Brazil vs. Mexico: El Tri Victory Illustrates Gap Between Mexico and Team USA

Mexico used a strong defensive performance and timely goals from its two offensive stars to defeat Brazil on Sunday. It's a victory that proves El Tri have a clear advantage in CONCACAF after the United States were crushed by the Brazilians.

With regional qualifying set to begin later in the week, Mexico couldn't have asked for a bigger confidence boost than defeating one of the world's best teams. 

It was an impressive performance across the board, leading to a 2-0 win.

Giovani Dos Santos and Javier Hernandez scored the goals.

The attacking duo gives Mexico a distinct advantage over its rivals from the north, which have struggled to find the net consistently under manager Jurgen Klinsmann.

Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey are supposed to serve as the American answer to Mexico's young tandem, but they haven't logged much playing time together under Klinsmann, and it showed in the team's scoreless draw against Canada.

The United States will now enter qualifying with some lingering doubts, despite being a heavy favorite to advance to the final round. A loss to Brazil and Sunday's lackluster draw erased any positive momentum built up during the destruction of Scotland.

On the flip side, Mexico has a lot to feel good about as its journey toward the 2014 World Cup begins. Not only did the team's two biggest stars score goals against Brazil, but the back line also shut down an elite attacking group.

It takes a supreme effort to keep Neymar and Hulk off the score sheet nowadays, but Mexico's defenders were up to the task.

Even though it was only a friendly, it goes a long way in proving some of the relative unknowns at the back can hang with top-notch talents.

The American back line wasn't nearly as competitive with Carlos Bocanegra and Steve Cherundolo emerging as the only reliable options, and even they've had their fair share of shaky moments.

It's another gap between the two CONCACAF powers.

While both teams should still be expected to earn trips to Brazil for the next World Cup, Mexico has to feel a lot more comfortable with its current form than the United States. Form is a huge factor when one bad result could turn the tide, and the Americans are struggling to find theirs.

Both sides begin qualifying on Friday with Mexico taking on Guyana while the United States face Antigua and Barbuda. Each team will be looking to get off to a quick start to set the stage for a smooth run into the final stage.

As it stands right now, Mexico is in a class of its own in CONCACAF with the United States playing catch-up.