COLUMBUS, Ohio — Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio says there's nothing magical about his streak-snapping away victories, but that the team earned them through hard work.
Klinsmann's early tactics fall flat
In Canada, Honduras and now, in the most difficult of all, Columbus, Mexico found its first win in some time - and in some cases ever. It had been since 1993 when last Mexico topped Canada on Canadian soil in a World Cup qualifier, and since 1972 that Mexico had beaten the U.S. in America in a qualifier.
While Osoiro said he's pleased to deliver these results for the Mexican people, he also said that there's no secret - only the hard work and planning he's always dedicated to the game.
"We don't think there's a magic formula. We have to take each game individually, consider the opponent, their capabilities, and like we always have a defined idea of how we're going to play with different alternatives and possibilities for our own players," Osorio said after Friday's 2-1 win over the United States. "Today for example we put the four guys up front together for the first time. They're all very talented, at times they looked very good and it was a game that quickly gave us the right circumstances.
"I remember in the match in San Pedro Sula with three center backs and two wingers because the game and the rival gave us that. For us, there's no recipe or magic formula, but there is planning and work ahead of the next opponent, and with that method fortunately we've been able to get important results."
Mexico gets dream result in Columbus
The previous four qualifiers here were all 2-0 victories for the United States, but Miguel Layun's 20th-minute goal combined with a late header from Rafa Marquez ensured that things would be different this time.
"As one of our assistants said well, we're not trying to change the history, because it's impossible to change it, but we're trying to make our own history," the coach said. "In this match, we showed that we have the mental fortitude to compete anywhere, that the team is able to overcome adversity, that it's capable of winning games in the last minute like many good national teams do on the international level."
Mexico now travels to Panama in search of a second away win and a six-point start to the 10-game final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualification.
