HOUSTON -- In the Copa America Centenario, the U.S. men's national team finished among the final four; Mexico's national team didn't. However when both teams played against their toughest opponents in the tournament -- Mexico vs. Chile in the quarterfinals and the U.S. vs. Argentina in the semifinals -- both teams failed significantly.
Argentina scored four goals against Jurgen Klinsmann's USMNT, while Chile tallied seven against Juan Carlos Osorio's El Tri. CONCACAFs main sides conceded 11 goals against last summer's Copa America finalists.
The losses, which make the U.S. and Mexico seem as if they still have a long way to go to match the top CONMEBOL teams, come at a time when both are still trying to define their playing styles.