The amazing goal by Mexico that sunk US in CONCACAF Cup

One of the main stories heading into this matchup for Team U.S. will be the fact that head coach Jurgen Klinsmann is under pressure. “It was an open game until the very, very end”.

Paul Aguilar scored the game winning goal in the 118th minute of the second extra time period, and Mexico shocked the United States 3-2 on Saturday night at the Rose Bowl.

Nobody in either jersey has forgotten that these teams met on the same Rose Bowl turf four years ago in the Gold Cup final, and that Mexico rallied from an early two-goal deficit for a riotous 4-2 victory.

“A loss is always hard to swallow especially when there’s a lot at stake”. “With all the respect to the Mexican team – there’s no doubt that they have a lot of quality – I’m confident that if our group sticks together and works with a tremendous amount of energy and chemistry, we’re going to beat them”.

But not everyone will be aboard the Klinsmman bandwagon.

“It’s a dry run for the World Cup“, USMNT captain Michael Bradley said.

Despite the criticism, Klinsmann remains optimistic.

“That’s totally fine. I’m not here to be liked”.

And Klinsmann-will he still be employed by U.S. Soccer after this defeat?

“It will stay with you for the rest of your life”.

Klinsmann tried to put a fearless face on a dark day for United States soccer however, and ruled out wholesale changes to his senior squad for upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

“I don’t need to say anything”, German Klinsmann, 51, said during a news conference when asked how he would respond to his critics. The US had done that before under Bradley and Bruce Arena before him.

This game is a must win for both Mexico and USA. “Coming back twice against Mexico was impressive, but it was not enough”. But the victory capped a remarkable temporary stint as Mexico manager Ricardo Ferretti, who took the job on a temporary, unpaid basis following the sacking Miguel Herrera in July.

Mexico made a shout for a penalty in the 93rd minute after Matt Besler’s arm caught a piece of an attempted cross from Diego Reyes inside the area, but El Tri’s pleadings for a shot from the spot went unheard. In a game worthy of the big stage, the USMNT came back in regulation and in extra time, but it was Mexico finding a late victor.

Marquez and midfielder Andres Guardado, who sustained injuries within the past month, started and played deep into the second half.

It took the US just three minutes to equalize.

With an aggressive attack that seemed relentless at times, El Tri should have found a tiebreaker. Mexico’s up tempo style was almost rewarded in the 47 minute when Guzan needed to make a point blank save to rob El Tri forward Jimenez of a go-ahead goal.

Tempers flared a few minutes later when Andrews Guardardo floated a pass to Hernandez, who nodded the ball over to O. Perralta.

And the emotions of the heated rivalry boiled over in the 34th minute after Peralta’s cleats and the ball arrived in US keeper Brad Guzan’s midsection at the same time. As Peralta headed for the penalty area, Jimenez back-heeled the ball to an unmarked Peralta, who crossed from the right side of the box to Hernandez.

The US had two shots on goal in each half.

Paul Aguilar setup Mexico’s go ahead goal in the 96th minute, finding Osvaldo Peralta in the box.