USA vs. Mexico live scores, highlights, and updates from World Cup qualifier
Everything you need to know about the big CONCACAF rivalry match between the USMNT and El Tri, updating live as it happens.
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The USMNT couldn’t hold off a late goal by Mexico’s Rafa Marquez and suffered a defeat at the hands of their rivals, 2-1.
Score
Second half: United States 1-2 Mexico.
First half: United States 0-1 Mexico.
Highlights
Mexico takes the late lead over the U.S., 2-1, off a goal by 37-year-old captain Rafa Marquez.
Tie game thanks to Bobby Wood taking an assist from Jozy Altidore and firing it home for the goal.
The U.S. fell behind Mexico thanks to Miguel Layun’s shot deflecting off a USMNT defender and into the net.
Injuries
U.S. goalie Tim Howard has left the field with an apparent injury and has been replaced by Brad Guzan.
Lineups
United States (3-4-1-2): Tim Howard; Matt Besler, John Brooks, Omar Gonzalez; Fabian Johnson, Michael Bradley, Jermaine Jones, Timothy Chandler; Christian Pulisic; Jozy Altidore, Bobby Wood
Mexico (4-2-3-1): Alfredo Talavera; Miguel Layun, Hector Moreno, Rafa Marquez, Diego Reyes; Andres Guardado, Hector Herrera; “Tecatito” Jesus Corona, Giovani dos Santos, Carlos Vela; “Chicharito” Javier Hernandez
A great thing about these lineups is that both shapes are guesses. Both teams have personnel on the pitch that could fit into a back three lineup just as easily as a back four lineup, and they might even shift between them if the game isn’t going how they like.
Before the match
North America’s premier soccer rivalry renews on Friday as the United States men’s national soccer team takes on Mexico in their first World Cup qualifier of this cycle. They’ll be the favorites to finish one-two in the final round of CONCACAF qualifying no matter the result of this game, but both would love to get off to an excellent start by sticking it to their rival.
For the uninitiated, this round of qualifying is nicknamed “the Hex” for the six teams that will all play each other twice, home and away. The United States is at home in this match, and as usual, will be playing the game in Columbus. The Americans will be hoping to post another “dos a cero” -- the USMNT has beaten Mexico 2-0 in this fixture four consecutive times. The USMNT has also won by that scoreline in three other friendlies, as well as in a famous win at the 2002 World Cup. But the tradition was started in 1991, when the USMNT upset Mexico with a 2-0 win in a Gold Cup semifinal.
Most of the talk in the buildup to this game has been about new American starlet Christian Pulisic, who will be facing off against Mexico in a competitive fixture for the first time. The 18-year-old has established himself as a first-team player for Borussia Dortmund and looked unfazed in big Champions League matches -- even against the likes of Real Madrid -- but it’s yet to be seen if he can handle the physical nature of a USMNT-Mexico rivalry game.
El Tri doesn’t lack for impressive young talent, either. Keep an eye out for 21-year-old winger Hirving Lozano, who’s become one of the top players in Liga MX over the last two seasons. He’s expected to make a big European move shortly.
Coverage of the game will get underway at 7 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1, with kickoff expected around 8. You can also catch the game in Spanish on Univision, and it’ll be online at the streaming platforms of those channels. During the game, we’ll have updates of everything that happens right here.
Pregame reading
The history of “dos a cero.” (Stars and Stripes FC)
What to watch for from Mexico’s point of view. (FMF State of Mind)
Why Christian Pulisic must start. (Stars and Stripes FC)
