USA vs Mexico history: Who has all-time bragging rights between USMNT and El Tri?

Take away the World Cup, and the most important game in any United States men's national team campaign tends to be the one or two against Mexico. MORE — USMNT vs Mexico live updates From more than four decades of Mexican dominance to the score line and chant that came to enrage El Tri — say it with us, " Dos-a-Cero! (clap-clap-clapclapclap) Dos-a-Cero" — the Mexican matches have elevated U.S. Soccer. MORE — Adams announced as USMNT captain From 1934's World Cup qualifier to Saturday's friendly in Glendale, here's what you need to know about the USMNT and Mexico sharing a pitch. When was the first USA vs Mexico match: Star became an NFL coach Rome, Italy, was the setting for the first meeting of the United States and Mexico in men's soccer. It was qualifying for the 1934 World Cup, and it was played May 24, 1934 — three days before the start of the tournament proper in Italy. Aldo "Buff" Donelli might be best known as a coach of collegiate American football, but he scored all of the American goals in a 4-2 win for the Yanks. He'd score the only goal as the Yanks lost to Italy 7-1 in the Round of 16, and those high-profile fixtures were his only caps. Imagine a USMNT player going on to become the head coach of two NFL teams. Donelli coached the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Rams. Who are the leading scorers in the USA vs Mexico rivarly? The big names have delivered in this rivalry. Landon Donovan's six goals are the most for an American, followed by Michael Bradley's five. Christian Pulisic is tied with the aforementioned Donelli with four. Mexico's leading scorer is the rivalry's leading scorer. Guadalajara legend Salvador Reyes has seven goals against the Yanks. USMNT vs Mexico rivalry breaks into two eras El Tri more than got revenge for that first loss, going unbeaten over the next 21 meetings with the Americans. That's right: Mexico did not lose to the United States between 1937 and 1980. The Yanks drew just three times — all in Los Angeles — over those 43 years. So Mexico started 18W-3D-1L versus the U.S. Since then? The Yanks are 23W-14D-20L. Trophy count: USMNT vs Mexico The Mexicans have won 10 Gold Cups to the USMNT's seven, while the U.S. have the edge in the CONCACAF Nations League, 3-1. Mexico have won five other trophies including the Confederations Cup. What’s the most famous USMNT vs Mexico game? While the 2021 Nations League Final was pure chaos and oh-so-memorable , it's cannot be No. 1 on our list even with the stage. That's because these two nations met in the 2002 World Cup, a very rare meeting of CONCACAF teams at the most famous tournament in the world. The Americans finished second in a shocking Group D as hosts South Korea were helped to the top and both Portugal and Poland were grouped in stunning fashion. Not to be outdone, Mexico won an equally-tough Group G over Italy, Croatia, and Ecuador. And so a match expected to be Poland versus Croatia became the U.S. versus Mexico in the Round of 16 at Jeonju World Cup Stadium. Brian McBride scored early and Landon Donovan after halftime for the most important Dos a Cero . Explain Dos a Cero when it comes to the U.S. and Mexico? Yes, of course it refers to the score line 2-0 but it became a rallying cry for American soccer fans long expected to take the back seat when it comes to soccer in North America. The Yanks beat Mexico 2-0 in a 2011 qualifier at Columbus Crew Stadium before duplicating the score line in South Korea. 2006 World Cup qualifying saw another 2-0 in favor of the USMNT at the home of the Crew and then another 2-0 in qualifying for the 2010 tournament. Four years later? Same venue, same score. Mexico broke that hex in 2016. The U.S. lost 2-1 in Columbus en route to missing the tournament but the Yanks broke out Dos a Cero in 2022 qualifying... just a bit farther south in Cincinnati, Ohio. So who has all-time bragging rights between USMNT and El Tri? All-time, Mexico's record is 38W-17D-24L.