Every game between the United States and Mexico in men’s soccer has real meaning. But if ever there was a time to take a narrow loss to El Tri as a mulligan in a competitive fixture, it was Wednesday.
With the U.S. and Mexico both assured qualification in the Concacaf Olympic qualifying tournament to the knockout stage and the all-important semifinal game, they squared off in the group stage finale Wednesday in Guadalajara, Mexico, the hosts coming out 1-0 winners courtesy of Uriel Antuna’s goal.
For U.S. U-23 captain Jackson Yueill, the defeat is a learning experience for his team.