Action from the last meeting between the USA (white jersey) and Mexico in the CONCACAF Cup on October 10, 2015, in Pasadena, California. (Photo: Victor Straffon/Straffon Images)
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Passions are stirred on both sides of the border every time the United States and Mexico meet.
In 65 all-time games between them, the Mexicans hold a 33-19 advantage in wins. Since the introduction of the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 1991, however, the rivalry has truly blossomed into one of the world’s most intense.
As Friday’s meeting in the final round of CONCACAF qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup approaches, the time is right to recall their classic clashes.
Here are seven to savor:
1991 CONCACAF Gold Cup, Semifinals
July 5, 1991: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum – Los Angeles, California, USA
United States 2, Mexico 0
In the inaugural Gold Cup, the USA shocked Mexico 2-0 on a pair of second-half goals. John Doyle (48’) and Peter Vermes (64’) found the back of the net, while goalkeeper Tony Meola recorded a shutout. The Bora Milutinovic-led Americans went on to lift the trophy, overcoming Honduras in the final on penalty kicks.
1993 CONCACAF Gold Cup, Final
July 25, 1993: Estadio Azteca – Mexico City, Mexico
Mexico 4, United States 0
Mexico captured the first of its seven Gold Cup crowns in stunning fashion. A Gold Cup record crowd of 130,800 witnessed the Tricolor seize a 2-0 halftime lead behind a tally by Ignacio Ambriz (11’) and an own-goal by Desmond Armstrong (30’). The host sealed the outcome as Luis Roberto Alves (70’) and Guillermo Cantu (79’) also netted.
1999 FIFA Confederations Cup, Semifinals
August 1, 1999: Estadio Azteca – Mexico City, Mexico
Mexico 1, United States 0
Cuauhtemoc Blanco beat goalkeeper Kasey Keller to net a golden goal seven minutes into extra time, boosting Mexico into the final. Mexico custodian Jorge Campos registered the clean sheet. The Mexicans defeated 1998 World Cup champion Brazil in the final, 4-3.
2002 FIFA World Cup Qualifying, Final Round
February 28, 2001: Columbus Crew Stadium – Columbus, Ohio, United States
United States 2, Mexico 0
The Americans had already had lost their most dangerous scoring threat, Brian McBride, to a swollen eye, and their best playmaker, Claudio Reyna, was hobbling with a strained groin muscle. In McBride's place entered the four-time capped Josh Wolff, who became the unlikely hero of a spectacular triumph. He scored the first goal two minutes into the second half and set up the second — a late tally by Earnie Stewart (87’).
2002 FIFA World Cup, Round of 16
June 17, 2002: Jeonju World Cup Stadium – Jeonju, Korea Republic
United States 2, Mexico 0
In a rare all-CONCACAF confrontation at the World Cup, the USA prevailed in the pairing’s most important encounter. McBride (8’) and Landon Donovan (65’) each scored to propel the Americans into the quarterfinals against Germany.
2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup, Final
June 25, 2011: Rose Bowl – Pasadena, California, USA
United States 2, Mexico 4
The old adage says that a 2-0 advantage is the most dangerous lead in football and Mexico proved it in front of 93,420 spectators. Michael Bradley (8’) and Donovan (23’) had put the Americans ahead, but the Tricolor roared in response. By halftime, it had equalized behind Pablo Barrera (29’) and Andres Guardado (36’), before Barrera (50’) struck again for a 3-2 lead. Giovani dos Santos (76’) added one of the greatest goals in Gold Cup history to punctuate the score.
2015 CONCACAF Cup
October 10, 2015: Rose Bowl – Pasadena, California, USA
Mexico 3, United States 2 (aet)
CONCACAF’s representative in the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup was decided by what amounted to a winner-take-all playoff between 2015 Gold Cup champion Mexico and 2013 Gold Cup champion USA. In a thrilling contest, Paul Aguilar’s brilliant 118th-minute goal gave Mexico a 3-2 win after extra time. The Tricolor struck first in the 10th minute through forward Javier Hernandez, who tallied his first-ever goal against the Americans. Five minutes later, Geoff Cameroon equalized, but that was to be the last goal until the 96th minute, when Oribe Peralta restored Mexico’s lead. Substitute Bobby Wood leveled in the 108th minute. Mexico, however, would not be denied victory.
