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The win over Panama provided a preview of the momentum the USMNT can have under its new coach, and Mexico can build it further. The hire of Mauricio Pochettino was met with much enthusiasm, and that showed on Saturday night. Although not the cleanest performance in USMNT history, there were several positives on the back of the win in Austin over Panama.
Now, the USMNT travels to Mexico for a rare away fixture. A win in a rivalry game would go a long way toward sustaining what Pochettino has given the United States early on in his tenure.
Panama recap
The USMNT was the better team from start to finish on Saturday night in Austin. Pochettino’s squad came out on the front foot and didn’t allow Panama many chances. They were, however, scoreless going into halftime after Josh Sargent missed the best chance of the half.
Fortunately, they to start the second half. Christian Pulisic played a great ball for Yunus Musah to rifle home from six yards out just three minutes after the restart. Matt Turner made a fantastic pair of saves midway through the second half to keep the US in front. And then, in stoppage time, Ricardo Pepi found the back of the net to put the game on ice.
There are still some things to work on. Pochettino only had a limited amount of time with the players before this window. But the important thing was starting his tenure with a win, and they did. Now, the USMNT has an opportunity to build more positive momentum with a win in Mexico.
Rivalry with Mexico
Pochettino’s first taste of North America’s fiercest rivalry comes in a rare game in Mexico. Perhaps even more rare, is that the game is not being played at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, but at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara.
The US has eternally struggled to get wins on Mexican soil. They have only done so just once: a 2012 friendly at Azteca in which Michael Orozco Fiscal scored to give the USMNT one of its most famous wins under Jurgen Klinsmann.
Despite…
Source link : https://worldsoccertalk.com/usmnt/preview-usmnt-carries-momentum-into-friendly-in-mexico/
Author : Lawrence Dockery
Publish date : 2024-10-14 22:00:00
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