NASHVILLE (Sept. 10, 2018) – The U.S. Men’s National Team continues its fall Kickoff Series by renewing its regional rivalry with Mexico on Tuesday, Sept. 11 in Nashville, Tenn. With both teams sporting younger rosters, the next chapter of the storied series will be written at Nissan Stadium.
Coverage of USA-Mexico, presented by AT&T, begins at 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN and Univision.
Fans can also follow along via U.S. Soccer’s official Facebook, Twitter (@ussoccer_MNT) and Instagram (@ussoccer_MNT) accounts.
DETAILED ROSTER BY POSITION (Club; Caps/Goals)
GOALKEEPERS (3): Alex Bono (Toronto FC/CAN; 1/0), Ethan Horvath (Club Brugge/BEL; 2/0), Zack Steffen (Columbus Crew SC; 4/0)
DEFENDERS (8): Cameron Carter-Vickers (Swansea City/WAL; 4/0), Eric Lichaj (Hull City/ENG; 15/1), Aaron Long (New York Red Bulls; 0/0), Matt Miazga (Nantes/FRA; 8/1), Shaq Moore (Reus Deportiu/ESP; 2/0), Tim Parker (New York Red Bulls; 2/0), Antonee Robinson (Wigan Athletic/ENG; 3/0), DeAndre Yedlin (Newcastle United/ENG; 53/0)
MIDFIELDERS (8): Kellyn Acosta (Colorado Rapids; 18/1), Tyler Adams (New York Red Bulls; 6/0), Marky Delgado (Toronto FC/CAN; 2/0), Julian Green (Greuther Fürth/GER; 11/4), Weston McKennie (Schalke/GER; 5/1), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders FC; 4/0), Wil Trapp (Columbus Crew SC; 7/0), Tim Weah (Paris Saint-Germain; 4/1)
FORWARDS (3): Andrija Novakovich (Fortuna Sittard/NED; 2/0), Bobby Wood (Hannover 96/GER; 40/12), Gyasi Zardes (39/6; Columbus Crew SC)
STORYLINES
LESSONS LEARNED VS. BRAZIL
The U.S. Men’s National Team had some positive moments, but ultimately fell 2-0 to third-ranked Brazil in Friday’s Kickoff Series opener at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. An MNT side averaging just over 23 years old fell victim to a well-executed 11th minute strike from Roberto Firmino and 44th minute penalty kick from Neymar after a dubious call in the box. While disappointed with the result, the youthful MNT side remained resolute following the match, understanding the contest provided plenty of learning experiences for the young group.
USA-MEXICO: THE NEXT GENERATION
Standing at the beginning of a new World Cup cycle, both the United States and Mexico have called up young rosters for Tuesday’s clash in Nashville. Players like Landon Donovan, Cobi Jones, Tim Howard and current MNT General Manager Earnie Stewart have written their names in the lore of USA-Mexico and now Tuesday’s match presents the opportunity for 16 players on the U.S. roster to get their first taste of the rivalry against El Trí. The group won’t go into the match without any experience against Mexico, as six of the “elder statesmen” on the roster have after been a part of the clasico before.
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Current MNT Roster Appearances vs. Mexico |
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|
Player |
Appearances vs. Mexico |
Debut vs. Mexico |
|
DeAndre Yedlin |
5 |
April 2, 2014 |
|
Bobby Wood |
3 |
Oct. 10, 2015 |
|
Gyasi Zardes |
2 |
April 15, 2015 |
|
Kellyn Acosta |
1 |
June 11, 2017 |
|
Julian Green |
1 |
April 2, 2014 |
|
Eric Lichaj |
1 |
June 25, 2011 |
GOALKEEPERS GET SPECIAL MEXICO CHANCE
While a majority of players will get their first taste against Mexico on Tuesday night, the game also presents an interesting milestone for the three MNT goalkeepers: Alex Bono (one cap), Ethan Horvath (two caps) and Zack Steffen (four caps). With none of the trio holding more than four caps, whoever gets the nod will be the second-least experienced MNT ‘keeper to start a match against Mexico during the modern era (1990-present).
The least experienced was Jonny Walker, who had just two caps to his name before keeping a clean sheet in a 1-0 victory against Mexico on April 28, 2004 in Dallas. Below, find the cap numbers each goalkeeper that started a match against Mexico during the modern era had for to their debut appearance against El Tri:
|
Goalkeeper |
Caps Before Mexico Debut |
Mexico Debut |
|
Jonny Walker |
2 |
(1-0 W; April 28, 2004) |
|
Tim Howard |
5 |
(0-0 D; May 8, 2003) |
|
Troy Perkins |
5 |
(0-5 L; July 26, 2009) |
|
Kasey Keller |
7 |
(4-0 W; June 18, 1995) |
|
Brad Friedel |
13 |
(1-1 D; Oct. 13, 1993) |
|
Nick Rimando |
13 |
(2-2 D; April 2, 2014) |
|
Brad Guzan |
21 |
(0-0 D; March 26, 2013) |
|
Tony Meola |
25 |
(2-2 D; March 21, 1991) |
RESTART UNDERWAY
With the 2022 cycle officially underway, the process of elevating a rising crop of internationals is already in motion. Since November of last year, a total of 18 players have been given debuts for the senior MNT. Fourteen of the 22 players assembled for Tuesday’s match against Mexico are 23 and under, while five are age-eligible to represent the U-23 MNT in the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying tournament and 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo. ussoccer.com has profiled 11 of these hopefuls at the start of the new video series RISING: Emerging Faces of the U.S. Men’s National Team, which chronicle the route of players on their quest to become a part of the National Team by going behind the scenes with family, youth, coaches, teammates and professional club managers from across the world. [WATCH SERIES]
SPREADING THE WEALTH
Youth is certainly well served on the roster, with 15 players age 23 and under. A total of 12 players on the roster ply their trade in Europe, while 11 represent MLS clubs. Teams from nine different countries are sending players to the New York area, with Columbus Crew SC and New York Red Bulls each contributing a trio to the squad. There’s also a big range in fitness and form, with European seasons just underway while the domestic players are in full stride towards the push to the playoffs.
USA-MEXICO NOTES
USA ROSTER NOTES
MEXICO ROSTER BY POSITION:
DEFENDERS (7): José Abella (Santos Laguna), Oswaldo Alanís (Real Oviedo/ESP), Edson Álvarez (Club América), Jesús Angulo (Tijuana), Gerardo Arteaga (Santos Laguna), Jesús Gallardo (Monterrey), Luis Rodríguez (Tigres UANL)
MIDFIELDERS (8): Erick Aguirre (Pachuca), Roberto Alvarado (Cruz Azul), Jonathan dos Santos (LA Galaxy/USA), Jonathan González (Monterrey), Víctor Guzmán (Pachuca), Elías Hernández (Cruz Azul), Diego Lainez (Club América), Orbelín Pineda (Guadalajara)
FORWARDS (4): Raúl Jiménez (Wolverhampton Wanderers/ENG), Rodolfo Pizarro (Monterrey), Alan Pulido (Guadalajara), Ángel Zaldívar (Guadalajara)
MEXICO NOTES