USMNT continues Kickoff Series tonight vs. Mexico in Nashville

NASHVILLE (Via U.S. Soccer) – The U.S. Men’s National Team continues its fall Kickoff Series by renewing its regional rivalry with Mexico on Tuesday, Sept. 11 in Nashville, Tenn. With both teams sporting younger rosters, the next chapter of the storied series will be written at Nissan Stadium.

Coverage of USA-Mexico, presented by AT&T, begins at 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN and Univision.

Fans can also follow along via U.S. Soccer’s official Facebook, Twitter (@ussoccer_MNT) and Instagram (@ussoccer_MNT) accounts.

DETAILED ROSTER BY POSITION (Club; Caps/Goals)
GOALKEEPERS (3): Alex Bono (Toronto FC/CAN; 1/0), Ethan Horvath (Club Brugge/BEL; 2/0), Zack Steffen (Columbus Crew SC; 4/0)

DEFENDERS (8): Cameron Carter-Vickers (Swansea City/WAL; 4/0), Eric Lichaj (Hull City/ENG; 15/1), Aaron Long (New York Red Bulls; 0/0), Matt Miazga (Nantes/FRA; 8/1), Shaq Moore (Reus Deportiu/ESP; 2/0), Tim Parker (New York Red Bulls; 2/0), Antonee Robinson (Wigan Athletic/ENG; 3/0), DeAndre Yedlin (Newcastle United/ENG; 53/0)

MIDFIELDERS (8): Kellyn Acosta (Colorado Rapids; 18/1), Tyler Adams (New York Red Bulls; 6/0), Marky Delgado (Toronto FC/CAN; 2/0), Julian Green (Greuther Fürth/GER; 11/4), Weston McKennie (Schalke/GER; 5/1), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders FC; 4/0), Wil Trapp (Columbus Crew SC; 7/0), Tim Weah (Paris Saint-Germain; 4/1)

FORWARDS (3): Andrija Novakovich (Fortuna Sittard/NED; 2/0), Bobby Wood (Hannover 96/GER; 40/12), Gyasi Zardes (39/6; Columbus Crew SC)

STORYLINES

LESSONS LEARNED VS. BRAZIL
The U.S. Men’s National Team had some positive moments, but ultimately fell 2-0 to third-ranked Brazil in Friday’s Kickoff Series opener at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. An MNT side averaging just over 23 years old fell victim to a well-executed 11^th minute strike from Roberto Firmino and 44^th minute penalty kick from Neymar after a dubious call in the box. While disappointed with the result, the youthful MNT side remained resolute following the match, understanding the contest provided plenty of learning experiences for the young group.

USA-MEXICO: THE NEXT GENERATION
Standing at the beginning of a new World Cup cycle, both the United States and Mexico have called up young rosters for Tuesday’s clash in Nashville. Players like Landon Donovan, Cobi Jones, Tim Howard and current MNT General Manager Earnie Stewart have written their names in the lore of USA-Mexico and now Tuesday’s match presents the opportunity for 16 players on the U.S. roster to get their first taste of the rivalry against El Trí. The group won’t go into the match without any experience against Mexico, as six of the “elder statesmen” on the roster have after been a part of the clasico before.

GOALKEEPERS GET SPECIAL MEXICO CHANCE
While a majority of players will get their first taste against Mexico on Tuesday night, the game also presents an interesting milestone for the three MNT goalkeepers: Alex Bono (one cap), Ethan Horvath (two caps) and Zack Steffen (four caps). With none of the trio holding more than four caps, whoever gets the nod will be the second-least experienced MNT ‘keeper to start a match against Mexico during the modern era (1990-present).

The least experienced was Jonny Walker, who had just two caps to his name before keeping a clean sheet in a 1-0 victory against Mexico on April 28, 2004 in Dallas. Below, find the cap numbers each goalkeeper that started a match against Mexico during the modern era had for to their debut appearance against El Tri:

RESTART UNDERWAY
With the 2022 cycle officially underway, the process of elevating a rising crop of internationals is already in motion. Since November of last year, a total of 18 players have been given debuts for the senior MNT. Fourteen of the 22 players assembled for Tuesday’s match against Mexico are 23 and under, while five are age-eligible to represent the U-23 MNT in the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying tournament and 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo. ussoccer.com has profiled 11 of these hopefuls at the start of the new video series RISING: Emerging Faces of the U.S. Men’s National Team, which chronicle the route of players on their quest to become a part of the National Team by going behind the scenes with family, youth, coaches, teammates and professional club managers from across the world. [WATCH SERIES]

SPREADING THE WEALTH
Youth is certainly well served on the roster, with 15 players age 23 and under. A total of 12 players on the roster ply their trade in Europe, while 11 represent MLS clubs. Teams from nine different countries are sending players to the New York area, with Columbus Crew SC and New York Red Bulls each contributing a trio to the squad. There’s also a big range in fitness and form, with European seasons just underway while the domestic players are in full stride towards the push to the playoffs.

USA-MEXICO NOTES

• The USA meets Mexico for the 68th time on Tuesday, by far the most matches played against any international opponents.
• The MNT trails the all-time series with an 18-34-15 mark, but leads the series since 2000, holding a 13-7-6 record.
• The most memorable and highest-stakes match between the sides came in the Round of 16 at the 2002 FIFA World Cup when the U.S. used goals from Brian McBride and Landon Donovan to earn a 2-0 victory.
• Most recently, the teams played to a memorable 1-1 draw during World Cup Qualifying last June at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, with Michael Bradley putting a remarkable first-half chip from distance to open the scoring.
• Three current MNT players appeared in that match, with Kellyn Acosta, Bobby Wood and DeAndre Yedlin all starting the game.
• The USA’s 23-player roster will have an average of 23 years, 157 days, while Mexico’s squad averages 24 years, 204 days.

