods) October 11, 2015
Then came the interval.
From the moment the second half began, Mexico suffocated the U.S., achieving a Barcelona-esque 75 percent of possession within the first 10 minutes. Its pressure should have been rewarded on the hour mark, but Chicharito, in a microcosm of his club form, was unable to take clean shot from inside his opposition's six-yard box.
Somehow, despite a complete lack of awareness from Klinsmann regarding substitutions and allowing Mexico far too much time and space on the ball, the U.S. forced extra-time. Both teams looked gassed at that point, and Jones, in particular, looked like he had nothing left to give.
What transpired in extra-time, though, was nothing short of remarkable.
In the 94th minute, Mexico finally found the go-ahead goal it had been searching for when a surging Paul Aguilar, whose charges down the right flank were relentless throughout the game, got a touch to an aerial ball, allowing Peralta to one-time the ball into the back of the net.
Given that the U.S. looked like it had nothing left to offer, it seemed like the goal would prove to be the winner. Mexico's superiority had been on display from the moment the second half kicked off, and there was no evidence to suggest that the Americans had another goal in them as Klinsmann refused to use his last substitution.
I can't think of a single, logical reason to hold onto a sub at this point. This is a level of ludicrousness Terry Gilliam couldn't touch.
— Matthew Doyle (@MLSAnalyst) October 11, 2015
Enter Bobby Wood, the second of Klinsmann's substitutions and the man who rescued the U.S. with game-winning goals in friendlies against the Netherlands and Germany in June.
Wood's 108th-minute equaliser was a reminder of how unjust football can be, and the blame was squarely on Hector Moreno for his shambolic defending.
Then, just when it seemed like nothing could make the fixture any crazier and that the match was headed for penalty kicks, Aguilar, once again far higher up the pitch than a traditional right-back, restored justice, volleying a shot past a helpless Guzan from the edge of the U.S. penalty area before diving into an advertisement board as Mexican supporters went into an frenzy.
Not in 16 years had the U.S. allowed such a late goal and not in 17 years had Mexico scored such a late goal.
Mexico's goal is latest allowed by USA since 1999, latest scored by Mexico since start of 1998 World Cup. #USAvsMEX
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 11, 2015
Chants of "Si Se Pudo" echoed around the Rose Bowl upon the final whistle, as Mexico's place at the 2017 Confederation had, deservedly, been confirmed.
xG map for USA-Mexico. A ridiculous match, and an unquestionably deserved result. pic.twitter.com/WHazz5twRd
— Michael Caley (@MC_of_A) October 11, 2015
Based off the CONCACAF Cup, Juan Carlos Osorio, appointed as the next manager of Mexico and watching the contest from a private box inside the stadium, must surely be happy at the materials with which he has to work.
Related: Juan Carlos Osorio appointed manager of Mexico
The 2017 Confederations Cup is scheduled to kick off on June 17 and will feature Russia, Mexico, Germany, Australia, Chile, and three other participants that have yet to be determined.
Felicidades, Mexico.
Copyright © 2015 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
Continue reading...
Tres a dos.
Another phenomenal chapter was written in the storied rivalry between Mexico and the United States Men's National Team on Saturday, as El Tri produced a stunning and deserved 3-2 victory in the CONCACAF Cup to punch its ticket to the 2017 Confederations Cup in Russia.
(Courtesy: Seleccion Nacional)
The fixture, taking place at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., in front of 93,723 supporters - most of whom were backing Mexico - not only lived up to the hype, but surpassed it in a way that almost seemed inconceivable.
It was, simply put, 120 minutes of mesmerising football.
Mexico, abandoning its recent 5-3-2 formation in favour of a 4-4-2 that saw Rafa Marquez feature as a midfielder, required no time to settle, opening the scoring in the 10th minute when Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez scored his first-ever goal against the U.S. by capping off an excellent passing sequence.
