The stakes were high in Pasadena, as 2015 Gold Cup champion Mexico took on the United States at the Rose Bowl for a spot in the 2017 Confederations Cup. With 93,723 fans filling the stands, the stadium was electric. What stood out the most, the crowd that was obviously in Mexico’s favor. Despite CONCACAF’s attempt to even out the crowd, 70% was in green.
In Ricardo “Tuca” Ferretti’s second to final game as Mexico’s manager, the team rolled out a 4-3-3 formation. Many questioned the decision but El Tri came out hot.
In just the 10th minute, Raul Jimenez sent a pass from the right wing to Oribe Peralta, who was inside the box. Peralta dribbled the ball towards American goalkeeper Brad Guzan and found Javier Hernandez running down from the top of the box. Hernandez was then able to tap the ball into goal, giving Mexico an early 1-0 lead.
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It did not take long for the United States to respond. DaMarcus Beasley was taken down from behind, setting up a Michael Bradley free kick. Bradley was able to find an unmarked Geoff Cameron, who was able to head it in to tie the game up on the 15th minute.
The game got heated on the 34th minute when Mexico’s Oribe Peralta challenged Brad Guzan. The US goalkeeper had already secured the ball on the ground but Peralta slid in, which caused a heated exchange between the two. Once everything had settled, Peralta was shown a yellow card.
Bradley came very close to giving the US the lead before the first half came to an end. Hector Moreno drew a yellow card, the third for Mexico by the 44th minute, after fouling Jozy Altidore just outside of the box. Bradley was able to bend the ball past the defenders but Moises Munoz was able to stop the low ball.
The second half began very much like the first, with Mexico attacking. The 49th minute saw Jimenez put a ball right in front of goal for Hernadez, who whiffed on a wide open net.
Mexico continued to dominate the second half but couldn’t put a good shot on goal. Opportunities were scarce for both sides, and one must commend Cameron and Matt Besler for their work on the defensive end. Mexico overpowered the US in getting crosses in, but the American duo were up to the task, redirecting El Tri’s attack.
This would eventually help send the game into extra time.
Mexico kept pressing in extra time and it finally paid off. Hector Herrera sent a long ball to Aguilar, who was in the box. The ball was slightly long but Aguilar was able to kick the ball towards the middle of the box, where a wide open Peralta put the ball in to give Mexico a 2-1 lead on the 96th minute.
Like in much of the game, the US proved to be very potent when given opportunities in the box. DeAndre Yedlin took the ball towards the center of Mexico’s box in the second half of extra time and was able to find Bobby Wood to his right, who then squeaked the ball by Munoz to tie the game up 2-2 on the 108th minute.
The game looked as if it were to go into penalties but Mexico were able to pull it out late. On the 118th minute, Jimenez sent a ball backwards after the US attempted to clear it. Aguilar set himself up for a volley just inside of the box and sent a rocket past Guzan for the game winner.
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With the victory, Mexico takes a spot in the 2017 Confederations Cup in Russia.
Ferretti’s final game as manager will be on October 13th, as Mexico will take on Panama in Toluca.
As for the United States,