Mexico–United States soccer rivalry
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Locale | North America (CONCACAF) |
---|---|
Teams | ![]() ![]() |
First meeting | 24 May 1934 Stadio Nazionale Rome, Italy (MEX 2–4 USA) |
Latest meeting | 1 August 2021 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup Final Allegiant Stadium Paradise, Nevada United States (USA 1–0 MEX) |
Next meeting | 12 November 2021 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier TQL Stadium Cincinnati, Ohio United States |
Statistics | |
Meetings total | 72 |
Most wins | ![]() |
All-time series | 36–15–21 (W–D–L) (Mexico)[1] |
Largest victory | 12 September 1937 (MEX 7–2 USA) |
A sports rivalry exists between the national soccer teams of Mexico and the United States, widely considered the two major powers of CONCACAF. The first match was played in 1934, and the teams have met 72 times, with Mexico leading the overall series 36–15–21 (W–D–L).
Matches between the two nations often attract much media attention, public interest, and comment in both countries. The U.S.-Mexico matches are widely attended; several matches at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico have drawn over 100,000 fans, and several matches at the Rose Bowl in the United States have drawn over 90,000 fans.
The most important matchups take place in quadrennial FIFA World Cup qualification matches and major tournaments such as the CONCACAF Gold Cup. The rivalry plays out often in annual friendlies scheduled during the early months in U.S. cities with large Mexican American populations such as Los Angeles, Houston, and Chicago.
History[]
Origin[]
The first match between the two sides was a qualifying match in Italy for the final ticket to the 1934 World Cup. The U.S. had established a professional league in 1921, but it had folded in 1933. The final score was United States 4–2 Mexico. In September 1937, Mexico began a winning streak over the U.S. in friendlies 7–2, 7–3, and 5–1 in Mexico City.
Results[]
Summary[]
Mexico leads the series 36–15–21, with almost double the goals of the U.S. (144–84).
Years | Matches | For Mexico | Draw | For USA | Goals |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
All Time | 72 | 36 | 15 | 21 | Mexico 144–84 United States |
1930s–1940s | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | Mexico 38–12 United States |
1950s–1960s | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | Mexico 30–8 United States |
1970s–1980s | 12 | 10 | 1 | 1 | Mexico 27–7 United States |
1990s | 14 | 5 | 6 | 3 | Mexico 17–15 United States |
2000s | 16 | 4 | 2 | 10 | Mexico 13–23 United States |
2010s | 13 | 5 | 4 | 4 | Mexico 17–15 United States |
2020s | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Mexico 2–4 United States |
Main Championship Titles | Mexico | United States |
---|---|---|
FIFA Confederations Cup* | ||
CONCACAF Gold Cup | ||
CONCACAF Nations League | ||
CONCACAF Championship* |
*no longer played
Gold Cup finals[]
The United States and Mexico have met in seven Gold Cup finals to date, with Mexico holding a five games to two lead over the United States.
