Deji WilliamsThe rivalry between the United States and Mexico has long been one of the fiercest in international football, and it’s only grown more intense in the 21st century. With both nations so closely intertwined geographically and culturally, every match feels significant—even friendly encounters like Tuesday’s clash in Guadalajara. However, it’s the competitive fixtures that have truly captured the hearts of fans, showcasing thrilling moments and unforgettable performances.
The rivalry reached a new height during the 2002 World Cup, when the USMNT achieved a historic victory over El Tri in the knockout stage. Since then, there have been numerous memorable matches that have defined the US-Mexico landscape. Here’s a look back at five of the most important encounters over the past 25 years, from World Cup triumphs to stunning individual performances.
- 2002 World Cup: USA 2 – 0 Mexico This match remains a cornerstone of the rivalry. The USMNT stunned Mexico in the Round of 16, securing a 2-0 victory that propelled them to the quarterfinals and solidified their place in World Cup history.
- 2009: “Dos a Cero” in Columbus The USMNT continued their dominance in World Cup qualifiers with a 3-2 win at home, reaffirming their strength on the road to South Africa 2010. The “Dos a Cero” scoreline has become iconic in the rivalry, representing American success against their southern neighbors.
- 2011 Gold Cup Final: USA 2 – 4 Mexico In a thrilling encounter, Mexico emerged victorious at the Rose Bowl, showcasing their attacking prowess. This match highlighted Mexico’s resurgence in the rivalry and their ability to perform on big stages.
- 2015: “Dos a Cero” Again The U.S. secured another memorable 2-0 victory against Mexico, this time in the final of the 2015 CONCACAF Cup. Goals from Gyasi Zardes and John Brooks clinched the win and once again emphasized the USMNT’s ability to rise to the occasion.
- 2017: Gio Dos Santos’ Stunning Goal In a World Cup qualifier, Gio Dos Santos scored a spectacular long-range strike that became an instant classic. This match not only highlighted Mexico’s skill but also their determination to reclaim dominance in the rivalry.
As the USMNT and Mexico continue to clash on the pitch, fans can expect more unforgettable moments that add to this storied rivalry. Whether in World Cups, Gold Cups, or qualifiers, each match serves as a testament to the passion and intensity that defines U.S.-Mexico football. Stay tuned for the next chapter in this thrilling saga!
USA 2-0 Mexico, 2002 World Cup
Heading into the World Cup Round of 16 clash between the U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) and Mexico, few expected an American victory. Mexico, after all, was the undisputed powerhouse of CONCACAF, a nation with a rich soccer pedigree and a history of performing on the sport’s grandest stage. On the other hand, soccer had only begun to scratch the surface of mainstream consciousness in the U.S.
But that summer day in 2002 changed everything.
The match was fierce, a true World Cup knockout battle. Early on, the U.S. seized the advantage with a goal that set the tone. As Mexico pressed for an equalizer, the Americans held firm, and in the second half, Landon Donovan’s clinical header doubled the lead, sealing the result: 2-0. “Dos a Cero.”
For Mexico, the loss was a crushing upset. For the U.S., it was a watershed moment. The kings of CONCACAF had fallen, and more significantly, they had fallen when it truly mattered. The victory not only catapulted the U.S. into the quarterfinals but also shifted the narrative of American soccer.
Nearly 25 years later, that game remains a defining moment—a reference point for U.S. soccer’s rise on the global stage. It was the day the USMNT proved they could be more than just an underdog capable of snatching the odd result. They were a legitimate contender, capable of competing with the world’s best when the stakes were highest.
“Dos a Cero” became a rallying cry, a symbol of belief that U.S. soccer could carve out its own space in the sport’s elite. The rivalry with Mexico remains fierce, but that match in 2002 will always be remembered as the moment the U.S. made their mark.
Mexico 4-2 USMNT, 2011 Gold Cup final
For years, Mexico’s Estadio Azteca had been a daunting fortress for the U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT). Yet, on home soil, the story had been different. By the time the two fierce rivals faced off in the 2011 Gold Cup final, Bob Bradley’s USMNT had developed a solid record against El Tri, losing only one of their last 11 meetings in the U.S. Confidence was high, but what unfolded that night at the Rose Bowl would change the course of American soccer.
With over 90,000 fans—most cheering for Mexico—the U.S. started the match in ideal fashion. They quickly raced to a 2-0 lead, looking in control and poised to claim another trophy. The goals came early, and it seemed as though Bradley’s men were ready to lift the cup. But Mexico had other ideas.
Before halftime, Mexico clawed their way back into the match, equalizing with two goals of their own. The momentum had shifted dramatically, and by the time the second half started, the U.S. found themselves overwhelmed by Mexico’s relentless attack. The final blow came when Giovani Dos Santos scored a stunning chip, leaving the U.S. defense scrambling and sealing a 4-2 win for El Tri.
For the USMNT, this collapse—surrendering a commanding lead and being outclassed in the second half—was a bitter pill to swallow. The loss would have profound consequences for the U.S. program. Despite a successful tenure that included guiding the team to the 2010 World Cup Round of 16, the nature of this defeat put immense pressure on Bob Bradley. It became clear that change was needed.
Shortly after the loss, the U.S. Soccer Federation made the decision to part ways with Bradley. His replacement would be Jurgen Klinsmann, a high-profile coach with the goal of taking the USMNT to the next level. The 2011 Gold Cup final marked not only a painful defeat but also a pivotal turning point in U.S. soccer history—one that set the stage for a new era under Klinsmann’s leadership.
