US-Mexico Countdown: No. 3

3. Copa America ’95 quarterfinal; July 17, 1995; Paysandu, Uruguay; US 0, Mexico 0, US wins 4-1 in penalties

Having reached the final in their first-ever Copa America tournament, Mexico had high hopes of not just getting back to the final but walking away with the championship. The U.S., meanwhile, entered the tournaments as lightweights yet again, but carried a bit more respect in 95 than they had in 93 after having beaten Colombia in the World Cup the year before. Even after a historic 3-0 upset victory over Argentina in the group stage and finishing atop the group, the Americans were underdogs against the more experienced Mexico side. However, the Americans rose to the challenge that El Tri presented. Mexico had several standouts from the 1994 World Cup team on the field, including Marcelino Bernal, Luis Garcia and Alberto Garcia Aspe but the U.S. did well to keep Mexico from scoring. After 90 minutes did not decide a winner, the match went to penalties. Eric Wynalda, Luis Garcia and John Harkes converted for their respective sides to start the shootout but Brad Friedel stood firm in goal and blocked a key shot by Carlos Hermosillo. Paul Caligiuri scored to make it 3-1 in favor of the U.S. while Alberto Coyote missed his attempt for Mexico. When Frank Klopas scored the fourth and decisive penalty, the U.S. had pulled off their second major upset of the Copa America and their first win over Mexico in an international tournament played outside its confederation. Mexico, meanwhile, were left scratching their heads over their early exit.

Lineups

US: Friedel - Burns, Caliguri, Lalas, Reyna (Sorber, 71), Stewart, (Klopas, 68), Dooley, Harkes, Jones (Ramos, 84), Moore, Wynalda

Mexico: Campos - J.Rodriguez, Suarez, Gutierrez, Vidrio, Bernal, (Ambriz, 79), Garcia Aspe, Coyote, Espinoza (Galindo, 68), Salvador (Hermosillo, 68), L.Garcia