Tournament | Winner | Final Score | Runner-up |
---|---|---|---|
1993 | ![]() Mexico |
4–0 | ![]() United States |
1998 | ![]() Mexico |
1–0 | ![]() United States |
2007 | ![]() United States |
2–1 | ![]() Mexico |
2009 | ![]() Mexico |
5–0 | ![]() United States |
2011 | ![]() Mexico |
4–2 | ![]() United States |
2019 | ![]() Mexico |
1–0 | ![]() United States |
2021 | ![]() United States |
1–0 | ![]() Mexico |
Nations League finals[]
Tournament | Winner | Final Score | Runner-up |
---|---|---|---|
2021 | ![]() United States |
3–2 | ![]() Mexico |
List of matches[]
Date | Location | Competition | Result | Attendance | Series (W-D-L) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
May 24, 1934 | ![]() |
1934 FIFA World Cup qualifier | ![]() |
10,000 | 1–0–0 USA |
September 12, 1937 | ![]() |
Friendly | ![]() |
21,000 | 1–0–1 |
September 19, 1937 | ![]() |
![]() |
22,000 | 2–0–1 MEX | |
September 26, 1937 | ![]() |
3–0–1 MEX | |||
July 13, 1947 | ![]() |
1947 NAFC Championship | ![]() |
5,400 | 4–0–1 MEX |
September 4, 1949 | ![]() |
1949 NAFC Championship[n 1] | ![]() |
60,000 | 5–0–1 MEX |
September 18, 1949 | ![]() |
54,500 | 6–0–1 MEX | ||
January 10, 1954 | 1954 FIFA World Cup qualifier | ![]() |
60,000 | 7–0–1 MEX | |
January 14, 1954 | ![]() |
40,000 | 8–0–1 MEX | ||
April 7, 1957 | ![]() |
1958 FIFA World Cup qualifier | ![]() |
75,000 | 9–0–1 MEX |
April 28, 1957 | ![]() |
![]() |
12,500 | 10–0–1 MEX | |
November 6, 1960 | ![]() |
1962 FIFA World Cup qualifier | 3–3 | 8,000 | 10–1–1 MEX |
November 13, 1960 | ![]() |
![]() |
80,000 | 11–1–1 MEX | |
March 7, 1965 | ![]() |
1966 FIFA World Cup qualifier | 2–2 | 19,337 | 11–2–1 MEX |
March 12, 1965 | ![]() |
![]() |
64,285 | 12–2–1 MEX | |
September 3, 1972 | ![]() |
1974 FIFA World Cup qualifier | ![]() |
29,891 | 13–2–1 MEX |
September 10, 1972 | ![]() |
![]() |
9,620 | 14–2–1 MEX | |
October 16, 1973 | ![]() |
Friendly | ![]() |
14,000 | 15–2–1 MEX |
September 5, 1974 | ![]() |
![]() |
25,000 | 16–2–1 MEX | |
September 8, 1974 | ![]() |
![]() |
22,164 | 17–2–1 MEX | |
August 24, 1975 | ![]() |
![]() |
18–2–1 MEX | ||
October 3, 1976 | ![]() |
1978 FIFA World Cup qualifier | 0–0 | 31,171 | 18–3–1 MEX |
October 15, 1976 | ![]() |
![]() |
35,000 | 19–3–1 MEX | |
September 27, 1977 | ![]() |
Friendly | ![]() |
20,000 | 20–3–1 MEX |
November 9, 1980 | ![]() |
1982 FIFA World Cup qualifier | ![]() |
90,000 | 21–3–1 MEX |
November 23, 1980 | ![]() |
![]() |
2,126 | 21–3–2 MEX | |
October 17, 1984 | ![]() |
Friendly | ![]() |
22–3–2 MEX | |
March 12, 1991 | ![]() |
1991 North American Nations Cup | 2–2 | 6,261 | 22–4–2 MEX |
July 5, 1991 | 1991 CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinal | ![]() |
41,103 | 22–4–3 MEX | |
July 25, 1993 | ![]() |
1993 CONCACAF Gold Cup Final | ![]() |
120,000 | 23–4–3 MEX |
October 13, 1993 | ![]() |
Friendly | 1–1 | 23,927 | 23–5–3 MEX |
June 4, 1994 | ![]() |
![]() |
91,123 | 23–5–4 MEX | |
June 18, 1995 | ![]() |
1995 U.S. Cup | ![]() |
38,615 | 23–5–5 MEX |
July 17, 1995 | ![]() |
1995 Copa América quarterfinal | ![]() |
15,000 | 23–6–5 MEX[a] |
June 16, 1996 | ![]() |
1996 U.S. Cup | 2–2 | 92,216 | 23–7–5 MEX |
January 19, 1997 | 1997 U.S. Cup | ![]() |
31,725 | 24–7–5 MEX | |
April 20, 1997 | ![]() |
1998 FIFA World Cup qualifier | 2–2 | 57,877 | 24–8–5 MEX |
November 2, 1997 | ![]() |
0–0 | 115,000 | 24–9–5 MEX | |
February 15, 1998 | ![]() |
1998 CONCACAF Gold Cup Final | ![]() |
91,255 | 25–9–5 MEX |
