For the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT), facing Mexico is always one of the most anticipated fixtures. The intense rivalry has produced some unforgettable moments, and certain American players have managed to maintain an undefeated record against their southern neighbors. A recent discussion explored which US players have never lost to Mexico and who holds the best record in this historic matchup.
Kelyn Acosta: The Leader in Unbeaten Matches
One of the standout names is Kelyn Acosta, who has played against Mexico seven times and has never lost. His record includes four wins and three draws, making him one of the most experienced US players to remain undefeated in this rivalry. Acosta’s unbeaten run spans several key matches:
• 2017: Played 90 minutes in the 1-1 draw in a World Cup Qualifier at Estadio Azteca.
• 2018: Started and played 85 minutes in a 1-0 friendly win.
• 2021: Went the full 120 minutes in the epic Nations League Final win.
• 2021: Played 120 minutes again and provided the game-winning assist in the Gold Cup Final victory.
• 2021: Came on as a late substitute in the 2-0 World Cup qualifying win in Cincinnati.
• 2022: Played the full match in the scoreless draw at Azteca.
• 2023: Played 90 minutes in a 1-1 friendly in Phoenix.
Acosta was absent during 2019 when the US lost twice to Mexico, helping him preserve his undefeated record.
Other Players with an Unbeaten Record
Several other USMNT players have yet to experience defeat against Mexico:
1. Tim Weah – 5 wins, 1 draw
• He has played multiple matches against Mexico without a single loss.
• His most notable wins include key World Cup qualifiers and the Nations League Final.
2. Tyler Adams – Undefeated
• Adams was not part of the squad for any of the three US losses to Mexico since 2016.
• Has been a crucial part of the midfield in recent unbeaten games.
3. Chris Richards – Undefeated
• A key defensive figure in recent USMNT performances.
4. Ricardo Pepi – Undefeated
• The young forward has participated in games where the US did not suffer defeat.
5. Folarin Balogun – Undefeated
• A more recent addition to the national team who has yet to experience a loss in this rivalry.
6. Gio Reyna – Undefeated
• Despite a smaller sample size, he has never been on the losing end against Mexico.
7. Jesús Ferreira – 1 win, 1 draw
• His limited appearances have still kept his record clean against El Tri.
The Context of the Rivalry
The USMNT has only lost to Mexico three times since 2016:
• 2019 Gold Cup Final
• A 2019 friendly
• A recent friendly
This means many younger players have had the opportunity to maintain an unbeaten streak against Mexico, thanks to a dominant US stretch in the rivalry.
Who Has the Most Wins Without a Loss?
While Acosta has played the most unbeaten games (7), Tim Weah is believed to have the most wins without ever losing (5 wins, 1 draw). His ability to be on the field during crucial US victories against Mexico solidifies his spot among the most successful players in this fixture.
Final Thoughts
While many players have gone undefeated in limited appearances, Kelyn Acosta’s 7-game unbeaten streak stands as one of the most impressive records in the modern US-Mexico rivalry. Players like Tim Weah, Tyler Adams, and Gio Reyna also maintain their undefeated status, highlighting the dominance of the newer USMNT core against El Tri.
As the rivalry continues, it will be interesting to see if these players can maintain their streaks or if new names will join the list of unbeaten warriors against Mexico.
