CONCACAF Cup: United States falls to Mexico, 3-2, in extra time

STATS

Shots

Mexico 15, United States 9

Shots on goal

Mexico 4, United States 3

Fouls

Mexico 12, United States 9

Yellow Cards

Mexico--Paul Aguilar (21st minute), Oribe Peralta (34th), Hector Moreno (43rd)

United States--Kyle Beckerman (52nd minute), Michael Bradley (87)

Saves

United States 3, Mexico 2

And there will be three minutes of stoppage time.

In the 74th minute now, Mexico has outshot the USMNT, 13-8, and has possessed the ball 65% of the game.

FIRST HALF STATS

GOALS

Mexico -- Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez (10th minute), assisted by Oribe Peralta.

United States -- Geoff Cameron (15th minute), assisted by Michael Bradley.

Shots on goal

Mexico 2, United States 1

Fouls

Mexico 6, United States 4

Saves

United States 1, Mexico 1

Yellow Cards

Mexico -- Raul Jimenez, Paul Aguilar

Geoff Cameron scored on a cross from U.S. captain Michael Bradley in the 16th minute. Cameron headed the ball into the top-left corner of the net.

Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez beat U.S. keeper Brad Guzan with a right-footed shot from about 10 feet out for his first career goal against the Americans. Oribe Peralta was credited with the assist.

Chants for Mexico often drowned out the small but boisterous USA fans in the sun baked stadium.

Music played on the loud speakers before the game and alternated between Spanish and English. An Elvis Crespo merengue was followed by rock-rich The Black Keys.

In a city with so many deep ties to both countries many fans struggled to align themselves with just one team.

Steven Lopez, 24, drove up traffic-choked highways from San Diego with three friends -- two cheering for Mexico and one hoping for a U.S. victory.

An American flag draped over his Mexico jersey, Lopez said his wardrobe more properly reflected his roots--the son of an American father and Mexican mother.

"It goes beyond soccer," said Lopez, who was fine with a victory for either team. "It's who I am, caught in-between. I was brought up with both cultures. It made me who I am today."

Francisco Soto has been counting down the days for the U.S. vs Mexico game at the Rose Bowl.

The 22-year-old, who lives a five-hour drive away in Monterey -- arrived at noon and is staying at a hotel. He and his two friends took uber to the stadium rather than drive.

"We wanted to avoid all this," he said, pointing to the long row of vehicles waiting to enter the stadium parking lots. "It's quick and easy and there's no headache."

Soto said he's hoping for Mexico's win.

"3-1" he said. "We'll win and go home happy."

Meanwhile, amid the grills and flags and tents, the atmosphere inside the stadium appeared to be so far peaceful--a departure from previous US-Mexico games that have turned violent.

There were the usual "USA" and "Mexico" chants.

It got a bit heated for a few minutes between the American Outlaws, a soccer fan club and Mexican fans. There was chanting and each side waved their flags. They jumped and tried to out scream each other like two barbarian armies.

Beer was sprayed and then came the handshakes, an occasional pat on the back and group photos.

This is just a game after all.

Neither U.S. Coach Juergen Klinsmann nor Mexico's Ricardo Ferretti have given much regarding tactics or lineups heading into Saturday's game. But Klinsmann says there won't be any surprises from either side.

"Both teams know each other so well," he said. "Both teams, when the game starts, need to make sure they keep their nerves under control because there will be a tremendous amount of energy. That thing will rock. And then go through the first part of the game and things will calm down hopefully and then we'll have an open game. This is our hope. Because of that energy in the stadium and the fans and all that they are looking for, I think both teams will attack at the end of the day. They'll both go for goals."

The last time Mexico and the U.S. met at the Rose Bowl the teams combined for six goals in a 4-2 Mexico win. If they repeat that level of production Saturday night the game will likely be higher-scoring that the Dodgers-Mets playoff game, which starts at the same time just up the freeway at Dodger Stadium.

Dodger starter Zack Greinke and Mets starter Noah Syndergaard have combined to allow less than five runs per nine innings this season. And the Mets and Dodgers combined to score just four runs in Friday's playoff opener.

Forward Javier Hernandez is five goals shy of tying Jared Borgetti's Mexican national team record of 46 goals. But none of his 41 scores have come against the U.S., despite the fact he's played against the Americans four times.