USA vs. Mexico: Score and Reaction for World Cup 2018 Qualifying

The road to Russia and the 2018 FIFA World Cup continued on Friday night in Columbus, Ohio, with Mexico defeating the United States 2-1 to earn three crucial points in the CONCACAF Hexagonal round. 

The game appeared destined for a tie before Rafa Marquez's header in the 89th minute put Mexico up for good. Mexico joins Costa Rica and Panama on three points after one game, while the USA, Honduras and Trinidad and Tobago are yet to earn a point.

Team USA came into the game with many players on the roster having just recently wrapped up their MLS season or on the verge of completing it, so finding the energy and stamina to stay focused proved challenging. 

The U.S. came out of the gate with little energy, and Mexico was able to take advantage of things early, with Miguel Layun putting his team up 1-0 in the 20th minute on a shot that just sneaked by Tim Howard, per Major League Soccer: 

As noted by ESPN Stats & Info, that goal for Mexico left the United States in a position it hadn't been in for nearly 20 years:

Things would get worse for the Americans later in the first half, as Howard left the game with what appeared to be an injured groin. 

Per OptaJack, Howard had been around the ball as much as any U.S. player in the first half before he was forced to leave:

Whatever head coach Jurgen Klinsmann's game plan coming into the night was, he needed to make an adjustment, because it wasn't working in the first half. Mexico had a 60-40 percent edge in possession and forced the U.S. into committing 10 fouls. 

Klinsmann did try a different strategy with his starting lineup, which featured five defenders: Fabian Johnson, Matt Besler, John Brooks, Omar Gonzalez and Timmy Chandler.

He hadn't deployed the 3-5-2 strategy in well over one year, though Will Parchman of Top Drawer Soccer offered an explanation:

However, the strategy was not working. Team USA was never in sync with that formation and had to play catch-up in the second half.

Per ESPN Stats & Info, trailing after 45 minutes has not been a successful recipe for the United States:

The Americans did look more aggressive to start the second half after switching to a 4-4-2 formation. Bobby Wood finally put them on the board with a terrific goal four minutes after the intermission, finding himself between two Mexico defenders after a terrific pass from Jozy Altidore.

He kept his composure to fire past goalkeeper Alfredo Talavera, per Fox Soccer: 

Things would continue at that pace for the United States throughout the second half. The team attacked Mexico territory with greater ease, though things did get testy between the two sides on a couple of occasions.

Javier Hernandez appeared to jump straight into Chandler at one point while acting like he was going after the ball. Carlos Vela was issued a yellow card after hacking the back of Jermaine Jones' leg a few minutes later, while Besler returned the favor to Vela after missing a clearing kick. 

The two teams nearly exchanged goals in the 74th minute. Wood had a terrific look for his second goal off a pass from Altidore, but Talavera was able to get his hands up and deflect the ball away. 

After Mexico quickly got into U.S. territory, Chicharito missed a chance when a pass moved just out of reach. Marquez would provide the heroics as time was starting to wind down, after he was set up beautifully by Layun's perfect corner kick, courtesy of Fox Soccer:

On the heels of Marquez's decisive goal, the morale for the U.S. team was summed up nicely in this picture:

This was certainly not the result the United States wanted, especially in its first World Cup qualifying match of this round, but this does not spell the end or impending doom for the team. 

Landon Donovan tried to bring the optimism for his former team after the game was over:

"

Tough way to start but it's a long process, still 9 games to go. Need to get a result Tuesday in Costa Rica #USAvMEX

— Landon Donovan (@landondonovan) November 12, 2016"

This was a win Mexico earned. It was the aggressor right out of the blocks, constantly bringing the pressure and forcing the United States to adjust the game plan. Things looked like they had completely turned around in the second half, but Mexico never got overwhelmed. 

As a result, Mexico earned the win and three points. There's still a lot of qualifying action left to go. Team USA plays Costa Rica, who beat Trinidad and Tobago earlier Friday, on Nov. 15. Mexico will play Panama, a team that is coming off a win over Honduras, on the same day.

It's important for both teams not to get too high or low based on Friday's result, just build off this match and prepare for the next one.