The United States men’s national team dominated Mexico in the Concacaf Nations League semifinal with a 3-0 victory. What should have been a moment to celebrate was disgraced by fights between players and repeated homophobic chants from Mexican fans.
Before we get into the disgusting ending of the game, let’s take a quick look at the highlights.
This was the largest win for the USMNT against Mexico since June 2000. It could have been 4-0, however Christian Pulisic missed a golden opportunity in the 23rd minute when he dribbled past Guillermo Ochoa but lifted his chance over the bar.
Christian Pulisic does it all until the finish pic.twitter.com/AA43dQmX3i
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) June 16, 2023
Pulisic didn’t let the mistake get to his head and responded brilliantly with two goals.
CHRISTIAN PULISIC LOVES SCORING AGAINST MEXICO. pic.twitter.com/nwZZnRvkFx
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) June 16, 2023
CHRISTIAN PULISIC MAKES IT DOS A CERO. pic.twitter.com/JBvmCz4wxn
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) June 16, 2023
Ricardo Pepi added a third in the 78th minute to put the nail in the coffin.
SERGINO DEST FINDS RICARDO PEPI.
Pepi makes an instant impact FOUR minutes off the bench. pic.twitter.com/fBsuGInWxB— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) June 16, 2023
The goals should have been the big news, however they sit on the backburner because of the shameful ending to the game.
Mexico’s César Montes fanned the flames of the rivalry with a cowardly lash out at Folarin Balogun in the 69th minute. This foul was like a toddler throwing a tantrum. It started an altercation between the sides which saw Montes and Weston McKennie get sent off.
César Montes kicks out at Folarin Balogun and gets a red card. Things escalate and Weston McKennie is sent off too.
10 vs. 10 for the remainder of the match. pic.twitter.com/zkZe8nKDUe— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) June 16, 2023
The red cards didn’t end there as Sergiño Dest and Gerardo Arteaga got into another petty scuffle in the 85th minute. At this point the game had devolved into nonsense. Mexico knew they were beaten, and the two sides were at each other’s throats.
Weston McKennie
Sergino DestThey will both be unavailable for the Concacaf Nations League Final. pic.twitter.com/lLtnLh0qYA
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) June 16, 2023
McKennie and Dest will be unavailable for the final against Canada on Sunday.
While the players were unadmirable on the field, the Mexico fans at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas were far worse with repeated “ehhh p*to” chants, throwing beers on the field and flashing laser pointers.
The homophobic chant has repeatedly got the Mexican Football Federation in trouble with fines and home games behind closed doors. With their side losing the fans kept doing the chant which caused the game to be ended early.
The chant. pic.twitter.com/s8ZBJ627C1
— USMNT Only (@usmntonly) June 16, 2023
The match has been stopped due to discriminatory chanting.
— U.S. Men's National Soccer Team (@USMNT) June 16, 2023
The big story tonight will be the Gregg Berhalter rumor, but the #USMNT just kicked the crap out of Mexico...again. It wasn't even close. It never gets old. #ElTri fans were left with nothing but their offensive chat. Gracias de nuevo, mis amigos. #TresACero ⚽️
— Alexi Lalas (@AlexiLalas) June 16, 2023
Referee Barton took the decision to abandon the game because of the homophobic chant. It was largely gone in the US, but when it got nasty it came back with a fury.
I’m scared this is empowering Mexico fans when their national team is down. THEY ended the game tonight.— Nico Cantor (@Nicocantor1) June 16, 2023
This is sad, disappointing and disgusting from the Mexican fans in Allegiant Stadium. It’s a damn shame as it doesn’t represent all Mexico fans.
Mexico has one of the most passionate and dedicated fanbases in the world. They practically filled Stadium 974 in Qatar for the World Cup. Thursday night’s action paints the team, federation and fanbase a horrid picture.
FIFA will undoubtedly take action and punish Mexico for Thursday’s disaster.
Mexico plays again on Sunday in the third-place game against Panama while the USMNT faces Canada in the final.