CONTINENTAL CLASICO
United States set to play Mexico in the upcoming international break
The biggest rivalry in the region will kick off the inaugural Continental Clásico in Glendale, Arizona prior the start of the Gold Cup.
The United States men’s national team will be eager to keep their positive streak against their biggest rivals in CONCACAF, the Mexican national team, when they play against each other for the first time this year. The two sides will face each other in a friendly on 19 April at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona in the latest edition of the Continental Clásico.
USMNT has the upper hand
The USMNT has a record of three wins and one draw in the last four meetings with Mexico across all competitions. This good run started in the Nations League final on 6 June 2021 when they defeated Mexico 3-2, with Gio Reyna, Weston McKennie and Christian Pulisic scoring at Empower Field.
They would meet again in August of that year in the Gold Cup final, where the USMNT defeated El Tri 1-0 with Miles Robinson scoring in extra-time. Two finals and two victories for the Stars and Stripes helped boost their confidence when they met again for the World Cup qualifiers in November of 2021.
Once again the Americans came out on top with Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie scoring for the home side at TQL stadium. Their last meeting was in November in the final round of the World Cup qualifiers when both sides had already secured their spot to the tournament at Qatar and that game ended in a scoreless draw at Estadio Azteca.
Now they will meet again for the first time in 2023 as both sides start their new World Cup cycle for the 2026 tournament. They meet as part of a new annual event where the United States will host opponents from North, Central and South America in preparation for the 2026 World Cup.
“The opportunity to build a platform that brings a world-class opponent to the United States each year will be another key step toward making soccer the preeminent sport in our country, and kicking off the event with one of the biggest rivalries in international soccer will no doubt present a unique opportunity for us to engage avid, casual, and multicultural soccer fans alike,” said US Soccer’s vice president of partnership marketing Kelly Higgins.