Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie were likely sound asleep in Italy. Several other U.S. men's national team starters were recovering from injuries. And in their absence Tuesday night, the USMNT lost to Mexico for the first time in over five years — in a match marked by debates over its significance.
On one hand, it was U.S.-Mexico, the CONCACAF Clasico, a combustible rivalry, and therefore a game that both sides insisted they'd play to win.
On the other, it was only a friendly, a pre-test without tangible consequence; and so, after Saturday's win over Panama, new U.