USA Today via Reuters
Nov 12, 2021; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; United States forward Christian Pulisic (10) dribbles the ball while Mexico defender Luis Rodriguez (21) defends during a FIFA World Cup Qualifier soccer match at TQL Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Nov 12, 2021; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; United States forward Christian Pulisic (10) dribbles the ball while Mexico defender Luis Rodriguez (21) defends during a FIFA World Cup Qualifier soccer match at TQL Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Revoking one of the most intense rivalries in world soccer, the USMNT clashed with Mexico in a fantastic game of football. A match marred with fouls and cards, Team USA edged past Mexico to win the match 2-0, sending the home fans into raptures. Despite being in the second position before the kickoff, Christian Pulisic came off the bench to put team USA in the front.
This result meant they went on top of the CONCACAF World Cup qualifying table. However, the game would be remembered for Pulisic’s shirt-message celebration to Ochoa and co.
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Memo Ochoa: "Mexico is the mirror in which the United States wants to see itself"
Christian Pulisic: pic.twitter.com/bm5B10N5Zi
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 13, 2021
Christian Pulisic delivers an epic message
Before the game, Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa took a sly dig on team USA by accusing them of copying their team.
“Mexico is the mirror in which the [U.S.] wants to see itself,” said Ochoa.
As the game was heading to a 0-0 draw, Pulisic came off the bench to score a fantastic header in the 74th minute. Timothy Weah whipped in a cross from the right flank for the American forward to have a glancing header into the net. However, his viral celebration that followed after made more headlines than the goal itself.
INSTANT.
IMPACT.@cpulisic_10 scores his 17th international goal, tying him with Michael Bradley, DaMarcus Beasley, and Earnie Stewart on the #USMNT all-time scoring leaderboard. pic.twitter.com/9vKOnFW9je— U.S. Soccer MNT (@USMNT) November 13, 2021
His shirt read “man in the mirror” as Pulisic gave a cheeky reply to Ochoa and Mexico. Later on, Weston McKennie rounded off the match by scoring the second goal. However, Pulisic downplayed the importance of the celebration in the post-match interview.
“I think you guys know the message, I don’t want to speak on it too much, it’s not a big thing, not trying to cause controversy,” said Pulisic.
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Befitting reply
Post-game, Weah revealed how he and DeAndre Yedlin came up with the idea of showing that message.
“Before the game, Mexico was talking a lot of smack. To shut them up, we have to continue to win games, continue to beat them. That’s the only way we’re going to earn their respect and get the world’s respect,” said Weah.
Notably, America’s win meant the USMNT have now defeated Mexico for the third straight time this year; they defeated them in the Nations League and Gold Cup finals earlier.
With the national team now leading the CONCACAF table by +2 advantage in goal difference, they have a firm lead. However, will the USMNT easily qualify for the Qatar World Cup 2022, or is there more drama to come that will ruin this American dream?
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