It took a brilliant effort by USA goalkeeper Tim Howard but the USA men’s national team did something they have never done before. USA went into Estadio Azteca and defeated the Mexican nationals by a score of 1-0. After 75 years of trying, the monkey is off the American’s backs.
Howard came up huge on numerous saves to stone Mexican forward Javier “Chicarito” Hernandez. Michael Orozco Fiscal scored the only goal for the American’s in the 80th minute. Orozco Fiscal was born in Orange County, California to Mexican-born parents. He plays club soccer in Mexico with San Luis.
It was the first win in 25 tries on Mexican turf. It brings the American record to 1-23-1 at Estadio Azteca. It’s been three years since the last time the Yanks played in Mexico, El Tri it was in the 2010 World Cup qualifiers. Mexico won 2-1.
Mexico was coming off of an impressive outing in the 2012 London Olympics. While no player who was on the gold medal team played tonight, it was still a solid squad on the pitch for El Tri. Mexico is now 16-3-4 under new manager Jose Manuel de la Torre who took over after the World Cup.
Many believed the best case scenario going into tonight’s friendly was a draw but the USA put together a gritty effort and managed to end the night one goal ahead of the Mexicans.
Despite being just a friendly, it is a big win for Jurgen Klinsmann’s squad. The Yanks have now exercised those demons of not being able to win in Mexico City and it will give them confidence moving forward.