Mexico 3-2 USA, 2015 CONCACAF Cup
The exact purpose of the 2015 CONCACAF Cup might not be crystal clear to everyone, but for fans of the U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) and Mexico, the stakes were high enough. The winner of this one-off match earned a spot in the now-defunct Confederations Cup, but the true weight of the game was defined by the historic rivalry between the two sides. Any clash between the U.S. and Mexico, with something on the line, always carried significant meaning—and this match would become an instant classic.
Held at the iconic Rose Bowl, the setting was as intense as the game itself. Temperatures soared to nearly 100 degrees, adding another layer of challenge as the two teams went toe-to-toe. Mexico struck first, with Javier “Chicharito” Hernández putting his team ahead early, silencing the pockets of U.S. fans in the sea of green-clad supporters.
But the USMNT, as they’ve so often done in this rivalry, found a way to respond. Geoff Cameron leveled the score with a well-timed goal, keeping the game on edge. As the heat bore down and the minutes ticked away, the match headed into extra time, with neither side willing to back down.
Extra time was just as thrilling as the previous 90 minutes, with both teams exchanging goals once again. But in the 118th minute, with penalties looming, Paul Aguilar delivered a stunning blow to the U.S. hopes. Latching onto a ball that fell just right, Aguilar struck a powerful volley past Brad Guzan, sealing Mexico’s 3-2 victory.
The match was a heartbreaker for the USMNT and their fans, but it stood as another remarkable chapter in the storied rivalry. Despite the CONCACAF Cup’s unclear long-term significance, the 2015 showdown in the heat of the Rose Bowl will be remembered as one of the most dramatic encounters between the two North American giants.
The 2021 Nations League Final: Christian Pulisic’s Heroic Moment
Christian Pulisic. 114th minute. Bang. In what was easily the most chaotic, thrilling, and intense game of the Gregg Berhalter era, the U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) pulled off an unforgettable victory over Mexico in the 2021 CONCACAF Nations League final. It was a match full of drama, twists, and nerves, and while the U.S. eventually triumphed, it was anything but comfortable.
Mexico stunned the USMNT from the very start, scoring in the opening minute to seize control. The early blow could have rattled the Americans, but they quickly composed themselves. Gio Reyna brought the U.S. back into the game in the 27th minute, finishing off a rebound to level the score. The game was back on, and the battle between these two fierce rivals only intensified.
El Tri found the back of the net once again to regain their lead, but the U.S. wasn’t done. With just 10 minutes remaining in regulation, Weston McKennie rose above the Mexican defense to head home a corner, sending the match into extra time with the score locked at 2-2.
Then came the moment that would define the final. In the 114th minute, Christian Pulisic was brought down in the box, and after a dramatic VAR review, a penalty was awarded to the U.S. Stepping up under immense pressure, Pulisic hammered the ball into the top corner, giving the U.S. a late 3-2 lead and sending the American fans into a frenzy.
But the drama wasn’t over yet. In the dying moments, Mexico was awarded a penalty of their own, setting up a nail-biting finish. With the U.S. lead hanging by a thread, backup goalkeeper Ethan Horvath—who had come on after an injury to Zack Steffen—delivered a moment of pure magic. Horvath guessed right and saved Andrés Guardado’s spot-kick, preserving the U.S. victory.
The final whistle blew, and the USMNT had claimed a hard-fought, exhausting, but unforgettable 3-2 win over Mexico. The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, marking the high point of Berhalter’s tenure and solidifying the team’s resilience on the big stage. For fans, the 2021 Nations League final will forever be remembered for Pulisic’s 114th-minute penalty and Horvath’s heroic save—a night when everything came together for the U.S. in the most dramatic fashion possible.
The 2007 Gold Cup Final: A Turning Point for the USMNT
Context is key when looking back at the 2007 Gold Cup final. By the time the U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) arrived at Soldier Field to face Mexico, they had been cruising through the tournament. The group stage had been a breeze, and while Panama and Canada provided some tense moments in the knockout rounds, the U.S. entered the final in a rich vein of form.
Mexico’s journey, on the other hand, had been far from smooth. El Tri finished second in their group, barely scraped past Costa Rica in extra time, and edged Guadeloupe in the semifinals. For once, the USMNT found themselves as the favorites against their biggest rivals—a rare occurrence at the time. With Mexico struggling, it felt like the perfect moment for the U.S. to assert their dominance and claim a resounding victory.
But as the game began, things didn’t go according to plan. Mexico struck first, and the USMNT went into halftime trailing 1-0. The excitement and optimism surrounding the U.S. seemed to fade, and it looked as if their rivals might steal the show on American soil. Yet, as they had done so often under Bob Bradley, the U.S. found a way to fight back.
The second half was a different story. Landon Donovan, who had become the face of the U.S. team, scored a crucial penalty to level the score. From there, the momentum shifted. Benny Feilhaber delivered one of the most memorable goals in U.S. soccer history—a stunning volley from outside the box that sent the crowd into a frenzy. The U.S. held on to win 2-1, capturing their second consecutive Gold Cup title and the only major trophy of Bob Bradley’s tenure.
This victory at Soldier Field marked an important moment for the USMNT. Not only did it affirm their rise as a regional powerhouse, but it also set the stage for future successes against their long-time rivals. The 2007 Gold Cup final was a gritty, hard-fought battle that ended with the U.S. lifting the trophy, symbolizing the team’s growing belief that they could consistently compete—and win—against Mexico.