March 13, 1999 | ![]() |
1999 U.S. Cup | ![]() |
50,234 | 26–9–5 MEX |
August 1, 1999 | ![]() |
1999 Confederations Cup semifinal | ![]() |
65,000 | 27–9–5 MEX |
June 11, 2000 | ![]() |
2000 U.S. Cup | ![]() |
45,008 | 27–9–6 MEX |
October 25, 2000 | ![]() |
Friendly | ![]() |
61,072 | 27–9–7 MEX |
February 28, 2001 | ![]() |
2002 FIFA World Cup qualifier | 24,329 | 27–9–8 MEX | |
July 1, 2001 | ![]() |
![]() |
110,000 | 28–9–8 MEX | |
April 3, 2002 | ![]() |
Friendly | ![]() |
48,476 | 28–9–9 MEX |
June 17, 2002 | ![]() |
2002 FIFA World Cup round of 16 | ![]() |
36,380 | 28–9–10 MEX |
May 8, 2003 | ![]() |
Friendly | 0–0 | 69,582 | 28–10–10 MEX |
April 28, 2004 | ![]() |
![]() |
45,048 | 28–10–11 MEX | |
March 27, 2005 | ![]() |
2006 FIFA World Cup qualifier | ![]() |
110,000 | 29–10–11 MEX |
September 3, 2005 | ![]() |
![]() |
24,685 | 29–10–12 MEX | |
February 7, 2007 | ![]() |
Friendly | 62,462 | 29–10–13 MEX | |
June 24, 2007 | ![]() |
2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup Final | ![]() |
60,000 | 29–10–14 MEX |
February 6, 2008 | ![]() |
Friendly | 2–2 | 70,103 | 29–11–14 MEX |
February 11, 2009 | ![]() |
2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier | ![]() |
23,776 | 29–11–15 MEX |
July 26, 2009 | ![]() |
2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup Final | ![]() |
79,156 | 30–11–15 MEX |
August 12, 2009 | ![]() |
2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier | ![]() |
110,000 | 31–11–15 MEX |
June 25, 2011 | ![]() |
2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup Final | ![]() |
93,420 | 32–11–15 MEX |
August 10, 2011 | ![]() |
Friendly | 1–1 | 30,138 | 32–12–15 MEX |
August 15, 2012 | ![]() |
![]() |
56,000 | 32–12–16 MEX | |
March 26, 2013 | 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier | 0–0 | 85,500 | 32–13–16 MEX | |
September 10, 2013 | ![]() |
![]() |
24,584 | 32–13–17 MEX | |
April 2, 2014 | ![]() |
Friendly | 2–2 | 59,066 | 32–14–17 MEX |
April 15, 2015 | ![]() |
![]() |
64,369 | 32–14–18 MEX | |
October 10, 2015 | ![]() |
CONCACAF Cup | ![]() |
93,420 | 33–14–18 MEX |
November 11, 2016 | ![]() |
2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier | ![]() |
24,650 | 34–14–18 MEX |
June 11, 2017 | ![]() |
1–1 | 71,537 | 34–15–18 MEX | |
September 11, 2018 | ![]() |
Friendly | ![]() |
40,194 | 34–15–19 MEX |
July 7, 2019 | ![]() |
2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup Final | ![]() |
62,493 | 35–15–19 MEX |
September 6, 2019 | ![]() |
Friendly | ![]() |
47,960 | 36–15–19 MEX |
June 6, 2021 | ![]() |
2021 CONCACAF Nations League Final | ![]() |
37,648 | 36–15–20 MEX |
August 1, 2021 | ![]() |
2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup Final | ![]() |
61,514 | 36–15–21 MEX |
November 12, 2021 | ![]() |
2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier | |||
March 24, 2022 | ![]() |
Player eligibility[]
The United States and Mexico also compete to convince players who are eligible to play for both the United States and Mexico (e.g., a player who was born in the United States to Mexican parents) to play for their particular national team. To date, only two players, Martín Vásquez and Edgar Castillo have played for both nations. Castillo, who was born in Las Cruces, New Mexico, debuted with the Mexican side in August 2007 for a match that was part of the 2008 CONCACAF Men Pre-Olympic Tournament. Castillo played his first game for the United States, a friendly against Denmark in 2009.