Related: 'Chicharito' opens scoring for Mexico off Peralta's cheeky dummy
However, only five minutes later, the U.S. responded with a goal of its own as Geoff Cameron, left unmarked by Marquez, equalised by heading home a free-kick from none other than Michael Bradley.
Related: Geoff Cameron levels score off Michael Bradley curler
Cameron's goal triggered a U-turn in the match. Jurgen Klinsmann's diamond midfield flattened in order to shut down Mexico's attacks on the flanks, and Jermaine Jones and Gyasi Zardes switched positions, the latter taking the former's role on the right side of the pitch and vice versa. For the rest of the half, the U.S. sat deep, comfortably, and launched threatening counterattacks.
Klinsmann's side even got the better of a scuffle that broke out after Oribe Peralta and Brad Guzan collided, as a hot-headed Peralta was shown a yellow card.
How many times was "bro" said in this #USAvMEX rumble? #stats pic.twitter.com/nkz5NOl8z7
— Soccer Gods (@soccergods) October 11, 2015
Then came the interval.
From the moment the second half began, Mexico suffocated the U.S., achieving a Barcelona-esque 75 percent of possession within the first 10 minutes. Its pressure should have been rewarded on the hour mark, but Chicharito, in a microcosm of his club form, was unable to take clean shot from inside his opposition's six-yard box.
Somehow, despite a complete lack of awareness from Klinsmann regarding substitutions and allowing Mexico far too much time and space on the ball, the U.S. forced extra-time. Both teams looked gassed at that point, and Jones, in particular, looked like he had nothing left to give.
What transpired in extra-time, though, was nothing short of remarkable.
In the 94th minute, Mexico finally found the go-ahead goal it had been searching for when a surging Paul Aguilar, whose charges down the right flank were relentless throughout the game, got a touch to an aerial ball, allowing Peralta to one-time the ball into the back of the net.
Given that the U.S. looked like it had nothing left to offer, it seemed like the goal would prove to be the winner. Mexico's superiority had been on display from the moment the second half kicked off, and there was no evidence to suggest that the Americans had another goal in them as Klinsmann refused to use his last substitution.
I can't think of a single, logical reason to hold onto a sub at this point. This is a level of ludicrousness Terry Gilliam couldn't touch.
— Matthew Doyle (@MLSAnalyst) October 11, 2015
Enter Bobby Wood, the second of Klinsmann's substitutions and the man who rescued the U.S. with game-winning goals in friendlies against the Netherlands and Germany in June.
Wood's 108th-minute equaliser was a reminder of how unjust football can be, and the blame was squarely on Hector Moreno for his shambolic defending.
Then, just when it seemed like nothing could make the fixture any crazier and that the match was headed for penalty kicks, Aguilar, once again far higher up the pitch than a traditional right-back, restored justice, volleying a shot past a helpless Guzan from the edge of the U.S. penalty area before diving into an advertisement board as Mexican supporters went into an frenzy.
Not in 16 years had the U.S. allowed such a late goal and not in 17 years had Mexico scored such a late goal.
Mexico's goal is latest allowed by USA since 1999, latest scored by Mexico since start of 1998 World Cup. #USAvsMEX
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 11, 2015
Chants of "Si Se Pudo" echoed around the Rose Bowl upon the final whistle, as Mexico's place at the 2017 Confederation had, deservedly, been confirmed.
xG map for USA-Mexico. A ridiculous match, and an unquestionably deserved result. pic.twitter.com/WHazz5twRd
— Michael Caley (@MC_of_A) October 11, 2015
Based off the CONCACAF Cup, Juan Carlos Osorio, appointed as the next manager of Mexico and watching the contest from a private box inside the stadium, must surely be happy at the materials with which he has to work.
Related: Juan Carlos Osorio appointed manager of Mexico
The 2017 Confederations Cup is scheduled to kick off on June 17 and will feature Russia, Mexico, Germany, Australia, Chile, and three other participants that have yet to be determined.
Felicidades, Mexico.
Copyright © 2015 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
Continue reading...
