Sporting Kansas City defender Matt Besler started and played 81 minutes on Friday as the United States Men’s National Team opened the Hexagonal with a hotly contested 2-1 defeat to Mexico.
Besler anchored the left side of head coach Jurgen Klinsmann’s backline, collecting his 38th cap and making his ninth World Cup qualifying appearance at sold-out MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. Sporting Kansas City midfielder Graham Zusi was an unused substitute in the first meeting between the fierce rivals since the CONCACAF Cup in October 2015.
Miguel Layun fired Mexico ahead in the 20th minute before Bobby Wood restored parity four minutes into the second half.