Other cases include William Yarbrough, Isaác Brizuela, Miguel Ponce, Jonathan González and more recently with Efraín Álvarez.
William Yarbrough – born March 20, 1989 in Aguascalientes, Mexico to American parents, has an extensive career with Liga MX club León. Yarbrough did participate with a Mexico U20 squad in 2007 but did not obtain any playing minutes. In March 2015 he appears for the U.S. team in a friendly against Switzerland.
Isaác Brizuela – born August 28, 1990 in San Jose, California to Mexican parents. Brizuela has made an entire career with Liga MX clubs Toluca, Atlas and Guadalajara. He was part of the Mexican delegation that obtained the gold medal in the 2011 Pan American Games. He makes his full appearance with Mexico in 2013.
Miguel Ponce – born April 12, 1989 in Sacramento holds an extensive career with Liga MX clubs Chivas Guadalajara, Toluca and Necaxa. Ponce was part of the Mexico squads that took part in the 2011 Copa América, obtained gold medals at the 2011 Pan American Games and the 2012 Olympic Games. Makes his full appearance scoring one goal at the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Jonathan González – born April 13, 1999 in Santa Rosa to Mexican parents. A product of the U.S. national team youth program, González was part of the U.S. U20 squad that won the 2017 CONCACAF U-20 Championship. In 2014 he enters Liga MX club Monterrey's juvenile program and is eventually promoted to the senior squad in July 2017. In December 2017 González publicly states his wish to represent Mexico on the official scale. In January 2018 FIFA granted his request and he made his full appearance with Mexico on January 31 in a friendly match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. González has also been involved in Mexico's youth squad projects such as the 2018 Toulon Tournament in which Mexico's U20 ended as runner-ups of the tournament.
Efraín Álvarez - born June 19, 2002 in Los Angeles, California to Mexican parents, Álvarez, a product of the LA Galaxy youth reserve made his first team debut appearance with the Galaxy in March 2019. In 2015 Álvarez made appearances with the United States U15 squad leaving a good impression on the youth level scene. However, a snubbing in part of US Soccer in 2016 made Álvarez reconsider on whether to continue in the US youth development program or move to Mexico. During the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup he scored 4 goals for the Mexico U17 squad which earned him good press reviews. In November 2020, he was called up for a senior U.S. national team training camp session prior to a friendly match against El Salvador which was to take place on December 9. However, he did not receive any playing minutes as his FIFA clearance eligibility had not been met. In March 2021, he was listed on both the U.S. and Mexican Olympic team preliminary rosters but his clearance situation was still undetermined. Finally in March 2021, Álvarez accepts call-ups to the senior Mexican national squad making his debut appearance on March 30 in a friendly match against Costa Rica. On July 10, 2021, Efraín Álvarez became officially cap-tied to the Mexican national team due to having relieved an injured Hirving Lozano early on against Trinidad and Tobago in the opening match of the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Incidents[]
Prior to an Olympic qualifying game in Guadalajara, Mexico, on February 10, 2004, Mexican media reported that U.S. player Landon Donovan urinated on the field during practice, which angered Mexican fans and media outlets.[3] Subsequent video showed Donovan actually urinated near some bushes outside the practice areas. Two days later, on February 12, 2004, Mexico defeated the U.S. 4–0, and the crowd was heard chanting "Osama, Osama, Osama", in reference to Osama bin Laden and the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.[4]
In a friendly held in Glendale, Arizona on February 7, 2007, Landon Donovan scored in injury time to give the U.S. a 2–0 lead and win over Mexico. After the goal, Mexico goalkeeper Oswaldo Sánchez tried to trip U.S. player Eddie Johnson as Johnson was running to celebrate the goal. No contact was made, and no reprimand resulted.[5]
On February 11, 2009, the first qualifier for the 2010 World Cup was held in Columbus Crew Stadium, and resulted in a 2–0 victory for the U.S. against Mexico. After the game, as both teams headed through the tunnels to the locker room, Mexican assistant coach Francisco "Paco" Javier Ramírez slapped Frankie Hejduk in the face.[6] Hejduk did not retaliate, and Ramirez was not reprimanded.
