The United States men’s national soccer team and Mexico first faced each other in 1934, with the Americans winning 4-2 in a World Cup qualifier in Rome. Aldo "Buff" Donelli, who would later coach NFL teams including the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Rams, scored all four goals for the U.S. Despite that initial victory, Mexico soon established dominance, going unbeaten in their next 21 meetings with the U.S. from 1937 to 1980.
Mexico’s record during those 43 years was 18 wins, 3 draws, and just 1 loss against the U.S., with the three draws all occurring in Los Angeles. Since 1980, the rivalry has been more balanced. The Americans have won 23 matches, drawn 14, and lost 20 during this period. Overall, Mexico leads the all-time series 38 wins to 24, with 17 draws.
The rivalry between these two North American neighbors is often the defining fixture for the USMNT outside the World Cup. Matches against Mexico have carried weight in World Cup qualifying, regional tournaments, and friendlies. The chant “Dos-a-Cero,” referring to the 2-0 scoreline that the U.S. has used to defeat Mexico multiple times, has become a rallying cry for American fans. The phrase first gained prominence after the U.S. beat Mexico 2-0 in a 2011 World Cup qualifier at Columbus Crew Stadium and was famously repeated in the 2002 World Cup Round of 16 match in South Korea.
That 2002 World Cup encounter is one of the most memorable moments in the rivalry’s history. Both teams advanced from tough groups, with Mexico topping a group featuring Italy, Croatia, and Ecuador, and the U.S. finishing second behind South Korea in a group with Portugal and Poland. The knockout match in Jeonju saw Brian McBride score early, followed by Landon Donovan after halftime, sealing a 2-0 victory for the U.S. The result stunned many and solidified the Dos-a-Cero scoreline as symbolic for American soccer fans.
Leading scorers in the rivalry reflect the changing fortunes of the teams. Landon Donovan tops the U.S. list with six goals, followed by Michael Bradley with five. Christian Pulisic and Donelli each have four goals. Mexico’s all-time leading scorer against the U.S. is Salvador Reyes, a Guadalajara legend, with seven goals.
Trophies add another layer to the rivalry. Mexico has won the CONCACAF Gold Cup ten times, compared to seven by the U.S. The Americans hold a 3-1 edge in the CONCACAF Nations League, a newer competition. Mexico has also won five other international trophies, including the FIFA Confederations Cup.
The Dos-a-Cero scoreline has appeared repeatedly in key matches beyond 2002. The U.S. secured 2-0 wins over Mexico in World Cup qualifying matches in 2006, 2010, and 2014, all at Columbus Crew Stadium. Mexico broke this run in 2016, beating the U.S. 2-1 in Columbus during the campaign that saw the U.S. miss the World Cup. The Americans revived the Dos-a-Cero theme in 2022 qualifying with a 2-0 win over Mexico in Cincinnati.
The rivalry continues to be a defining fixture for both nations. On Saturday, the two teams met in a friendly in Glendale, Arizona, adding another chapter to nearly a century of competition. The all-time record remains in Mexico’s favor, but the rivalry has shifted over the decades, with the U.S. closing the gap in recent years.
According to Yahoo Sports.
