Recap: Matt Besler starts as U.S. MNT falls 2-1 to Mexico in Columbus

Sporting Kansas City defender Matt Besler started and played 81 minutes on Friday as the United States Men’s National Team opened the Hexagonal with a hotly contested 2-1 defeat to Mexico.

Besler anchored the left side of head coach Jurgen Klinsmann’s backline, collecting his 38th cap and making his ninth World Cup qualifying appearance at sold-out MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. Sporting Kansas City midfielder Graham Zusi was an unused substitute in the first meeting between the fierce rivals since the CONCACAF Cup in October 2015.

Miguel Layun fired Mexico ahead in the 20th minute before Bobby Wood restored parity four minutes into the second half. The visitors, however, would grab all three points with an 89th-minute header from veteran defender Rafael Marquez following Layun’s corner kick.

The result gives Mexico its first World Cup qualifying win on U.S. soil since 1972 and an early advantage in the Hexagonal standings. CONCACAF’s final World Cup qualifying round features six teams playing in a home-and-away, double-round-robin format between November 2016 and October 2017, with the top three finishers punching their ticket to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. The fourth-place finisher will meet an Asian side in a two-legged playoff in November 2017.

Klinsmann’s men opened the match in a 3-5-2 formation and were on the back foot early. Jesus Corona was involved in the game’s first chance, hitting the right post with a curling strike on the edge of the box. Javier Hernandez nearly converted the rebound but couldn’t react quick enough to make contact in the penalty area.

Mexico drew first blood 10 minutes later when Layun pounced on a loose ball and pulled the trigger, his 20-yard effort nestling into the right corner of the net by way of deflection. Five minutes later, Carlos Vela’s header rattled the woodwork to give the U.S. a sigh of relief and keep the deficit at 1-0.

The U.S. suffered a setback in the 40th minute when goalkeeper Tim Howard was injured in innocuous fashion while taking a goal kick, ushering Brad Guzan into the contest.

The Americans had switched to a 4-4-2 setup halfway through the first half and began the second period brightly. The hosts found their equalizer in the 49th minute when Altidore powered into the attacking third and picked out Wood inside the box. The 23-year-old’s ensuing shot deflected off a defender and squeezed under the outsretched hand of goalkeeper Alfredo Talavera.

With momentum on their side, the U.S. came close to surging ahead twice in the final 15 minutes. Wood’s well-struck volley was saved, then Altidore’s dipping free kick was touched inches over the crossbar by Talavera.

The final twist in the tale brought delight to the Mexicans, who went ahead in the 89th minute on a corner kick from Layun. The 37-year-old Marquez nodded the ball into the far corner of the net at the near post, securing victory for head coach Juan Carlos Osorio’s side.

Besler, Zusi and the U.S. MNT now turn their attention to Tuesday’s daunting test at Costa Rica. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. CT at Estadio Nacional in San Jose, with live television coverage on beIN SPORTS. Mexico will remain on the road, visiting Panama at the same time Tuesday.

U.S. MNT Hexagonal Schedule & Results