Jurgen Klinsmann's history vs. Mexico: Undefeated as player, coach

In 10 games as player and manager, Jurgen Klinsmann has never lost to Mexico. Grant Wahl runs down the USA manager's history vs. El Tri.

Grant Wahl | Oct 7, 2015

Jurgen Klinsmann's history vs. Mexico: Undefeated as player, coach /

There’s no other way to say it: Jurgen Klinsmann is at the lowest point in his four-year tenure as the U.S. men’s national team coach heading into Saturday’s USA-Mexico CONCACAF Cup showdown in the Rose Bowl. A fourth-place finish in this summer’s Gold Cup is the main reason, and (with the exception of friendly wins at Germany and the Netherlands) there has been a general malaise surrounding Klinsmann’s team since the end of World Cup 2014.

For the first time, in fact, people in the U.S. soccer community are starting to issue conditional calls for Klinsmann’s departure. Landon Donovan said on Tuesday that Klinsmann should be fired if the U.S. loses on Saturday, and he would hardly be the only one calling for Klinsmann’s removal should the U.S. fall to its archrival.

But Klinsmann does have something going for him against Mexico, a remarkable career record: In 10 games as a player and coach, including six as the U.S. manager, Klinsman has never lost to Mexico. Not once.

USA vs. MEXICO: All of our CONCACAF Cup coverage

Let’s break it down:

KLINSMANN, THE PLAYER

Germany 1:1 Mexico, October 14, 1992; Dresden, Germany (friendly)

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Klinsmann comes on at the start of the second half for the reigning World Cup champions, who see Rudi Völler’s 58th-minute goal matched by Carlos Hermosillo’s equalizer in the 72nd minute. The German team is coached by Berti Vogts, who’s now a technical advisor for Klinsmann with the U.S. team. Meanwhile, the Mexicans are managed by Argentine legend César Luis Menotti, the 1978 World Cup winner who will go on to coach Klinsmann at Sampdoria in 1997.

Mexico 0:0 Germany, December 22, 1993; Mexico City (friendly)

Three days before Christmas, Klinsmann plays 71 minutes in the scoreless tie before a crowd of 110,000 at the Estadio Azteca before coming off for Ulf Kirsten. The Germans will go on to a disappointing quarterfinal exit at World Cup ’94 in the U.S. the next summer.

Germany 2:1 Mexico, June 29, 1998; Montpellier, France (World Cup)

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Where have we seen this before? Mexico takes an early lead against a global power in a World Cup round-of-16 game, only to see the global power come back to win. After Luis Hernández puts Mexico up 1-0 in the 47th minute, Klinsmann ties the game in the 75th and frontline mate Oliver Bierhoff hits the game-winner in the 86th. Klinsmann retires as a player at age 33 after Germany’s quarterfinal exit.

KLINSMANN, THE COACH

Germany 4:3 Mexico, June 29, 2005; Leipzig, Germany (Confederations Cup)

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With Klinsmann now the Germany coach and still teaming up with Bierhoff (the general manager), the Germans win a wild third-place game at the Confederations Cup. Germany goes ahead three times (through youngsters Lukas Podolski, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Robert Huth), only for Mexico to equalize three times (twice by an on-fire Jared Borgetti). But Michael Ballack’s extra-time strike ends up making the difference as Klinsmann beats Mexico again.

USA 1:1 Mexico, August 10, 2011; Philadelphia (friendly)

Just 12 days after being named the U.S. coach (and about six weeks after a U.S. loss to Mexico in the Gold Cup final cost Bob Bradley his job), Klinsmann sees his team go down early to an Oribe Peralta goal. But the U.S. gets things going in the second half, and two Klinsmann substitutes come to the rescue as Brek Shea connects with Robbie Rogers for the 73rd-minute equalizer.