USA ROSTER NOTES

• Fourteen players are age 23 or under, with only one player born before 1990.
• This roster averages 11 caps, with DeAndre Yedlin (53), Bobby Wood (40) and Gyasi Zardes (39) leading the way.
• The roster features players that ply their trade in nine different countries: USA (8), Germany (3), England (3), Canada (2), France (2), Belgium, Netherlands, Spain and Wales (1 each).
• Coming off the bench against Brazil, midfielder Kellyn Acosta made his first MNT appearance since last taking part in the USA’s 1-1 draw at Portugal on Nov. 14, 2017.
• Defender Aaron Long is the sole player earning his first MNT call-up. A 2018 MLS All-Star selection, the 25-year-old has appeared in all 28 MLS matches for New York Red Bulls this season and comes to camp having helped the club to the top of the league’s Supporter Shield standings.
• Long’s center back partner with the Red Bulls Tim Parker joins him in MNT camp after earning his first two caps against Ireland and France in June. The pair have helped New York to a defensive record of 28 goal against this season – second best in Major League Soccer
• In the midst of his first season with Columbus Crew SC, forward Gyasi Zardes leads all U.S.-eligible MLS players with 15 goals this season.
• Right back DeAndre Yedlin came to camp on the heels of his first goal in the English Premier League in Newcastle United’s 2-1 loss at Manchester City on Saturday.
• Having joined Dutch club Fortuna Sittard on loan this summer, Andrija Novakovich already has two goals for the Dutch Eredivisie side this season, most recently tallying in Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Utrecht.
• The youngest player on the September roster, Tim Weah tallied in PSG’s 4-0 win against Monaco in the French Super Cup on Aug. 4 and the club’s 3-0 win against Caen in their Ligue 1 opener on Aug. 12. while John Brooks also tallied his first for Wolfsburg in a 2-1 win against Schalke on Aug. 25.
• Six players have previously represented the MNT against Mexico: Yedlin (5 games), Wood (3), Zardes (2), Acosta, Green and Lichaj (1 each)
• Bobby Wood has scored twice in his three appearances against Mexico, with goals coming on Oct. 10, 2015 and Nov. 11, 2016.
• With goals against Paraguay and Ireland, Wood is one of three players on the roster to find the back of the net for the MNT in 2018, joined by Julian Green (France) and Tim Weah (Bolivia).
• Julian Green made his MNT debut in a game against Mexico, coming on as a 59th minute substitute in a 2-2 draw on April 2, 2014 in Glendale, Ariz.
• Midfielders Tyler Adams and Wil Trapp lead all players on the roster with five MNT appearances in 2018. The pair has only missed out on the 3-0 win against Bolivia on May 28 in Chester, Pa.
• Whether through loan, trade or transfer, eight players have taken up residence at new clubs over the summer: Acosta (Colorado Rapids; Trade), Carter-Vickers (Swansea City; Loan), Eric Lichaj (Hull City; Transfer), Matt Miazga (Nantes; Loan), Shaq Moore (Reus Deportiu; Loan) Andrija Novakovich (Fortuna Sittard; Loan), Antonee Robinson (Wigan Athletic; Loan), Bobby Wood (Hannover 96; Loan)
• Ten players have been part of a final U.S. roster at a youth World Cup: Kellyn Acosta, Tyler Adams, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Ethan Horvath, Matt Miazga, Shaq Moore, Zack Steffen, Wil Trapp, Tim Weah, DeAndre Yedlin.
• Fourteen players are products of U.S. Soccer Development Academy clubs: Kellyn Acosta (FC Dallas), Tyler Adams (New York Red Bulls), Alex Bono (Empire United), Ethan Horvath (Real Colorado), Aaron Long (Arsenal FC), Weston McKennie (FC Dallas), Matt Miazga (New York Red Bulls), Shaq Moore (FC Dallas), Andrija Novakovich (Chicago Magic), Zack Steffen (Continental FC DELCO), Wil Trapp (Columbus Crew SC), Tim Weah (BW Gotschee/New York Red Bulls), DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders FC/Crossfire Premier), Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy).

MEXICO ROSTER BY POSITION:

DEFENDERS (7): José Abella (Santos Laguna), Oswaldo Alanís (Real Oviedo/ESP), Edson Álvarez (Club América), Jesús Angulo (Tijuana), Gerardo Arteaga (Santos Laguna), Jesús Gallardo (Monterrey), Luis Rodríguez (Tigres UANL)

MIDFIELDERS (8): Erick Aguirre (Pachuca), Roberto Alvarado (Cruz Azul), Jonathan dos Santos (LA Galaxy/USA), Jonathan González (Monterrey), Víctor Guzmán (Pachuca), Elías Hernández (Cruz Azul), Diego Lainez (Club América), Orbelín Pineda (Guadalajara)

FORWARDS (4): Raúl Jiménez (Wolverhampton Wanderers/ENG), Rodolfo Pizarro (Monterrey), Alan Pulido (Guadalajara), Ángel Zaldívar (Guadalajara)

MEXICO NOTES

• Mexico began the new World Cup cycle with a 4-1 defeat to Uruguay on Friday night in Houston.
• Raul Jiménez scored the lone goal in the match for Mexico, a penalty kick in the 25th minute.
• Mexico is being led in the interim by Ricardo “Tuca” Ferretti, who also serves as head coach of Liga MX side Tigras UANL.
• Current LA Galaxy midfielder Jonathan dos Santos is part of the Mexico squad.