Mexico ends seven-match winless run against the USA and hands Mauricio Pochettino his first defeat as head coach
Mexico ended a seven-match winless run against the United States, winning 2-0 in front of a raucous home crowd at Akron Stadium in Guadalajara. Striker Raúl Jiménez opened the scoring in the 22nd minute with a remarkable free kick from 30 yards out, which curled into the top corner of the net. Just four minutes into the second half, he assisted César Huerta, further securing Mexico’s triumph.
This loss is particularly disappointing for the U.S. team, which missed key players such as Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Ricardo Pepi, and Tim Weah, who have all returned to their respective clubs. Their replacements, however, failed to leave a strong impression on coach Mauricio Pochettino. “It wasn’t an outstanding performance, but this kind of match is ideal for us to gain experience,” the Argentine coach stated to the media. “Overall, Mexico performed slightly better and rightfully earned the win. For us, it’s a journey. This was a significant chance for our players to compete in a challenging environment. We can only develop and learn from this.”
The match also marked the emotional farewell of Mexico’s captain, Andrés Guardado, who played his 182nd and final game for ‘El Tri.’ The 38-year-old received a warm ovation from fans in his hometown as he kissed the badge on his jersey before being substituted after 18 minutes, with teammates congratulating him as he exited the field.
