In story after story this week, it’s been stated that the USA is 0-18-1 at Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium. Problem is, Azteca wasn’t opened until 1966 — after the first 10 Mexico-USA games in Mexico City — all Mexico wins, of course — took place. The USA’s record at Azteca is a still-miserable 0-8-1. Here’s a look at where the USA and Mexico played in the pre-Azteca days …
PRE-AZTECA
1937, Mexico 7-3
Venue: Parque Asturias (home of Asturias FC, opened in 1936 and burned down by Necaxa fans in 1939).
1937, Mexico 7-3
Venue: Parque Necaxa (opened in 1930 and site of Mexico’s first World Cup home qualifier four years later against Cuba).
1937, Mexico 5-1
Venue: Parque Espana (opened by Real Club Espana in 1919 — the soccer team folded in 1950, but the club and its facilities still exist).
1949, Mexico 6-0
Venue: Ciudad de los Deportes (current Estadio Azul, home of Cruz Azul)
1949, Mexico 6-2
Venue: Ciudad de los Deportes (current Estadio Azul, home of Cruz Azul)
1954, Mexico 4-0
Venue: Ciudad de los Deportes (current Estadio Azul, home of Cruz Azul)
1954, Mexico 3-1
Venue: Ciudad de los Deportes (current Estadio Azul, home of Cruz Azul)
1957, Mexico 6-0
Venue: Ciudad de los Deportes (current Estadio Azul, home of Cruz Azul)
1960, Mexico 3-0
Venue: Estadio Olimpico Universitario (home of UNAM Pumas)
1965, Mexico 2-0
Venue: Estadio Olimpico Universitario (home of UNAM Pumas)