US-Mexico 'Continental Clasico' finishes in lackluster draw

The United States Men’s National Team and Mexico faced off Wednesday night in their inaugural Continental Clasico. Held annually, the match is intended to give both teams the best possible Concacaf competition each year. Nevertheless, Wednesday’s game was lackluster in quality in front of over 55,000 fans in Arizona.

Both sides started off slowly on the night. Jordan Morris, however, perhaps had the best scoring chance for the USMNT in the first five minutes of the match. The Seattle Sounders forward created chaos inside Mexico’s box, forcing Mexico goalkeeper Carlos Acevedo to quickly attempt a clearance. The ball deflected off of Morris and went just wide of the post.

Most of Mexico’s best chances in the opening period came from set pieces. Luis Chavez and Alexis Vega both put in dangerous free kicks into the area, but the passes ultimately couldn’t find teammates. The game went into halftime scoreless for the fourth consecutive matchup between the teams.

US Mexico Continental Clasico sees El Tri score first

El Tri finally broke the scoring drought with a goal in the 55th minute. Uriel Altuna capitalized on a mistake in defense by Aaron Long and dribbled the ball free from the middle of the pitch. Altuna converted the breakaway goal with a neat finish passed Sean Johnson in goal. It was the winger’s 11th goal for his country since making his senior debut in 2019.

Ferreira scores leveling goal after mazy run by Dest

The Yanks would, however, level the scoreline late in the match to extend their unbeaten run against their biggest rivals. Full back Sergino Dest started a counter attack after Mexico hit the post in the 81st minute.

Dest picked up the ball from Matt Miazga, weaved his way through multiple defenders, and slide a pass to Alan Sonora. Sonora found Morris out on the flank and the forward played a perfect cross towards Jesus Ferreira. Although the ball flicked off of a Mexican defender, Ferreira finished off the play for the goal.

The draw means that the USMNT have now not lost to Mexico in any of their five previous matchups. They are also 17-9-8 against their bitter rivals since 2000. Although the quality of the match was not particularly great, the USMNT was missing many of their European players. Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, Brenden Aaronson, Yunus Musah, Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna, Timothy Weah, and Ricardo Pepi were all omitted from the matchday squad.

Mexico and the USMNT will now both have almost two months off. The two teams next face each other in a Concacaf Nations League fixture on June 15th, live on Paramount+.

Photo: IMAGO / Sports Press Photo