Mexico 0:1 USA, August 15, 2012; Mexico City (friendly)

After never beating Mexico on Mexican soil in 24 games over 75 years going back to 1937, the U.S. wins for the first time in enemy territory. Despite missing several regulars (including Clint Dempsey, Carlos Bocanegra, Steve Cherundolo and Jozy Altidore), Klinsmann’s Americans stun the hosts with Michael Orozco’s 80th-minute goal. “Time to change the sign,” U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard famously says afterward, referring to the tunnel walls at Estadio Azteca that show Mexico's record against its international opponents.

Mexico 0:0 USA, March 26, 2013; Mexico City (World Cup qualifier)

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For just the second time in history, the U.S. gets a point on the road against Mexico in World Cup qualifying. Coming four days after the U.S.’s 1-0 win over Costa Rica in the SnowClásico, the result completes a huge four-point week after several unnamed players had questioned Klinsmann’s coaching and methods in a story by Brian Straus. The tie sets the table for the U.S.’s easy qualification and sends Mexico into a tailspin that nearly sees El Tri miss the World Cup entirely.

USA 2:0 Mexico, September 10, 2013; Columbus, Ohio (World Cup qualifier)

The fourth straight dos a cero World Cup qualifier in Columbus allows the U.S. to clinch a berth in World Cup 2014 against its greatest rival. Goals by Eddie Johnson and Landon Donovan do the trick in a raucous atmosphere. Mexico’s embarrassment is only compounded soon thereafter when the U.S. scores late against Panama to save Mexico from World Cup elimination.

USA 2:2 Mexico, April 2, 2014; Glendale, Arizona (friendly)

Michael Bradley plays at the tip of a U.S. diamond for the first time and runs roughshod over El Tri, at least in the first half, as the U.S. builds a 2-0 lead. But Miguel Herrera’s Mexico storms back to tie the game as Mexico gives notice that things are turning around under Herrera ahead of a solid World Cup performance.

USA 2:0 Mexico, April 15, 2015; San Antonio (friendly)

Playing on a poor temporary grass surface at the AlamoDome against a Mexican C team, the U.S. sees Stanford’s Jordan Morris start and score his first international goal in another dos a cero.

That's 10 Klinsmann games against Mexico, 10 games without a loss. It’s an impressive record—and one he’ll hope to continue on Saturday.

GALLERY: USA vs. Mexico

USA vs. Mexico Soccer

November 11, 2016 – Mexico 2, USA 1

USA and Mexico players watch Rafa Marquez's 89th-minute header find the net in a famous World Cup qualifying win in Columbus for El Tri.

October 10, 2015 – Mexico 3, USA 2 (AET)

Jermaine Jones falls to his knees in disappointment as Mexico celebrates after Paul Aguilar's sensational volley in extra time captured the CONCACAF Cup for El Tri and sends the U.S. rival to the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup.

April 15, 2015 — USA 2, Mexico 0

Stanford University's Jordan Morris marked his first senior national team start with his first international goal, sparking the USA in another 2-0 triumph over Mexico, this one at the Alamodome in San Antonio.

September 10, 2013 — USA 2, Mexico 0

Eddie Johnson and Landon Donovan scored second-half goals to beat El Tri by the same score for the fourth consecutive qualifier in Columbus, Ohio.

March 26, 2013 — USA 0, Mexico 0

2013-0326-Omar-Gonzalez-Matt-Beslert-Javier-Hernandez.jpg — Hector Vivas/LatinContent/Getty Images

Clint Dempsey captained the U.S. to a 0-0 draw at Estadio Azteca, the second time ever the Americans registered a point in World Cup qualifying in Mexico (the other a 1997 tie). Defenders Omar Gonzalez and Matt Besler were the stars as Mexico couldn't cash in on several opportunities. The U.S. escaped to remain in second place in CONCACAF qualifying.

August 15, 2012 — USA 1, Mexico 0

It took 25 attempts, but after this friendly, the United States could finally say that it had won at Mexico City's Azteca Stadium. Despite being outplayed for most of the match, the U.S. won thanks to an 80th-minute goal from Michael Orozco Fiscal — the first international goal of his career.

