Ill Classico, USMNT 1 v 1 Mexico
Not even a minute in and Vasquez takes a hard header to the back of his head, both players removed, then right back on again.
Cowell and Morris combine well as the first touch for Jordan betrays him a bit as the GK reels it in. Just a reminder this in NOT MLS where he leads in goals. At 10’, first 5 to the US, the next to El Tri. Mexico floats a cross just over the end line near the goal area. Dest, getting no support takes on 2, finally finds Vazquez who is ridden off the ball deep in the US defensive third. Cowell plays into the area, too many green shirts, it is knocked away. After a good 10 passes forward, the US bring it over into their half again. Yedlin plays one in from the wing, on the ground, cleared. Zimmerman for Cowell who feed Jesus, but the return pass is intercepted. Chavez from 22 yards just wide. Zimmerman, misplays the ball back to Johnson who gets it out under heavy pressure. DFK off another Yedlin foul from about 30 yards well left of the goal. The ball glances off the head of Arajo into the sure hands of Johnson. Just over half an hour in, the tide is going the way of Mexico. Cowell and Dest are left looking at each other as the ball goes just between them and to the feet of a Mexico player in the penalty area. A dummy, not disguised enough for Dest as he gives to Johnson who partially clears a ball deep in the area. Zimmerman finds Morris who gets it to Jesus, then back to Yedlin, just as they give up a good 50 yards to re build from the back. Ferreria passes to a green shirt, the US recovers it fast. Dest all but dribbles into Jesus. A ball floated out to the wing by the visitors, a beaten Morris is then able to get to it and nod it over the touchline. Sands, Dest and Johnson all on different pages for 2 balls, a recipe for disaster as the GK played a ball out beyond Sands, Dest not ready for it and it got a bit hectic. A ball into the 6, is headed out of play by Yedlin. A DFK from 25 yards just missed by Sands causes a rush from Johnson. With a minute left in regular time of the first half forward right, a player is left open by the US , Arajo sends in a weak shot right at Johnson.
Neither team putting any sort of a stamp on this game, the US have not put together much as far as offense goes, their midfield unable to hold the ball and a few dangerous times for their backline does not look promising.
26 seconds in Gallardo all but goes through the leg of Acosta as he strikes the bottom of Kellyn’s shoe. Cowell takes a shot, it is blocked into the path of Morris who is way wide from 8 yards. Arajo with a dummy, shielded by Long and a GK. A ball played in by Mexico is skied by Long then played out for a corner by Dest. Cowell steps up, wins a ball a touch too many and loses it over the touchline. The US again goes way back, Long can’t get to it as he goes to the ground, a 40 yard break away is finished by Mexico as Antuna goes near post 1-0 Mexico. 830’ of no goal playing in net for the USA, a team record for Sean has been ended. Yedlin still has some of that speed as he gets in front of the attacker to play it out as he is fouled. Morris of the Crew is awaiting to enter the game with Sonora, for Cowell & Vazquez. Acosta gets surprised by a pass, recovers, plays it in on the ground, out for the US initial corner of the game at 66’? Miazga up for Long as the US must press now, though it may leave them somewhat vulnerable, they need a goal. Sonora cautioned for a push to the chest of the defender, which the defender feigned it to be to the face, quite he soft yellow. DFK from about 30 yards. Chavez goes on goal and just wide right. One ex Red Bull for another on the back line for the USA. Yedlin with a cheecky pass to Jesus but he does nothing with it as winds up out of play. Jordan with a pass to nobody in the area, a chance he may have taken himself? Johnson steers a distant worm burner over the end line as it takes a bad hop right in front of him. These last few minutes have seen the US getting more forward but with no effect. Again playing it back the US loses it. Another pair of subs as Mexico has a good 20 passes going now. Sanchez from way out curves it just a bit much, destined he thought for the upper 90. Last ten minutes. So anemic of an offense will not win games such as this for the USA. Rodriguez rocks the goal, counter gets to Jesus and he buries it at 82’ and of course the things begin to get thrown to the field. Big credit to Dest for beating a good 4 players and a well weighted pass in from Morris finally! Again from the top of the penalty area to their defensive half for the US, why? Aiden Morris gives it away at midfield and here comes Mexico. Why is the US fouling at half field with 2 minutes to play? Zimmerman cautioned for a shoulder into the chest of the attacking player. No call, the right call as Sands and Herrara jostle in the area. Sanchez is down and Acosta the guilty party with pushing and more, the kick at the player caused the commotion, it was the other player who was holding him by the waist.
Not much to say of a game with a B squad at best for the USA, but it beats a loss. Cowell had a quiet game compared to other internationals, Sands acquitted himself well.