American Outlaws Honolulu

Team USA and Mexico collided on the world’s biggest stage at the 2002 World Cup in the round of 16. Mexico had topped their group, finishing ahead of Italy, and many thought they could make a deep run in the tournament. The US finished second in their group, but had demonstrated they were dangerous after a big win over Portugal a week earlier. Both teams had their chances, but goals from Brian McBride and Landon Donovan gave the Stars and Stripes the win and bragging rights against their CONCACAF rival. Mexico’s humiliation was compounded by a red card to captain Rafa Marquez at the end of the game. Dos-a-cero over Mexico at the World Cup!!

The Spanish team that played Team USA at the 2009 Confederations Cup was amongst the greatest soccer teams in history. Legendary goalkeeper Iker Casillas was joined in defense by the likes of Carles Puyol, Sergio Ramos, and Gerard Piqué. Xavi, Cesc Fabregas, and Xabi Alonso were in midfield, and up front they had a world-class striker in Fernando Torres, paired with an even better world-class striker, David Villa. The team had just won the 2008 Euros, and was about to win the 2010 World Cup and then the Euros again in 2012, the only European squad to ever accomplish such a feat. Entering the match, Spain was unbeaten in its last 35 games and had won their last 15. But after 90 minutes, their streak was over as Team USA emerged victorious. Not only did Team USA win 2-0, they shut down the Spanish attack and were the more dominant team for much of the match.

In 1994, America threw the biggest party in soccer history as hosts of the World Cup. But were they ready or was Team USA going to be the tournament laughingstock? The Stars & Stripes had lost all of its matches during a quick exit at Italy ‘90, and it had been 44 years since the USA had won a match at a World Cup. After a tie with Switzerland, the Americans met Colombia at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena for their second match. In front of 94,000 rowdy fans, Team USA emphatically announced to the country and the world that soccer had arrived for good in the United States with a 2-1 victory that allowed Team USA to reach the round of 16.

The Stars & Stripes have faced the Three Lions three times in the World Cup. Significant underdogs each time, the USA earned respectable draws both 2022 and 2010 (and topped the group in 2010!). But the real glory came with a 1-0 victory in 1950, which is still one of the greatest upsets in sports history. That year, the USA sent a bunch of amateurs to the World Cup in Brazil. In the second game of the group, the Americans faced England, arguably the best team in the world. England dominated possession and hit the woodwork several times. However, a header from an accounting student at Columbia University named Joe Gaetjens in the 38th minute proved decisive. After the game, goalie Frank Borghi, a former professional baseball player, was carried off the field by enchanted Brazilian fans. Shellshocked, England could not recover and failed to exit the group.

With the new millenium, the balance of power in North American soccer saw a seismic shift. Since the year 2000, the USA has a 19-11 record against Mexico, with 8 draws. Ten of those victories have come with a 2-0 scoreline, promoting US fans to taunt their southern neighbors with the dos-a-cero chant. 5 of the victories were World Cup qualifying matches won in the state of Ohio, the Heart of It All for dos-a-cero.

Where were you on June 23rd, 2010? Tied 0-0 vs. Algeria at the beginning of stoppage time, Team USA were in 3rd place in Group C and moments away from being eliminated from the World Cup. But a quick outlet from Tim Howard led to this immortal counterattack that gave Team USA the victory. Instead of elimination, The Stars & Stripes won the group for the first time at a World Cup since 1930.

Team USA won the first three editions of the CONCACAF Nations League,
Lifting trophies in 2021, 2023, and 2024. The US beat archrivals Mexico in the finals in 2021 and 2024 and in the semifinals in 2023. Enjoy these highlights from the 1st and 3rd finals.

There is a strong argument that Landon Donovan is the greatest USMNT player ever. His 57 goals put him joint #1 for goals scored for the US Men, alongside Clint Dempsey. However, perhaps a more remarkable achievement were his 58 assists, making him the all-time leader in international men’s soccer when he accomplished this feat in 2014. Since then, only two players have broken this record: Neymar Jr. (59) and Messi (60). Enjoy this clip of his last assist for the national team , which was recorded February 1st, 2014 in a friendly against South Korea.