Mexico vs. USA: Players Who Had Biggest Hand in Low-Scoring Friendly

Low-scoring soccer matches don't just happen. Players on both sides do their part to keep things that way, and Wednesday's international friendly between Mexico and the USA was no different.

Wednesday night's 1-0 finish was a combination of great defense and flawed offense. Michael Orozco's goal in the 80th minute was the difference-maker for the American side, but he was the only player who was able to break through for either side. 

Orozco wasn't the only player who had an influence in Wednesday night's friendly tilt. These players did as well:

Tim Howard

Howard's 33-year-old presence in the American net is almost always consistent, and he didn't waver Wednesday evening. 

Mexico took 19 shots (two on net), and Howard managed to turn both away. Even though only two shots landed on net, the high shot total is a good indicator of how much the American defense was under.

Team USA was out-possessed by a 32-percent margin, and Mexico took 10 corner kicks throughout the contest. Howard had to be mindful of his net at all times.

Howard is a veteran player, and he was in charge of keeping a young lineup in form for most of the second half. That's not an easy task, but he did an outstanding job.

Michael Orozco

Orozco didn't play the entire game, but he did wonderful work after he replaced Edgar Eduardo Castillo in the second half.

Not only did he score the game-winning goal, but he managed to hold shape in the back. In only 13 minutes of playing time (plus four more in stoppage time), Orozco became one of the game's most valuable players.

Orozco is only 26, but he came on the pitch cold and fit right in next to Team USA's starting defenders. Bringing in a substitute player can have a negative impact, especially on a defense's chemistry, but he stepped up to the challenge.

A defender isn't expected to be the decisive goal-scorer, but Orozco answered the call when it mattered most.

Guillermo Ochoa

Team USA pitched a clean sheet, but that doesn't mean Mexico's goalkeeper Ochoa doesn't deserve some credit here. The 27-year-old keeper didn't have to do as much as Howard, but he still had to hold up his end of the bargain.

Ochoa made two saves in Wednesday night's matchup. He failed to save Orozco's goal in the 80th minute, but he was flawless otherwise.

Granted, the sample size was extremely small, but the Mexican goalkeeper had control of his team. Part of his job is to see the entire field and provide direction for the players in front of him.

He did that, and was one save short of a clean sheet.