Mexico defeats U.S. in CONCACAF Cup, advances to Confederations Cup

Martin Rogers | USA TODAY Sports

PASADENA, Calif. – A spectacular late strike from Mexico’s Paul Aguilar consigned the United States to a devastating 3-2 extra-time defeat in the CONCACAF Cup at the Rose Bowl on Saturday night.

After fighting back from a goal down in both regulation and extra-time and within three minutes of the game going to a penalty shootout, the U.S. came unstuck when Aguilar smashed a remarkable volley past goalkeeper Brad Guzan to clinch the contest.

As a result Mexico, and not Jurgen Klinsmann’s Americans, earned the right to compete in the 2017 Confederations Cup, and in the process heaped more pressure on the under-fire U.S. head coach.

The quality of the match, a fiercely fought encounter between regional rivals that have little time for each other, will do nothing to soothe the U.S. disappointment.

Mexico, with happy memories of Rose Bowl success dating back to its comeback victory in the 2011 Gold Cup final, started brighter and claimed a lead after just nine minutes when Javier Hernandez struck from close range.

However, the U.S. responded swiftly, an outstanding free-kick from Michael Bradley finding Geoff Cameron unmarked in the box five minutes later. Cameron, in fine form for Stoke City of the English Premier League, made no mistake with a powerful header into the corner for the equalizer.

Passions inevitably run high whenever these teams meet, and so it was again after 34 minutes. Mexican forward Oribe Peralta tangled with Guzan and appeared to lash out with his foot at the American goalkeeper. Guzan reacted angrily, and there was an ugly exchange involving shoving and words of ire before Peralta was yellow carded.

The U.S. responded better to the heightened tension though, with Jozy Altidore missing a half-chance soon after, then Bradley forcing Moises Munoz into a fine save from a free-kick just outside the penalty area.

While this was a game on home soil for Klinsmann’s Americans, the overwhelming support for Mexico made it feel like a road trip, and sitting deep, the U.S. had to withstand heavy periods of second half pressure.

As the U.S. sank deeper the more Mexico pressed forwards with purpose, and should have moved ahead after 58 minutes when Raul Jiminez slid the ball cross the goal face for the fast-advancing Hernandez, who was unable to untangle his feet in time. With scores even after 90 minutes, the match progressed into extra-time. Six minutes in Oribe Peralta put Mexico ahead again, and again the U.S. bounced back, courtesy of Bobby Wood.

But that merely set the stage for Aguilar’s late heroics, which turned the night into one of U.S. dejection and left Klinsmann under mounting pressure.

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