On June 6, 2021, in the first CONCACAF Nations League final at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, the game between the two rivals was marred by several incidents of overly physical play, team brawls, and the injuries sustained by US player Gio Reyna after being hit by a fan-thrown projectile after the US took the lead 3–2.
Women's soccer[]
The two countries also have a rivalry between their women's teams, though the United States has won most matchups.
On January 28, 2018, the Mexican U-20 squad defeated the United States' team in the finals of the 2018 CONCACAF Women's U-20 Championship. After a 1–1 draw in the first 90 minutes, Mexico won the match on penalty kicks, scoring 4 against the U.S. total of 2. It was the third time the CONCACAF U-20 Championship featured U.S. and Mexico in the final game, and the first time that Mexico won.[7]
Summary[]
The United States leads the series 39–1–1, outscoring Mexico 171–15.
List of Matches[]
Date | Location | Competition | Result | Attendance | Series (W-D-L) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
April 18, 1991 | ![]() |
1991 Concacaf Championship | ![]() |
40,000 | 1-0-0 USA |
August 13, 1994 | ![]() |
1994 Concacaf Championship | ![]() |
1,821 | 2-0-0 USA |
September 12, 1998 | ![]() |
Friendly | ![]() |
35,462 | 3-0-0 USA |
March 28, 1999 | ![]() |
![]() |
21,000 | 4-0-0 USA | |
May 5, 2000 | ![]() |
![]() |
6,517 | 5-0-0 USA | |
December 10, 2000 | ![]() |
![]() |
11,121 | 6-0-0 USA | |
January 12, 2002 | ![]() |
![]() |
5,634 | 7-0-0 USA | |
October 27, 2002 | ![]() |
2002 Gold Cup | ![]() |
5,568 | 8-0-0 USA |
September 7, 2003 | ![]() |
Friendly | ![]() |
13,510 | 9-0-0 USA |
November 3, 2003 | ![]() |
Friendly | ![]() |
23,176 | 10-0-0 USA |
February 29, 2004 | ![]() |
2004 Olympic Qualifying | ![]() |
3,000 | 11-0-0 USA |
March 5, 2004 | ![]() |
![]() |
2,500 | 12-0-0 USA | |
May 9, 2004 | ![]() |
Friendly | ![]() |
17,805 | 13-0-0 USA |
October 16, 2004 | ![]() |
![]() |
20,435 | 14-0-0 USA | |
December 8, 2004 | ![]() |
![]() |
15,549 | 15-0-0 USA | |
October 23, 2005 | ![]() |
![]() |
4,261 | 16-0-0 USA | |
September 13, 2006 | ![]() |
![]() |
6,784 | 17-0-0 USA | |
November 22, 2006 | ![]() |
2006 Gold Cup | ![]() |
6,128 | 18-0-0 USA |
April 14, 2007 | ![]() |
Friendly | ![]() |
18,184 | 19-0-0 USA |
October 13, 2007 | ![]() |
![]() |
10,861 | 20-0-0 USA | |
October 17, 2007 | ![]() |
![]() |
10,006 | 21-0-0 USA | |
October 20, 2007 | ![]() |
1-1 | 8,972 | 21-1-0 USA | |
April 6, 2008 | ![]() |
2008 Olympic Qualifying | ![]() |
5,083 | 22-1-0 USA |
March 28, 2010 | ![]() |
Friendly | ![]() |
3,069 | 23-1-0 USA |
March 31, 2010 | ![]() |
![]() |
3,732 | 24-1-0 USA | |
November 5, 2010 | ![]() |
2010 World Cup Qualifying | ![]() |
8,374 | 24-1-1 USA |
June 5, 2011 | ![]() |
Friendly | ![]() |
5,852 | 25-1-1 USA |
January 24, 2012 | ![]() |
2012 Olympic Qualifying | ![]() |
7,599 | 26-1-1 USA |
