The Mexican National Team broke a five-year drought without beating the United States with a solid victory in Akron
In a match marked by the historic Concacaf rivalry and the farewell of captain Andrés Guardado, the Mexican National Team showed a better version against a decimated United States team, which lost in Guadalajara without its figures.
Raúl Jiménez was the best player in the Mexican eleven by participating in the two goals of the victory (2-0), first with a great goal from a free kick and then with an assist for César Huerta, who also showed that his national team career is on track. upward.
For much of the match, Mexico was better in all sectors of the field, while the United States was rocky and a little slow in its transitions, a situation that the locals took advantage of with high pressure.
The Mexican National Team paid an 18-minute tribute to Andrés Guardado. AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo
The Mexican National Team shook off its bad streak by beating its counterpart from the United States after five years.
Starter ratings (1-10; 10: best. Players who enter after the 70th minute have no rating)
Goalkeeper: Luis Malagón, 7
The Mexican goalkeeper was under little demand during the match, but when he had to work he did it correctly. He used his feet well and cut off the crosses that came into his area. In the 78th minute, he took a shot that could shorten the distance.
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Defense: Johan Vásquez, 7
Vásquez’s sobriety is increasingly noticeable, he was attentive to the mark and anticipating a not so demanding offense. He rarely gets into trouble with rivals and the referee.
Defense: César Montes, 7
The games go by and the Montes-Vásquez couple is consolidated as indisputable, they have no competition and that is not good at the national team level. Montes resolved the air attacks well and did not have many setbacks at the start.
Defense: Jorge Sánchez, 6
He played a secondary role, did not influence the offense and did not connect with ‘Piojo’ Álvarado on the right lane. He didn’t have much work on defense and cleared almost all the balls to avoid getting into trouble.
Defense: Jesús Angulo, 6
Going on the attack is not his strong point, it took him a while to reach the finish line. His role focused more on defending and when Zendejas from América came on he had a little more participation, especially in the start of a fight that ended with yellow for both.
Midfielder: Edson Álvarez, 7
The influence of Rafa Márquez on Álvarez is beginning to be noticed in the national team, since now he does not drive the ball as much, in other stages he launched into the attack with vehemence. The best version of ‘Machín’ in the Premier League is as a destroyer and in the national team he played that role very well. He was cautioned in the 74th for pulling Zendejas by the collar.
Midfielder: Orbelín Pineda, 6
He always sought to connect with Jiménez, Huerta and Alvarado, but ended up getting diluted between the lines. He committed a couple of fouls that show that the instruction is to put your leg more into this type of match.
Midfielder: Andrés Guardado, 6
The days of the ‘Little Prince’ Guardado came to an end in the Mexican National Team and with 18 minutes on the field of the Chivas Stadium he said goodbye. During the time he participated, he gave the ball with the criteria that characterized him throughout his career. He took no risks and fulfilled his dream of closing his time as an international dressed in green.
Forward: César Huerta, 8
The Pumas player has had a star since he left Chivas, he has done well in Pumas and little by little he is making noise in the national team. Tonight, Huerta had the luxury of cutting back in the United States area and extending Mexico’s difference. Play without fear.
Forward: Roberto Alvarado, 6
Mexican soccer is a witness to his talent and that is why more is demanded of him at the national team level. Once again he missed a great opportunity by getting lost on the right side of the Mexican attack, he did not connect with Orbelín towards the center and he did not reach the area or baseline to create more dangerous plays.
Forward: Raúl Jiménez, 8
The national team finally has a ‘9’. Since the World Cup in Qatar, they have been looking for a reliable center forward and Jiménez is filling that vacancy. Today he showed his football: he scored, assisted and made almost all of the Tricolor’s attacks pass through his feet. In the 21st minute he scored a great goal from a free kick, while, in the second half, his insistence ended in an assist.
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Substitutes
Midfielder: Luis Romo, 7
Mexico’s second goal was born from a recovery by Romo. He got along well with Edson Álvarez and together they came out ahead in a classic that had become very complicated for them in recent times.
Midfielder: Diego Lainez, 6
Little and nothing for Lainez, more efforts in defense. He does not skimp on effort and his game has changed since he returned to Mexican soccer, as he provides himself without being a factor once again.
Forward: Alexis Vega, 7
He is a player who did not hide, asked for the ball and looked for long drives. He did not shrink despite entering amidst boos. The stadium did not receive him well and he stuck out his chest to the bullets.
Forward: Germán Berterame, 6
He fought and tried, but the short time was not enough to show anything in attack. He replaced Orbelín Pineda, however, he could not cover all the ground that the AEK player can.
Midfielder: Obed Vargas, no rating
Forward: Guillermo Martínez, without qualification
Technical director rating (1-10)
Javier Aguirre, 8
Their starting lineup was balanced and risky. He came out with a center forward, Raúl Jiménez, supported by three players behind him (Álvarado, Orbelín and Huerta). He is finding undisputed players, however, there are also positions that remain vacant such as the sides. He was reprimanded for complaining to the refereeing body.
