America's Greatest Hex Moments
For 20 years, the United States men's national team has taken part in this Hexagonal tournament. In that time, the qualification process hasn't always been easy. The U.S. has had to fight its way out of some tricky situations, against some very tough opponents. If Bruce Arena's team is to turn around its slow start and make it to Russia 2018, it will have to channel some of the tenacity of the team's more illustrious moments.
Blanked: Mexico 0-0 USA (Mexico City, Mexico - March 26, 2013)
Just four days after the physically and emotionally draining win over Costa Rica in Colorado, the United States traveled south to take on old rival Mexico in its most imposing fortress: the 87,000-seat Estadio Azteca. While the U.S. had enjoyed a sustained period of success against Mexico at home and on neutral ground for much of the early 2000s, El Tri had broken the spell with rampant 5-0 and 4-2 wins in consecutive Gold Cup finals on American soil. Only once had the home side failed to win a competitive meeting between the two teams on Mexican ground.
Run ragged in the Rockies, the Americans defended with heroism and luck and somehow managed to hold off Mexico, which bombarded Brad Guzan's goal with 14 corner kicks and outshot the U.S. by a 17-1 margin.
To see what some of those look like, here's a dive into the most glorious Hex games in USMNT history.
Conor Casey's Big Day: Costa Rica 2-3 USA (San Pedro Sula, Honduras - October 10, 2009)
There's a reason Conor Casey was hugely popular in Philadelphia. The University of Portland product was every bit of his listed 6'2 height, and probably a bit more than his listed 170 pounds — and knew how to use it. But despite his MLS success, Casey was never a goalscorer at national team level — in 19 matches, he went scoreless in 18 of them.
That one game he did find the net, though, was a pair of goals against Los Catrachos to drive the Americans to a close road win and secure qualification for South Africa 2010. It was not long after a coup overthrew the Honduran government (one American journalist was mugged in the street), and emotions ran high in a stadium that has rarely been kind to visitors. After Honduras went up 1-0 shortly into the second half, Casey struck twice to give the Americans the lead, and a Landon Donovan free kick gave the cushion to hold off the hosts and punch the Americans' tickets to Cape Town.
Conor Casey's Big Day: Costa Rica 2-3 USA (San Pedro Sula, Honduras - October 10, 2009)
There's a reason Conor Casey was hugely popular in Philadelphia. The University of Portland product was every bit of his listed 6'2 height, and probably a bit more than his listed 170 pounds — and knew how to use it. But despite his MLS success, Casey was never a goalscorer at national team level — in 19 matches, he went scoreless in 18 of them.
That one game he did find the net, though, was a pair of goals against Los Catrachos to drive the Americans to a close road win and secure qualification for South Africa 2010. It was not long after a coup overthrew the Honduran government (one American journalist was mugged in the street), and emotions ran high in a stadium that has rarely been kind to visitors. After Honduras went up 1-0 shortly into the second half, Casey struck twice to give the Americans the lead, and a Landon Donovan free kick gave the cushion to hold off the hosts and punch the Americans' tickets to Cape Town.
The Snow Clasico: USA 1-0 Costa Rica (Commerce City, Colorado - March 22, 2013)
Costa Rica has always been the third of CONCACAF's three powerhouses, along with the U.S. and Mexico. Los Ticos have been confederation champions three times, and have qualified for three out of the last four World Cups, making the quarterfinals in 2014. After the U.S. fell to an opening-match loss to Honduras in San Pedro Sula, and with starting goalkeeper Tim Howard unavailable, coach Jurgen Klinsmann needed a big reaction.
The drama was only boosted by the elements, as a Rocky Mountain blizzard socked Dick's Sporting Goods Park and blanketed the field in American home white. the weather became such a concern, referee Joel Aguilar paused the match in the second half to clear snow from key areas and considered postponing the game. But it went on, with backup 'keeper Brad Guzan managing the slippery elements to keep his side of the score sheet clean, and Clint Dempsey, wearing the captain's armband, slotted home a deflected Jozy Altidore shot to earn all three points.
Blanked: Mexico 0-0 USA (Mexico City, Mexico - March 26, 2013)
Just four days after the physically and emotionally draining win over Costa Rica in Colorado, the United States traveled south to take on old rival Mexico in its most imposing fortress: the 87,000-seat Estadio Azteca. While the U.S. had enjoyed a sustained period of success against Mexico at home and on neutral ground for much of the early 2000s, El Tri had broken the spell with rampant 5-0 and 4-2 wins in consecutive Gold Cup finals on American soil. Only once had the home side failed to win a competitive meeting between the two teams on Mexican ground.
Run ragged in the Rockies, the Americans defended with heroism and luck and somehow managed to hold off Mexico, which bombarded Brad Guzan's goal with 14 corner kicks and outshot the U.S. by a 17-1 margin.
La Guerra Fria: USA 2-0 Mexico (Columbus, Ohio - Feb. 28, 2001)
There could be only one way to end this list. This was the first matchday of the final round of qualifying for the 2002 World Cup. The U.S. still had the humiliation of 1998 tournament (three losses, including Iran) fresh in its mind. Mexico, meanwhile, was looking strong; it had made the knockout round and only narrowly lost to the reigning European Champion, Germany.
It was bitterly cold - around 29 degrees with whipping winds- and the Mexican team declined to even take part in pre-game warm-ups. The Americans used the conditions to claim a psychological edge - American goalkeeper Brad Friedel wore shorts - and after a vicious, high-pressure match, goals from Josh Wolff and Earnie Stewart put the Yanks on the road to qualifying and the USA's best World Cup showing of the modern era. A year and a half later, Bruce Arena's men would make the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 1930. This match has fittingly gone down in history as La Guerra Fria - The Cold War.
It was bitterly cold - around 29 degrees with whipping winds- and the Mexican team declined to even take part in pre-game warm-ups. The Americans used the conditions to claim a psychological edge - American goalkeeper Brad Friedel wore shorts - and after a vicious, high-pressure match, goals from Josh Wolff and Earnie Stewart put the Yanks on the road to qualifying and the USA's best World Cup showing of the modern era. A year and a half later, Bruce Arena's men would make the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 1930. This match has fittingly gone down in history as La Guerra Fria - The Cold War.
Man Brad Friedel is so crazy.
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