September 3, 2013 | ![]() |
Friendly | ![]() |
12,594 | 27-1-1 USA |
September 13, 2014 | ![]() |
![]() |
8,849 | 28-1-1 USA | |
September 18, 2014 | ![]() |
![]() |
5,680 | 29-1-1 USA | |
October 24, 2014 | ![]() |
2014 Concacaf Championship | ![]() |
8,773 | 30-1-1 USA |
May 17, 2015 | ![]() |
Friendly | ![]() |
27,000 | 31-1-1 USA |
February 13, 2016 | ![]() |
2016 Olympic Qualifying | ![]() |
15,032 | 32-1-1 USA |
April 5, 2018 | ![]() |
Friendly | ![]() |
14,360 | 33-1-1 USA |
April 8, 2018 | ![]() |
![]() |
15,349 | 34-1-1 USA | |
October 4, 2018 | ![]() |
2018 Concacaf Championship | ![]() |
5,404 | 35-1-1 USA |
May 26, 2019 | ![]() |
Friendly | ![]() |
26,332 | 36-1-1 USA |
February 7, 2020 | ![]() |
2020 Olympic Qualifying | ![]() |
11,292 | 37-1-1 USA |
July 1, 2021 | ![]() |
Friendly | ![]() |
21,637 | 38-1-1 USA |
July 5, 2021 | ![]() |
27,758 | 39-1-1 USA |
In popular culture[]
A 2012 documentary, Gringos at the Gate / Ahi Vienen Los Gringos, written and directed by Pablo Miralles, Roberto Donati, and Michael Whalen,[8] focuses on the cultural differences between the United States and Mexico when it comes to football. This includes the conflict of Mexican-American players in the U.S. while their family might support Mexico.[9]
See also[]
Notes[]
- ^ Matches that go to penalty shootouts are always counted as ties by FIFA, regardless of which team won.
- ^ Matches were also qualifiers for the 1950 World Cup.
References[]
- ^ "Compare Teams". FIFA.com. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
- ^ "U.S. Soccer Selects Cincinnati as Host for USA-Mexico, Presented by Allstate, for November World Cup Qualifier". www.ussoccer.com. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
- ^ "EU – México | Donovan orinó la cancha del Jalisco". Es.rec.deportes.futbol.narkive.com. February 11, 2004. Retrieved July 29, 2015.
- ^ Whiteside, Kelly (February 12, 2004). "USATODAY.com – Notebook: Mexicans' behavior part of the game". Usatoday30.usatoday.com. Retrieved July 29, 2015.
- ^ "USA v Mexico 2/7/07". YouTube. Retrieved July 29, 2015.
- ^ "Frankie Hejduk Gets Slapped By a Mexican Coach". Bleacher Report. February 13, 2009. Retrieved July 29, 2015.
- ^ "USA falls to Mexico in PKs in CONCACAF Women's U-20 title match". soccerwire.com. January 29, 2018. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
- ^ "Gringos at the Gate (2012)". IMDb.com. Retrieved July 29, 2015.
- ^ [1] Archived November 1, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
External links[]
- Archive of U.S. national team results 1885-1979
- Archive of U.S. national team results 1980-
- Gringos at the Gate Documentary film about the U.S. and Mexico football rivalry
- Mexico–United States soccer rivalry
- International association football rivalries
- Mexico national football team
- History of the United States men's national soccer team
- Sports rivalries in the United States
- 1934 establishments in North America