NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Mexico's 2-1 win against New Zealand differed from other friendlies and matches in general that Mexico has played recently in that it actually was an entertaining game. That wasn't necessarily a good thing for Mexico, though.
Another match that before the game looked like an opportunity for a blowout for Mexico passed with a close result. That was always possible, and really it is any time any two teams take the field, such being the beauty of international soccer.
That will be of little solace to Mexico fans tired of seeing their team scrape by, but they can comfort themselves knowing that the edition of the team on display tonight was a different group than the one that will take on the United States and Panama when the final round of World Cup qualification begins next month.