In front of a packed Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, what seemed like just another warm-up match turned into an uncomfortable reminder for U.S. soccer: Mexico still runs the show when they decide to play for real. A 2-0 victory, built on skill, grit, and of course, Raúl Jiménez’s signature talent, proved that despite some recent slip-ups, Mexico’s "giant" is alive and knows exactly when to wake up. And it was the USMNT that had to pay the price.
It was getting too easy for the U.S., wasn’t it? Seven games in a row without losing to Mexico, big wins that echoed on both sides of the border, and a little sense of superiority was starting to creep into the American team. But reality, as soccer loves to remind us, comes in cycles. And Tuesday night, that reality hit hard for Pochettino’s squad. The USMNT walked off the field with a loss that didn’t just hurt because of the broken streak; it hurt because of how Mexico won. It wasn’t just a scoreline victory; it was a masterclass and a power play.
Follow MLS Multiplex on X (Twitter).
Mexico started slow, like they didn’t have much to prove, but all it took was one American slip-up for Raúl Jiménez to remind everyone why he’s one of the most respected players in North America. That free kick at 22 minutes? A masterpiece. A perfectly curled shot that left Matt Turner stretching in the air, but totally helpless. It was a punch to the gut; one of those goals that doesn’t just knock the wind out of you but shakes a team's confidence. From there, El Tri grew stronger, and USMNT shrunk. That old nervousness we thought the U.S. had left behind came back with a vengeance. The Americans looked lost, disorganized, and, worst of all, completely flat.
This loss wasn’t on just one or two players. It was a cold dose of reality. Is that a good thing? Maybe. Pochettino, still fresh in his role, must've realized that turning this team into a world champion isn’t going to be a walk in the park. You could see it on his face—the defeat didn’t shock him. The Argentine coach knew this game against Mexico was going to be a measuring stick. And the results weren’t pretty. The team looked soulless, lacking fire, and missing the edge of a squad that wants to rule the continent.
And let’s be real, Mexico wasn’t even the strongest version we’ve ever seen. Sure, Jiménez shined, but the truth is the U.S. lost to a Mexico that’s still rebuilding. But even a transitioning Mexico, playing at home, brings enormous emotional weight. The stadium was packed, the crowd was on fire, and the USMNT seemed to feel the pressure of every single chant. That’s how the second goal came about, early in the second half, with Jiménez once again stepping up, delivering the assist to César Huerta. Mexico didn’t hesitate, and boom, game over for the U.S.
This isn’t the first time USMNT has stumbled on its way to claiming dominance in the region. American soccer has grown a lot, no doubt about that, and the last decade has been full of key victories. But growing is tough when the southern neighbor keeps reminding you that, despite its ups and downs, it’s still got plenty of tradition and strength. This loss, as painful as it is, has to be a turning point for Pochettino’s team.
Why is that so important? Because USMNT’s ambitions are much bigger now. The 2026 World Cup, which the U.S. will partly host, is already an obsession. But after a performance like this, who can say the team is ready? It’s one thing to play well against Panama; it’s a whole different ball game to face off against a team like Mexico, with all the pressure that comes with it. And if USMNT falters in Concacaf, what can we expect when they step onto the global stage?
Pochettino needs to take some hard lessons from that night in Guadalajara. First, he’s got to find a midfield that can control the game, something that was sorely missing. Gianluca Busio and Aidan Morris looked lost for much of the match, unable to keep possession or shield the defense. Second, the American defense needs real leaders. Tim Ream is a respected veteran, but as we saw on the second goal, even he has his off days. Miles Robinson couldn’t assert his presence either. What we ended up with was a team that only reacted once defeat seemed inevitable. Too late.
Where are the big names? Without Pulisic, McKennie, Dest, and others, USMNT felt like a team missing the individual brilliance that usually makes the difference in big games. Sure, Pochettino wanted to test new players, and that’s fair. But what’s clear now is that the squad depth is far from ideal. If the starters aren’t available, things fall apart quickly. And that’s a dangerous situation when your goals are as big as winning a World Cup at home.
Mexico reminded us that the rivalry is alive and well. For the United States, it’s time to reflect and, more importantly, learn. There’s no denying that the team has improved massively over the last few years, but matches like this show there’s still a long road ahead. The Mexican giant might’ve stumbled a few times, but when it chooses to rise, USMNT better be ready.
Now, with the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals on the horizon, Pochettino has some serious work to do. He needs to pick up the pieces from this loss, make the necessary adjustments, and ensure USMNT goes back to being the tough opponent we’ve come to admire in recent years. The 2026 World Cup is right around the corner, and time’s running out to get it right.