USMNT has 'dos a cero' vs. Mexico 2-0 in FIFA World Cup qualifier at TQL Stadium
The U.S. men's national team has added another "dos a cero" result against rival Mexico.
The Spanish phrase translates directly to "2-0," and it's been made famous in U.S. Soccer lore in recent decade for the Americans' repetitive 2-0 wins against the Mexicans in World Cup qualifying matches played on U.S. soil.
Cincinnati's TQL Stadium played host to the latest 2-0 victory for the USMNT over Mexico on Friday night before a raucous crowd of 26,000.
Christian Pulisic entered Friday's FIFA World Cup qualifer at TQL Stadium in the 69th minute, with the U.S. men's national team locked in a scoreless and tense battle. But he broke the match open five minutes later when he nodded home a Tim Weah centering feed.
For Pulisic, who plays his club soccer at storied English Premier League side Chelsea FC, the goal was the 17th of his international career.
Weston McKennie added the second tally in the 85th minute to condemn Mexico to that two-goal deficit that has so haunted it over the years.
The victory allowed the USMNT (4-1-2, 14 points) to move into a first-place tie with Mexico atop an eight-nation group from which the top three teams will advance to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The Enquirer will update this report.
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Welcome to Cincinnati.com's live coverage of the U.S. men's national team versus Mexico in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying match for the Concacaf region. Refresh this page throughout the match for live updates and analysis, and follow Enquirer FC Cincinnati beat reporter Pat Brennan on Twitter (@PBrennanENQ) for further updates.
In-match updates:
• FINAL: USMNT 2, Mexico 0.
• 85th minute – GOAL, USMNT (2-0): Weston McKinnie.
• 74th minute – GOAL, USMNT (1-0): Christian Pulisic, five minutes after entering the match, nodded home a centering feed from Tim Weah to put the Americans in front.
• HALFTIME: USMNT 0, Mexico 0.
•23rd minute update: USMNT 0, Mexico 0 – Zack Steffen's come up big with two saves so far, and they were necessary. Mexico's found gaps and broken the USMNT press effectively at time
• Match underway at about 9:11 p.m.
Pre-match updates:
• USMNT starting XI (bench): Zack Steffen (GK), DeAndre Yedlin, Walker Zimmerman, Tyler Adams (captain), Antonee Robinson, Yunus Musah, Weston McKennie, Ricardo Pepi, Brenden Aaronson, Miles Robinson,Tim Weah (Matt Turner (GK), Paul Arriola, Christian Pulisic, Cristian Roldan, Chris Richards, Gianluca Busio, Sebastian Lletget, Mark McKenzie, Jesus Ferreira, Sam Vines, Reggie Cannon, Kellyn Acosta).
More:Why the U.S. men's national team vs. Mexico match matters to Cincinnati
More:Preview, prediction for USMNT vs. Mexico FIFA World Cup qualifier at TQL Stadium
• Mexico starting XI (bench): Guillermo Ochoa (GK, captain), Julio Cesar Dominguez, Edson Alvarez, Luis Romo, Raul Jimenez, Hector Herrera, Jesus Corona, Luis Rodriguez, Jesus Gallardo (Alfredo Talavera (GK), Rodolfo Cota (GK), Osvaldo Rodriguez, Jorge Sanchez, Carlos Rodriguez, Orbelin Pineda, Rogelio Funes Mori, Roberto Alvarado, Hector Moreno, Andres Guardado, Henry Martin, Gilberto Sepulveda).
• Concacaf qualifying standings: (Top three advance to 2022 Qatar World Cup, fourth place finisher advances to intercontinental playoff)
• Results and scores:
- Panama 3, Honduras 2.
- Canada 1, Costa Rica 0 (in progress)