USMNT, Mexico Draw in Friendly After Late Ferreira Goal

The 22-year-old’s strike in the 81st minute leveled the score to extend the Americans’ unbeaten streak against their rivals to five matches.

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Jesús Ferreira scored in the 81st minute on a counterattack that began when a Carlos Rodríguez’s shot hit off the crossbar, giving the United States a 1-1 tie against Mexico on Wednesday night in an exhibition missing most top players on both teams.

Uriel Antuna scored off an American giveaway in the 55th minute.

It's El Tri that finally breaks through against the USMNT! 🇲🇽

A mistake at the back for the U.S. allows Mexico to grab a second-half lead pic.twitter.com/PCYdrUw0O7

— SI Soccer (@si_soccer) April 20, 2023

After Matt Miazga’s giveaway to Atuna led to Rodríguez’s shot off the crossbar, Miazga lofted the rebound from inside his penalty area to Sergiño Dest, who dribbled through the midfield and passed to Alan Soñora.

Soñora sent the ball wide to Jordan Morris, who crossed toward a streaking Ferreira. Defender Luis Chávez tried to clear and the ball glanced off a foot to Ferreira, who directed the ball past onrushing goalkeeper Carlos Acevedo from 7 yards out for his eighth goal in 18 international appearances.

Jesus Ferreira equalizes late on!

The FC Dallas man finishes off a slick counter to draw the U.S. level with Mexico in the 82nd minutepic.twitter.com/B6V50Ucedq

— SI Soccer (@si_soccer) April 20, 2023

Because the match was not on a FIFA international fixture date, just two Americans and three Mexicans started who had extensive playing time at the World Cup. The teams meet again on June 15 at Las Vegas in a CONCACAF Nations League semifinal, when top players figure to be available.

In the 75th match between the rivals, the U.S. extended its unbeaten streak against Mexico to five games. The Americans failed to take a single shot in the first half, ending a 64-match streak with first-half shots since a loss at Italy on Nov. 20, 2018.