THERE were a few anxious moments for the United States in their CONCACAF U17 top-of-table final round clash against Mexico at the Nuevo Estadio Maracaná de Panamá on Wednesday.
The United States ended 4-3 winners, though it was Mexico, who started brightest in the rain.
It took just six minutes for Carlos De La Rosa to get onto the scoresheet via a pass from Jesus Perez.
Twenty minutes later the US were back in it, Joshua Sargent putting them on level terms.
Things would go pear shaped for the Mexicans after Sargent was at it again, giving the US their first lead of the encounter in the 40th minute.
De La Rosa was also in a brace-making mood, as his 44th-minute effort meant the teams would go into the half-time break on level terms.
Six minutes after the restart, US left-sided midfielder, Blaine Ferri, put the team back in charge.
The 51st minute goal knocked the stuffing out of the Mexicans who could find no way back.
Things got worse in the 84th when Ayomide Akinola struck for the US to make it 4-2.
The game may have been over for the smattering of spectators in the stands, but it wasn’t.
A right sided cross from one of many Mexican moves in the second half was inadvertently turned in by US right back Jaylin Lindsey.
That misque, could have been costly as Mexico came to life in the final three minutes of time allowed for stoppages, testing the US backline with wave after wave.
The three minutes of pressure counted for nought in the end as the US went to the top of the table with six poitnts, all but guaranteeing a place in the semi-final of the competition.
Mexico in the meantime, remain in second place with a final match against Jamaica to consider.
Jamaica rebounded from an opening day loss to beat El Salvador 3-1 and lie in third on three points, the same as Mexico. The only tie-breaker at the moment is goal difference and Mexico hold that with a +5 to Jamaica’s -4.
El Salvador are at the foot of the table having yet to earn a point.
The win also marks the first time in six attempts that the US are getting the better of Mexico in this competition.(Sportsmax).