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"Dos a Cero," United States grabs three points during World Cup qualifying match in Cincinnati

Fireworks lit the night sky during the U.S. National Anthem before the USMNT defeated Mexico 2-0 at TQL Stadium on Friday.
Cory Sharber
/
WVXU
Fireworks lit the night sky during the U.S. National Anthem before the USMNT defeated Mexico 2-0 at TQL Stadium on Friday.

During a cold, rainy night inside TQL Stadium, the United States men's soccer team defeated Mexico 2-0, or "Dos a Cero," in a sold-out World Cup qualifying match.

Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie netted a goal each for the American side. Pulisic came on during the 70th minute. The Chelsea FC forward said he was ready to come in at any point.

The U.S. star forward Christian Pulisic scored after coming on in the 70th minute.
Cory Sharber
/
WVXU
The U.S. star forward Christian Pulisic scored after coming on in the 70th minute.

"The timing seemed, well you can't argue with the timing, it was perfect," Pulisic said. "It was our game to lose it felt like and we played really well today."

Assisting Pulisic on the goal was Lille forward Tim Weah. When asked about not having Mexico's respect before the match, he said it's a new era for the rivalry.

Tim Weah assisted on the U.S.'s first goal and said this match signals the start of a new era for the rivalry between the states and Mexico.
Cory Sharber
/
WVXU
Tim Weah assisted on the U.S.'s first goal and said this match signals the start of a new era for the rivalry between the states and Mexico.

"Before the game, Mexico was talking a lot of smack and you know, beating them just shuts them up and we have to continue to win games and continue to beat them and that's the only way we're going to earn their respect and earn the world's respect," Weah said. "I think we're on a great path right now and the future's bright."

The archrivals met in the Queen City for the 72nd time overall Friday night. While the U.S. is 22-36-15 all-time against Mexico, America has had a winning record against their foes since 2000 at 17-9-6.

The United States now jumps to first place in the CONCACAF group standings. Mexico is now second.

The USMNT will play Jamaica on November 16 in a World Cup qualifying match. Eight countries from the CONCACAF region are battling for three spots in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The fourth-place team will enter inter-confederation play for a final spot.

You can watch the full postgame press conference below:

Showcasing a "true soccer town"

Soccer fans across the country gathered at Rhinehaus on Friday ahead of the World Cup qualifying match between the United States and Mexico.
Cory Sharber
/
WVXU
Soccer fans across the country gathered at Rhinehaus on Friday ahead of the World Cup qualifying match between the United States and Mexico.

Before the match, fans gathered at Rhinehaus just a few blocks away for a live event hosted by Cincinnati Soccer Talk.

Bryan Wiegel is the co-host of the soccer podcast that mainly covers FC Cincinnati. He says this match not only has big implications for the sport nationally, but locally.

Cincinnati Soccer Talk hosted a livestream event at Rhinehaus on Friday. Bryan Wiegel (pictured right) is hoping the Americans can get their coveted three points.
Cory Sharber
/
WVXU
Cincinnati Soccer Talk hosted a livestream event at Rhinehaus on Friday. Bryan Wiegel (pictured right) is hoping the Americans can get their coveted three points.

Supporters from across the nation are meeting up with the local American Outlaws group in Cincinnati. Todd Smith is the president of AO Cincinnati. He says fans have come from as far as Hawaii to watch this match. He hopes that fans realize that Cincinnati is a "true soccer town."

"You think of great soccer towns in the country — St. Louis comes to mind, a couple others — we want to be right up there in that conversation," Smith said. "This is our chance to showcase that, this is our chance to show the country what we can do as a soccer city, and then hopefully that leads to bigger things like World Cup matches in 2026."

You can watch the CST livestream event from Rhinehaus below:

Cory Sharber attended Murray State University majoring in journalism and political science and comes to Cincinnati Public Radio from NPR Member station WKMS.