Mexico ended seven games without a win against the USA and handed Mauricio Pochettino his first defeat as head coach

CNN
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Mexico ended a seven-game winning streak against arch-rivals USA with a 2-0 victory in front of a loud home crowd at Akron Stadium in Guadalajara.

Striker Raúl Jiménez equalized in the 22nd minute with a stunning 30-yard free kick into the top corner before setting up César Huerta four minutes into the second half to seal the win.

The defeat is Mauricio Pochettino's first as head coach of the US men's national team in just his second game as manager, but the former Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham coach was missing a number of key players.

Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Ricardo Pepi and Tim Weah were all absent after returning to their clubs, although their substitutes failed to impress Pochettino.

“It wasn't a great performance, but this type of game is perfect for us to learn,” the Argentine told reporters, according to Reuters. “Overall, Mexico was a little better and absolutely deserved the win.

“For us it is a process. It was a great opportunity for our players to visit a very difficult venue. We can only improve and learn from this experience.”

Pochettino, who replaced Gregg Berhalter as U.S. head coach last month, began his tenure on Saturday with a 2-0 win over Panama.

In the upcoming international window in November, Pochettino leads the USMNT in his first competitive game in the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Nations League.

The win represents a much improved turnaround for Mexico, who were booed by their own fans after taking a 2-0 lead to a draw at the weekend against an undermanned Valencia side currently 18th in Spain's La Liga. There is no place, wasted.

“I think the team was aware of the poor performance in Puebla and wanted to prove that they are capable of playing better,” Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre said, according to the AP.

It was a fitting farewell for Mexico captain Andrés Guardado, who played his 182nd and final game for “El Tri”.

The 38-year-old kissed the badge on his shirt as he was substituted after 18 minutes to thunderous applause in his hometown and was congratulated by his teammates as he left the pitch.