Despite the fact that he controlled the game and enjoyed more and better chances, Mexico did not go beyond a draw in their friendly against USA and thus extended his worrying slump against his great rival, whom he has not beaten for almost four years (1-1).
The State Farm Stadium in Glendale (Phoenix, USA), the venue where the last edition of the Super Bowl was held, experienced a fantastic atmosphere with the stands practically full (55,730 spectators) and dyed green by a Mexican fan base who, however, was left with honey on his lips.
Antuna, after a blunder by Long, put a Mexican team ahead that had numerous opportunities to seal the match. But the team led by the Argentine Diego Cocca ended up paying dearly for their lack of aim and conceded the equalizer in the 82nd minute with a goal from the Colombian-American Ferreira in a counterattack for a USA that signed a gray performance but ended rescuing a tie.
Since September 2019, in another friendly, Mexico has not subdued the US, whom it has faced four times since then (not counting yesterday) with one draw and three losses (including the lost Cup finals). Gold and the Concacaf Nations League). Since Cocca took over, El Tri has won one (Suriname) and drawn twice (Jamaica and USA).
Although the star players of both squads were missing because it was not a FIFA date, this match served as a preview for the semifinal of the League of Nations that will be played by Mexico and the US in June.
In addition, this friendly kicked off the Allstate Continental Classic, a US initiative for the Stars and Stripes team to face a major rival from North, Central or South America each year.
Mexican control without award
With a line of five in defense leaving the entire two flanks to Julián Araujo and Gallardo, Mexico began pressing up and trying to dominate possession. However, El Tri almost got a scare from the start because in minute 5 Morris, taking advantage of a serious mistake in the pressure of the Mexicans, stood alone in front of Acevedo, who saved the shot from the American but almost conceded the goal Rebound.
The USA gave up the ball to a Mexico team that took control of the game but lacked depth. With a heavy rhythm and with difficulty breaking lines, the Mexican team found its first clear opportunity in minute 19 with a good wall down the middle between Chávez and Vega that the midfielder resolved with a cross shot that passed near the post.
The game continued to be locked until the break and only Chávez rounded up the goal again with a poisoned free kick that wandered through the heart of the area and went near the far post.
Dest and Julián Araujo, in a game play
He did not change the script at the restart and Mexico continued to try without success. But then there was a big mistake by Long, who lost a ball in the midfield and left Antuna alone, who, after a great ride, finished calmly and with great quality against the American goalkeeper.
The goal was wonderful for the Mexican team, who began to accumulate endless chances: a dangerous foul by Chávez, a shot from outside the area by De la Rosa, a missile from Sánchez who searched for the squad without finding it by centimeters…
With no news from the US, Mexico had their second with a terrific shot from Rodríguez that hit the crossbar. But it went from 0-2 in a flash to a tie for the US, which, in the following counterattack, took advantage of the gaps in the Mexican defense to sign the draw with a goal from Ferreira.
The tie left a Mexico that already saw itself as a winner very cold and touched, and that, despite being better than the US, recorded yet another disappointment against its eternal rival.
DATA SHEET
1 – USA: Johnson; Yedlin, Zimmerman, Long (Miazga, m.70), Dest (Wiley, m. 89); Acosta, Sands; Morris (Pomykal, m.89), Ferreira, Cowell (Soñora, m.64), Vázquez (m.64, Morris).
Coach: Anthony Hudson.
1 – Mexico: Acevedo; Julian Araujo, Reyes, Nestor Araujo, Guzman, Gallardo; Chavez, Sanchez; Antuna, De la Rosa (Herrera, m. 87), Vega (Rodríguez, m.70).
Coach: Diego Cocca.
goals: 0-1, Antuna (m. 55); 1-1, Ferreira (d. 82)
Referee: Bryan Lopez (Guatemala). He booked Soñora, Zimmerman and Acosta in the US.
incidents: Inaugural friendly match of the Allstate Continental Classic played at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale (Phoenix, USA) before 55,730 spectators (the venue’s capacity is 63,000 people, expandable to 73,000.
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