August 10, 2011 — USA 1, Mexico 1

Head coach Jurgen Klinsmann's U.S. debut got off to a rough start, as the Americans trailed Mexico, 1-0 after an uninspired first half in Philadelphia. The U.S. showed more verve after halftime, though, and an impressive display from Brek Shea and a 73rd-minute goal from Robbie Rogers led to a 1-1 draw.

June 25, 2011 — Mexico 4, USA 2

2011-0625-Steve-Cherundolo-Jermaine-Jones-Giovanni-Dos-Santos.jpg — Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

In the Gold Cup final, Mexico captured its second straight title in the battle for CONCACAF bragging rights and secured a berth in the 2013 Confederations Cup. Pablo Barrera scored twice; Giovani Dos Santos and Andres Guardado also had goals. The U.S. was up 2-0 early on Michael Bradley and Landon Donovan goals, but poor defending (partially due to the loss of Steve Cherundolo by injury) doomed the Americans.

August 12, 2009 — Mexico 2, USA 1

The U.S. took its first-ever lead at Azteca Stadium, but went on to lose 2-1 in what was a critical World Cup qualifier for Mexico. The win changed the tide for the then-struggling Mexican squad, as it went on to go 3-0-1 in its next four matches to earn a trip to South Africa. The U.S. still went on to finish first in CONCACAF qualification.

July 26, 2009 — Mexico 5, USA 0

Mexico put an emphatic end to the Americans' 9-0-2 home streak against "El Tri." The Mexicans took the Gold Cup from the two-time defending champion, with five different players scoring goals in the second half at Giants Stadium.

February 11, 2009 — USA 2, Mexico 0

Two goals from Michael Bradley gave the U.S. another home victory over Mexico. It marked the eleventh consecutive time that the Americans had gone unbeaten against Mexico when playing on U.S. soil.

June 24, 2007 — USA 2, Mexico 1

2007-0624-Benny-Feilhaber-DaMarcus-Beasley-075246326.jpg — John Biever

Down 1-0, second-half goals from Landon Donovan and Benny Feilhaber gave the U.S. the victory in the 2007 Gold Cup finals. The win earned the Americans a spot in the 2009 Confederations Cup, where they achieved their famous upset over Spain.

September 3, 2005 — USA 2, Mexico 0

A 2-0 victory over "El Tri" clinched a spot in the 2006 World Cup, with goals coming from Steve Ralston and DaMarcus Beasley.

May 8, 2003 — USA 0, Mexico 0

In their first meeting since the 2002 World Cup, an all-MLS squad of Americans played Mexico to a 0-0 draw in front of more than 69,000 people in Houston.

June 17, 2002 — USA 2, Mexico 0

Arguably the biggest win in U.S. soccer team history came against its archrivals at the 2002 World Cup. Brian McBride and Landon Donovan gave the Americans a 2-0 victory in South Korea to send their team to the quarterfinals. It is the furthest stage the team has reached in the World Cup since 1930.

July 1, 2001 — Mexico 1, USA 0

Needing a win to stay in contention for the 2002 World Cup, the Mexicans won 1-0 at Azteca Stadium, making their record 21-0-1 when hosting the Americans.

February 28, 2001 — USA 2, Mexico 0

For the first time ever, the Americans won their third consecutive game against Mexico. The victory came in the World Cup qualifying finals and was held in Columbus, Ohio.

August 1, 1999 — Mexico 1, USA 0

Cuauhtemoc Blanco's goal in extra time eliminated the U.S. in the semifinals of the 1999 Mexico City Confederations Cup. The win capped off a long tradition of Mexican dominance over the American side, a streak that shortly thereafter ended, as the Americans won the next three matches against their rivals.

July 17, 1995 — USA 0, Mexico 0

The USA outlasted Mexico in a penalty shootout to reach the semifinals of the 1995 Copa America. After a 0-0 draw, goalkeeper Brad Friedel was the hero in PKs, making two saves. The U.S. made all four of its attempts and advanced.

Published Oct 7, 2015

GRANT WAHL

A leading soccer journalist and best-selling author, Grant Wahl has been with SI since 1996 and has penned more than three dozen cover stories.