FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – There have been 73 goals scored by the US national team in their 65 matches against Mexico over the years, and each one carries a story and memory with it.
New England Revolution striker Charlie Davies accounted for goal No. 62 in the rivalry, scoring in the ninth minute of a World Cup qualifier Aug. 12, 2009 in front of 105,000 in Mexico City. Given the history of the matchup, and Davies’ thirst for the game from a very young age, he was keenly aware of the magnitude of the event, making the moment even more magical for the then-23-year-old striker.
Those memories came flooding back when he watched Revs teammate Juan Agudelo score one of his own in Wednesday’s 2-0 win over Mexico at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
“US-Mexico has always been the game to play in as a US national team player. I remember coming to Foxboro Stadium and watching [them] here, just dreaming that hopefully one day I could play against Mexico in the US shirt,” Davies said Thursday, referring to when US-Mexico played to a 2-2 draw on April 20, 1997. “Finally having that come true, and playing in Mexico at Azteca Stadium with a 100,000 people was an unbelievable experience and something I love to think about.
“The goal is one of those moments I’ll never forget. A pass from Landon Donovan, I took a touch into space and I was able to score on [Guillermo] Ochoa, who had an amazing World Cup this past World Cup.”
Agudelo, who returned to the Revs this season after a year in Europe, made a memory of his own when he buried US goal No. 73 in the series, giving the USMNT a 2-0 lead over Mexico that they would take to the final whistle.
“It’s awesome,” Davies said. “Juan came back here with the goal in mind of getting back on the national team. Getting minutes and playing in the MLS helped him achieve that goal. Obviously, he’s going to be more confident, and that’s only a plus for us with him on the field.”
While he lives by the notion that that no one goal changes anything, Davies admits that scoring against Mexico was certainly a bucket-list item that he was able to cross off.
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In the wake of another “dos a cero” victory for the Stars and Stripes, and in reminiscing about his own big moment in the series, it appears he still has some items left on that list.
“I still want more,” Davies said. “Fortunately, I was able to play in a couple of World Cup qualifiers, and for me nothing really changes except the opponent. It’s something that you really look forward to. Every day I’m working here trying to hopefully get back one day so I can put that jersey on one more time.”
