Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie were likely sound asleep in Italy. Several other U.S. men’s national team starters were recovering from injuries. And in their absence Tuesday night, the USMNT lost to Mexico for the first time in over five years — in a match marked by debates over its significance.
On one hand, it was U.S.-Mexico, the CONCACAF Clasico, a combustible rivalry, and therefore a game that both sides insisted they’d play to win.
On the other, it was only a friendly, a pre-test without tangible consequence; and so, after Saturday’s win over Panama, new U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino allowed Pulisic, McKennie and three others to return to their clubs.
The result, on Tuesday in Zapopan, Mexico, was a 2-0 loss to El Tri — and a performance that, frankly, never seemed capable of delivering a victory.
“It seemed like the USA didn’t want to play. It seemed like nobody wanted the ball,” former USMNT star DaMarcus Beasley said on TNT at halftime. “Nobody’s up for this moment, playing against Mexico in Mexico.”
And midway through the first half, Raúl Jiménez punished their sloppiness. Passive possession led to an aimless American long ball, then a foul 25 yards from goal. Jiménez curled the ensuing free kick over a U.S. wall, and past goalkeeper Matt Turner, to give the…
