American Achievements Add Pressure for El Tri

Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images This may be just a friendly for Mexico, but the stakes are much higher than that. A first trip to Europe since June 2018 affords El Tri the chance to test themselves against elite competition and show they deserve to be considered one of the best national teams in the world. More importantly, however, today’s duel against the Dutch will be a crucial signpost in an increasingly intriguing arms race with the United States.

Since they disputed their first official match in 1923, Mexico has enjoyed an almost uninterrupted reign over the region that came to be known as CONCACAF. Seven straight World Cup knockout stage appearances speak to a consistency that is…