Mexico down USA 3-2 to book Confederations Cup spot

Mexico won a pulsating CONCACAF Cup playoff match against the United States 3-2 in extra time at the iconic Rose Bowl Stadium here Saturday to book their place in the next Confederations Cup.

They had to score twice in overtime to do it, though, the first extra-time match between the USA and Mexico since the semifinals of the 1999 Confederations Cup.

The first strike came Saturday pm a handful 650 far within the community of Salt Lake City, the location where the Us all under-23 team missing in to Honduras and…

Mexico’s drive would pay off before long, though.

Wood came off the US bench two minutes later and would up evening the scoring, running on to a low lead pass from DeAndre Yedlin, then one-timing it into the net.

And not just does Klinsmann no longer have the total belief of the American soccer public, he doesn’t have a Plan A anymore either. Less than 5 minutes after Cameron equalized on a set piece delivered by Michael Bradley. We’re in New Mexico as I type this. Jozy Altidore and Dempsey were anonymous throughout, failing to impact the game, even on the rare occasions the beleaguered midfield got them the ball. “But you’ve got to take it on the chin and you’ve got to roll with the next one”. Is it Klinsmann’s fault that El Tri players have obliterated the invisible wall that used to keep many of Mexico’s top players from making moves to Europe’s top leagues?

The German legend admitted however that ultimately his side had been undermined by a failure to retain possession, especially in the second half. In the 34th minute the rivalry between these two teams flared, with Peralta sliding into USA keeper Brad Guzan and earning a yellow card.

Klinsmann and Team U.S. now must look at themselves and rediscover the missing soul required to win the big game.

Beckerman’s time appears to be winding down as well. While he wasn’t playing the ball, the arm was away from his body enough that a penalty certainly could have been given, but the referee chose not to blow his whistle. Oribe Peralta fed Javier Hernandez, and Chicharito darted past an indecisive Fabian Johnson to make it 1-0. But Peralta would give Mexico the lead in the 96th.

However, Yedlin would finally make that impact in the 108th minute. The Sunderland defender looked up and saw overtime sub Bobby Wood running into the box unmarked. Woods had a chance for his second moments later, when Beasley found him with a cross from the left, but his header looped and Munoz claimed it.

The American Outlaws and their fellow US soccer fans were louder, rowdier and more numerous than they were four years ago for their team’s last clash with Mexico at the Rose Bowl. One ticket punched to the 2017 Confederation’s Cup. The question is, what will they be?

U.S. Soccer has endured dark days in the past.

And that’s when things could turn really ugly. Almost five years later we’ve seen very little evidence of that ever coming to fruition. And there didn’t seem to be much team cohesion.

United States of America 2-3 Mexico (1-1 at the end of regular time).

Gyasi Zardes (5.5) – The Galaxy attacker started the game pretty well, with a good early cross and plenty of defensive effort, then faded until being removed in the 78th minute.

Mexico struggled to break down a packed United States defence for the remainder of the 90 minutes however setting up 30 minutes of extra-time.

I wasn’t sure how I felt about Klinsmann as we continued across the country.

The loss ended the U.S.’ six-game unbeaten streak against Mexico. But over the past year, the trend for this team has pointed downward, and once again, Klinsmann should be held accountable.

“There’s a lot of disappointment in our locker room because things didn’t work out the way that we drew them up and thought we were”, defender Matt Besler lamented.