The USMNT has the top scorer in the rivalry with Landon Donovan's six goals leading the way. Donovan found the back of the net during the USMNT's memorable 2-0 victory over Mexico at the 2002 World Cup and would be a consistent thorn in El Tri's side during their matchups.

That “connection between the fans and the team,” Pochettino said, “that is the connection that we [would] like to see in the World Cup. That connection that makes you fly.”

The U.S. men's national team secured a 2–1 victory over Guatemala at Energizer Park to punch their tickets to the Gold Cup final. Just three days after the USMNT dispatched a resilient Costa Rica side in a nerve-wracking penalty shootout,