🇺🇸🇲🇽 No manager needed: USA's semi win over Mexico reflects current reality
El Tri's worst fears are confirmed: 2021 was no anomaly
Christian Pulisic’s ovation as he left the field was cut short by a yellow card, but a longer round of applause was deserved.
The U.S. captain left the field after scoring two goals in the United States’ 3-0 Concacaf Nations League semifinal victory against Mexico on Thursday, dominating anyone Mexico looked to put in front of him, whether defender Jorge Sanchez, winger Uriel Antuna or a center back covering him.
Pulisic wasn’t the only player with a big smile on his face most of the night. Weston McKennie and Yunus Mush controlled the midfield, with Edson Alvarez kept occupied by Gio Reyna.
Mexico manager Diego Cocca knows the stakes. He knows if he makes it past Sunday, he’ll be coaching for his job in the Gold Cup. And there are better leaders for El Tri than the Argentine.
But the manager? Thursday night the U.S. danced past Mexico led by a man whose previous head coaching experience came at a stadium with a listed capacity of 1,000 fans.
The manager’s fault? Drag Pep Guardiola from whatever UEFA Champions celebrating the man is enjoying and give him four days to work with Mexico. The result will be the same.
The United States currently has a better men’s national team than Mexico.
“We have to accept the reality of where we are right now,” Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa told TUDN after the game.