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USMNT vs. Mexico: A Rivalry Forged in Fire
4 Oct
Summary
- The USMNT and Mexico will meet for the 80th time in their storied rivalry.
- Mexico leads the all-time series, but the US has won five of the last nine meetings.
- The rivalry's most famous chant, 'Dos a Cero,' celebrates repeated US victories.
The United States men's national soccer team is set to face its greatest rival, Mexico, on Saturday, October 3rd, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. This encounter marks the 80th meeting between the two nations, a rivalry spanning 92 years and rich with historical significance.
Mexico historically dominated this regional competition within Concacaf, but the USMNT has significantly closed the gap. While El Tri still leads the all-time series with 38 wins to 24 losses and 17 draws, the U.S. has achieved notable success in recent years, securing five victories in their last nine matches. This includes triumphs in the 2021 and 2024 Nations League finals and the 2021 Gold Cup final.
A significant cultural element of this rivalry is the chant 'Dos a Cero,' meaning 'two to zero' in Spanish. This scoreline represents several iconic USMNT victories, notably four consecutive World Cup qualifiers against Mexico in Columbus, Ohio, beginning in 2001, and a crucial 2002 World Cup knockout stage win.
The most consequential match in the rivalry's history was their sole World Cup meeting in 2002, where the U.S. secured a 2-0 victory in the Round of 16, advancing to the quarterfinals. The most recent significant clash saw Mexico win the 2025 Gold Cup final 2-1.
