Is Mexican Soccer not Scary Anymore?

The Mexican soccer federation just endured one of its hardest weeks. On Friday the 11th of November they lost for the third time in a row to the United States of America in a 2-0 win for the USA in Cincinnati. The major storyline before the game was how Mexico has been struggling against the USA, even though it is usually a rivalry that they dominate (36-15-22) all-time. The first game of this summer was on June 6th in Denver where the Americans won 3-2 after extra time. The second game this year was in Las Vegas at the Allegiant Stadium, and the USA won 1-0 in that contest after extra time.

The difference between those previous matches of the summer and this most recent is there were trophies on the line in the first was the inaugural CONCACAF nations league, and the other was the biggest tournament in the CONCACAF region, the Gold Cup.

To top it off a nation that certainly never troubles Mexico in soccer especially if the USA is their greatest nemesis, Canada defeated them in Edmonton 2-1 on Tuesday, November 16th.

For Mexico their standards and those results don’t correlate, currently, the standings for automatic qualification to the Qatar World Cup in 2022 are Canada, the USA, and Mexico but with 6 matches still to be determined, the points and standings are still up for grabs.

Maybe what hurts Mexico is being too arrogant. “Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa had said before the game that his team was the “mirror in which the United States wants to see itself”, with that comment in mind USA star Christian Pulisic after scoring in the 74th minute after just being subbed on in the 69th revealed a shirt with a message “man in the mirror”.

Is this tide turning in CONCACAF? Forever the USA has had some quality teams but when they play against Mexico they look scared or play Mexico not the same way as their other opponents. This current squad plays for major club teams overseas, the moment doesn’t seem too big for them against Mexico which is the same mindset they will need to compete against an even higher level tier of soccer when you get to the World Cup.