The names, faces and circumstances change, but USA-Mexico still smolders after all these years.
The US national team edged their border rivals 1-0 at Nashville's Nissan Stadium Tuesday night, overcoming a ragged first-half performance and making the most of an El Tri red card as New York Red BullsHomegrown midfielder Tyler Adams sidefooted home a calm winner some 20 minutes before full time.
The hosts were comfortably second-best for much of the game's opening stages, but a lively Mexico side failed to convert their superiority into goals. Just when the occasion looked to be petering out midway through the second half, a confrontation between Matt Miazga and Diego Lainez sparked it back to life, and moments later Angel Zaldivar was shown a straight red card for a studs-up collision with Wil Trapp to put El Tri down a man.
Shortly thereafter Adams made a late run into the penalty area and met Antonee Robinson's low cross, a fitting game-winner from a New York native on the 17th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Goals
- 71' – USA – Tyler Adams | WATCH
Three Things
- THE BIG PICTURE: The hard-working Adams (with the help of impact sub Robinson) made sure the USMNT tasted victory, and that counts for plenty in this rivalry. The full 90 minutes showed that the program has ample questions to answer, however, with limited creativity in the attack and long stretches of disjointedness in possession.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: Adams' goal was tidy, but the Miazga-Lainez faceoff, prompted by some seemingly mild jersey-tugging, was the flashpoint that made this match memorable.
MATT MIAZGA LOVES US SHOWED IT BY PROVIDING THE GOOCH STARE DOWN FOR THIS GENERATION pic.twitter.com/bHcMTFrNPu
— The American Outlaws (@AmericanOutlaws) September 12, 2018 - MAN OF THE MATCH: Tyler Adams decided this one with his finish, and anchored the USMNT's midfield with his work rate and bite.
Next Up
- USA: Thursday, October 11 vs. Colombia (7:30 pm ET | FS1, UniMás, UDN - TV & streaming info)
