CINCINNATI, Ohio – TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio was the host of the most important World Cup Qualifier of the Qatar 2022 cycle thus far for the United States Men’s National Team. Mexico came in sitting atop the “octagonal” with the U.S. just three points behind El Tri, and a chance to leapfrog them heading into the 2nd match of just a two game November camp.
The Legend of Dos A Cero Lives On In Cincinnati
Mexico tried playing out of the back to start the night, while the USA played a high press, and that resulted in a healthy amount of giveaways, leading to set pieces. The USMNT had scored 4 goals on set pieces alone against El Tri coming into the match, and a good chance from Aaronson, resulted in a shot on goal. Immediately the other way though, Zack Steffen made a big save on a Lozano breakaway off of a deadly counter.
More poor play in high press lead to a Jesus Corona chance behind a beautiful ball from Lozano, but Corona pulled it wide. It was the best chance for either side in the first half an hour.
Tim Weah and the right side of the American attack continued to provide the most lively chances in the first half. Weah earned 3 corners for the USA and was a key point in a solid string of pressure on the Mexico back line late in the first half.
The first half came to an end, and though Mexico had the better and more dangerous chances, the USMNT was pressing high and effectively, Mexico’s main threats came when they tried to break through the press, but most times they tried, they gave the ball away. 0-0 at the half seemed like a deserving scoreline for both sides.
The second half kicked off with a great chance, again with Tim Weah getting in behind and delivered a great cross to Mckennnie who forced Ochoa into a great save.
Much unlike the first half, things started chippy between the two teams. A Chaka Rodriguez foul on Brendan Aaronson, led to yellow cards for Rodriguez, Mckennie, and Steffen, who ran 60 yards to defend his team.
Gregg Berhalter makes the first substitute of the night, starboy Christian Pulisic comes on for Brendan Aaronson in minute 69, just back from an injury sustained in El Salvador in September.
The whole night, it seemed as though the USMNT had been missing the clinical player in the final third. Enter Christian Pulisic, who delivers a lovely header goal off of a cross from, you guessed it, the liveliest attacker all night, Tim Weah. Pulisic had been on the field for 5 minutes, and he beats Ochoa for the opener.
A couple of decent Mexico chances later, and in the 85th minute, the ball pings its way around the Mexico defense, and finds Weston McKennie, Dos A Cero.
Miles Robinson earns his second yellow of the night, and a red card in the 90th minute for a bad foul.
The final whistle blows on the USMNT in showers of “USA, USA, USA” and “Dos A Cero.” It happened in Ohio again.
THREE STRAIGHT OVER EL TRI IN 2021 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸#USAvMEX x @allstate pic.twitter.com/mGTqTZZsLd
— U.S. Soccer MNT (@USMNT) November 13, 2021
Three Key Takeaways
Youth: The USMNT showed its youthful exuberance in the 2nd half, as heading into the final 1o minutes, the USMNT had outshot Mexico 9-0. Weah(21) and Pulisic(23) were finally able to beat a back line for Mexico that featured a 34 year old, a 30 year old, and a 27 year old.
Tim Weah: Weah proved tonight why he should firmly have a spot in the starting 11. The right wing should be his going forward. He provided the assist on the opening goal to Pulisic, and somewhat helped create the chance to McKennie. He was the Man of the Match.
Dos A Cero: The Legend of the Dos a Cero scoreline lives on, only this time in Cincinnati. The US Men made Columbus a mainstay for the Dos A Cero result, but Cincinnati provided the most important Dos A Cero final since the 2002 World Cup in South Korea.
Photo Credit: Toni Geiger. @EMDashPhoto emdashphoto.com
