Mexico Defeats USA 2-0: Raúl Jiménez Shines with Free Kick Goal and Assist in Friendly Match

Mexico vs USA

Raúl Jiménez scored from a free kick in the 22nd minute and set up César Huerta’s goal in the 49th, allowing Mexico to end a seven-match winless streak against the United States with a 2-0 victory in a friendly match on Tuesday.

Mexico had accumulated five losses and two draws against the U.S. since September 2019. This time, they secured the win in what was the second match for Argentine Mauricio Pochettino as head coach of the U.S. team.

Without Christian Pulisic and other regular starters, the United States did not record a single shot in the first half, something that hadn’t happened since a friendly match in April 2023, also against Mexico. Jiménez took a fantastic shot from outside the box to beat Matt Turner for his 34th international goal. The Fulham forward created the play for the second goal after chasing down a through ball.

Tim Ream made contact with the ball to clear it from the goal, but the Mexicans regained possession and crossed it to Huerta.

The Pumas forward evaded Miles Robinson and beat Turner from near the penalty spot for his third international goal. Pochettino, hired last month to replace Gregg Berhalter, led the Americans to a 2-0 victory over Panama in his debut last weekend. Their first official matches are scheduled for next month in the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinals, which will be played over two legs.

“Overall, Mexico was a bit better and deserved the victory,” Pochettino said. “For us, this is a process. It was a great opportunity for our players to visit a site where it is difficult to play. We can only improve and learn from this experience.”

Mexican coach Javier Aguirre won his second match since replacing Jaime Lozano. His victory will quell the criticism he faced after drawing 2-2 with a reserve Valencia team in the central city of Puebla on Saturday.

“The team was very aware of the poor result in Puebla... and wanted to prove to themselves that they could play better,” Aguirre acknowledged. “It wasn’t the best match we’ve played, but... we leave happy.”

Fans at Estadio Akron chanted a homophobic term that has led to several fines imposed by FIFA, but Costa Rican referee Keylor Herrera did not stop the match.

Mexico Defeats USA 2-0: Raúl Jiménez Shines with Free Kick Goal and Assist in Friendly Match