There are streaks and then there is what the U.S. men’s soccer team faced with Mexico. It seems absurd to believe that the Americans could go 75 years without winning a game in Mexico. Seventy-five years.
Finally, however, with a 1-0 victory Tuesday night, the U.S. ended the ridiculously protracted streak.
In an ironic twice, the game’s only goal, scored in the 80th minute, was by Michael Orozco Fiscal, a 26-year-old defender from Orange, Calif., whose parents were born in — you guessed it — Mexico.
“The goal was for the U.S. fans and the whole U.S. We made history,” Orozco Fiscal said.
Mexico dominated control of the game for much of the night but the Americans did not relent. Orozco Fiscal’s goal was the breakthrough they needed, and goalie Tim Howard made sprawling saves to secure the history-making win.
“Just happy we won and made history,” the U.S.A’s Brek Shea said. “It’s something we haven’t done in a long time. Just to be on the roster is cool.”
Shea had a role in the game’s only score. He cut inside Severo Meza on the left flank and crossed to Terrence Boyd at the top of the 6-yard box. With his back to the goal, Boyd took a touch with his left foot and with his right made a quick backheel pass to Orozco Fiscal, who with his left foot poked it from 3 yards past goalkeeper Guilleremo Ochoaand defender Jorge Torres Nilo for his first international goal.
Orozco Fiscal, who plays in Mexico for San Luis, was a member of the 2008 U.S. Olympic team but hasn’t established himself with the varsity.
He entered in the 77th minute for his fifth international appearance and first since October. Shea, back with the team for the first time since February following a season of turmoil in Major League Soccer, came on a minute later. Boyd, a German-American who made his U.S. debut in February, had entered to start the second half.
