An 89th-minute goal by Mexican veteran Rafa Marquez sealed the deal for the Mexican Football team last Friday night in their world cup-qualifying match versus team USA at the MAPFRE Stadium. The Mexican tormented Team USA all night before hitting the final goal that all but shattered the Americans' invincibility on their home turf where they haven't lost a World Cup qualifying game since 2001.
The Mexicans beat the Americans 2-1 in a dramatic game that gave Mexico a sweet revenge after losing four years in a row to team USA (2-0) in this same venue. On paper, Team USA should have had the home crowd and psychological advantage to hand team Mexico another defeat.
Instead, it was the Mexicans who came out guns blazing and could have ended things early in a first half that left the Americans trailing behind.
Goalkeeper Tim Howard suffered a groin injury and replacement Brad Guzan had to take on the responsibility defending the goal. But matters still didn't improve for team USA until an opportunistic goal from out of nowhere courtesy of Bobby Woods tied the game and gave USA the much-needed response to launch an all out effort to swing the game in their favor.
Having not lost a World Cup qualifier on home soil for 15 years, Team USA were determined to keep things unchanged. Team USA appeared to have taken control with Michael Bradley and Jermaine Jones began taking control of midfield and Wood's runs wreaked havoc on the Mexicans. Momentum and possession surely looked like it shifted toward the home side.
Then, Rafa Marquez happened, the new Mexican hero. Just as it seemed that Team USA were poised to tie the score, Mexico dealt the final blow. Being no stranger to American audiences due to his long tenure on the Mexican national team and a history with the New York Red Bulls, Marquez found himself free on the near post on a corner from the left and easily slipped a pass from Miguel Layun into the corner past substitute Brad Guzan.
It was the first loss for USA in a qualifier on home turf since a 3-2 loss to Honduras in Washington in 2001. Columbus had tortured Marquez so many times before that Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio described his winning goal as nothing less than a "gift from the football gods."
Despite the first time loss of Team USA on home turf, they still respected their opponent Team Mexico. They even posted on Twitter:
It might not have been the result we wanted, but thanks to the fans for a great atmosphere and for respecting the rivalry. #USAvMEX
