Jesus Ferreira’s goal in the 81st minute rallied the U.S. men’s national team to a 1-1 tie against Mexico in Glendale, Ariz., on Wednesday.

The match was a “friendly” in soccer, but pride was at stake as always is the case when the border rivals play. The United States extended its unbeaten streak to five (3-0-2) vs. Mexico since El Tri’s last victory in the series in September 2019.

Ferreira scored on a breakout after a pass to the middle of the box by Jordan Morris. The sequence began with Mexico’s Carlos Rodriguez nearly making it 2-0, only to have his shot hit the bar and rebound to the United States, which went the other way.

The score was the only shot on goal in the game for the United States. Mexico had three.

Uriel Antuna gave Mexico the lead in the 55th minute when U.S. defender Aaron Long couldn’t corral a pass at midfield. Antuna picked it off in full stride and had a clear path to goal, where he deposited the shot at the near post past lunging goalie Sean Johnson.

In the 74th minute, Johnson made a diving save to his left on Roberto de La Rosa’s shot off a counter.

Since the game was outside of the FIFA international window, club teams from around the world were not obligated to release their players for the match. As such, neither team was at a level that might be expected when they next play June 15 in a CONCACAF Nations League semifinal at Las Vegas.

Major League Soccer players took 19 of 22 spots on the U.S. roster, with Sergino Dest the only European-based player. He has not played for Italy’s AC Milan since Jan. 24. The other two non-MLS players were Alan Sonora of FC Juarez in Mexico and Joshua Wynder, who plays for Louisville City in the second tier USL Championship.

Still, there were nine players on the roster who represented the U.S. at the 2022 World Cup.

–Field Level Media