With the USMNT and Mexico battling it out in a rare friendly on Tuesday night, we look at the best-combined players of both teams.
Goalkeeper: Jorge Campos (Mexico)
The United States has had many fantastic goalkeepers, including Brad Friedel and, most recently, Tim Howard. He saved a record 16 shots against Belgium during the round of 16 at the World Cup 2014.
Mexico also has its fair share of elite goalkeepers, with Guillermo Ochoa playing in a record five World Cups.
But it’s the ever-stylistic Jorge Campos that takes the cake. The flashy keeper starred in three World Cups and won two Gold Cups. He also played a vital role in that 1999 Confederations Cup win.
Left Back: Carlos Bocanegra (USA)
Defender Carlos Bocanegra earned over 100 caps for the USMNT, a majority while serving as captain. The left-back took his talents all over the world, including Fulham, Rangers, and the French League.
Center Back: Rafa Márquez (Mexico)
El Kaiser played in five World Cups for El Tri. Now, the legend is on the Mexico coaching staff.
Márquez was as versatile as they come: a superb defender who could kickstart an attack. The central defender also starred in Barcelona, where he won two Champions League titles.
Center Back: Claudio Suárez (Mexico)
El emperador Claudio Suarez is the second most-capped player for Mexico, with 177 caps. He held the backline for El Tri and, in the ’90s and early 2000s, captained the side to success.
Right Back: Steve Cherundolo (USA)
Three-time World Cup player Steve Cherundolo was one of the first Americans to excel abroad. He played for Hannover 96 for 15 seasons. Always dependable, his performances at Hannover earned him the nickname “Mayor of Hannover.”
Defensive Midfielder: Claudio Reyna (USA)
Before current USMNT standout Gio Reyna, there was his father, Claudio. The senior earned 112 caps with the USMNT, including his captaincy at the 2006 World Cup. He also became the first American player to captain a European club, as he did with Wolfsburg in 1997.
Central Midfielder: Andrés Guardado (Mexico)
Andres Guardado has spent half of his life with the Mexican national team. He started with them at 19 and is still playing at 38. Like Ochoa, he’s also played in a record five World Cups. Class midfielder.
Attacking Midfielder: Landon Donovan (USA)
Famously cut from the 2014 World Cup squad, Landon Donovan remains one of the country’s most talented players. The attacker recorded 58 assists in 157 matches for USMNT, including scoring some of its most memorable goals.
Left Wing: Cuauhtémoc Blanco (Mexico)
Cuauhtémoc Blanco earned over 100 caps for the Mexican national team, scoring 39 goals. He found the net in three World Cups (1998, 2002, and 2010) and won the Confederations Cup in 1999, scoring six goals. Adding to his tally, Blanco scored three more goals in the 1997 Confederations Cup, making him the joint-top scorer in the tournament’s history alongside Ronaldinho.
Right Wing: Christian Pulisic (USA)
Christian Pulisic is currently the best player in Concacaf. At 26, the attacker is already fifth on the US assist list with 17 and has 31 goals in 74 matches. Captain America.
Forward: Jared Borgetti (Mexico)
Jared Borgetti played in 89 matches for the Mexican national team. He finished as their second-highest scorer with 46 goals, just behind Chicharito. His most unforgettable moment as a striker came when he scored the decisive goal that stunned Brazil in the 2005 Confederations Cup.
