Mexico beats U.S. to start new Javier Aguirre era
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Staff Reports, Staff reports
- October 16, 2024
Mexico snaps eight-game winless streak against U.S.
In the big picture, there wasn’t much at stake Tuesday night when Mexico faced the United States in a friendly soccer match in Guadalajara. Considering the Americans’ recent dominance, though, El Tri needed to make a statement.
Mexico and its diehard soccer fans rejoiced after El Tri beat the U.S. 2-0 at Estadio Akron. The victory before a raucous crowd of 43,537 snapped the Americans’ seven-game undefeated streak against their bitter rivals.
“We got the victory today, and we’re leaving on a positive note,” said Raul Jimenez, who opened the scoring with a brilliant free kick. “We have to keep doing what we are doing.”
Raul Jimenez strikes first
Mexico took an early lead in the 22nd minute when Jimenez slotted a free kick into the upper right corner. U.S. goalkeeper Matt Turner barely got a glove on the Fulham FC forward’s blast. With his 34th international goal, Jimenez moved into a tie for fifth on El Tri’s all-time scoring list.
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Jimenez, 33, then helped El Tri take a 2-0 lead early in the second half. He stole the ball from U.S. veteran captain Tim Ream with a brilliant tackle. Then Jimenez passed to Cesar Huerta, who scored from about 13 yards out in the 49th minute.
“It’s the greatest feeling,” Huerta said. “Wearing this jersey is an honor. I know there’s a lot of competition, but we have to keep grinding.”
Playing its second match under new coach Mauricio Pochettino, the U.S. never recovered. The U.S. was playing without star Christian Pulisic, who left the U.S. camp along with four others to return to their club teams after Saturday’s match against Panama.
Pochettino tastes Mexico rivalry
Pulisic was one of only two players missing from the lineup Pochettino deployed in the 2-0 victory over Panama. Tuesday marked the first time Pochettino has participated in the biggest rivalry in Concacaf. El Tri coach Javier Aguirre and his top assistant Rafael Marquez are veterans of the heated rivalry.
Aguirre is back in charge of El Tri in part because recent coaches have failed against their northern rivals. The U.S. had five victories and two ties against Mexico since El Tri’s last victory in the rivalry.
“The things about the past, I didn’t see any of (the players) affected by it,” Aguirre said. “I understand what it means in terms of the national team, but I saw them measured and very concentrated on delivering a better game.
“It wasn’t the best game we’ve had, but we’ve only had four (since returning as coach). But the result is good. We leave happy, yes.”
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