United States vs Mexico Final Score: US lose in excruciating fashion to Mexico in extra time

That was painful.

To put it simply, it was an incredibly tough loss for the United States. Conceding twice in the extra time period, including one winning volley by Paul Aguilar in the 118th-minute, is demoralizing in any game, but even more so in such a huge rivalry game like this one.

It was a game for the ages. Nobody could have predicted what went down between these two sides. From Javier Hernandez's opening goal in the 10th-minute to Bobby Wood's improbable equalizer in extra time, this match will go down as one of the best ever between these sides.

But for Americans, it won't be remembered in a good way.

After Chicharito's early goal, it seemed as though Mexico would take full control of the game, possibly making it Dos A Cero in their favor. But center-back Geoff Cameron took away that notion, at least for the time being, just five minutes later.

He headed in Michael Bradley's free-kick to knot up the game, giving the hosts all the momentum possible. But Mexico's impressive ability to keep possession and play balls over the top pulled it back in their favor.

Opportunities were abundant for El Tri throughout the first half, but over and over again the USA's defense managed to get a foot on it to keep it out of the net. With their efficiency and passing accuracy in the final third, the Yanks were forced to consistently track back and stay back on defense.

Obviously, this hindered their offensive ability, meaning their two forwards, Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore, didn't get many chances to touch the ball.

Things got a bit chippy when US goalkeeper Brad Guzan took offense to a sliding attempt made at the ball by Oribe Peralta, who would get tangled up with the Aston Villa starter.

The result was a hockey-style scuffle near the goal as well as a yellow card issued to Peralta. Fouls and cautions would be common occurrences from this point on.

The second half began with more chances for Mexico, but Guzan held the fort with a couple crucial one-on-one stops. As the second period progressed, more and more chances came about for the red, white and blue, but none were turned in.

When the clock began to get close to full-time, both teams seemed content with extra-time, as chances diminished in the final ten minutes before added time began, what with all the tired legs and all.

Mexico made two substitutions directly after the 75th-minute, and the US made one. But that one turned out to be very, very important.

DeAndre Yedlin entered for Gyasi Zardes in the 78th-minute, adding a combination of blazing speed and expert defending. Yedlin, currently on loan from Tottenham at Sunderland in the Premier League, clearly influenced the match considerably when he entered. Later on, he would make a very important play.

Early in extra time, it seemed to be all USA, as they seemed to be on the verge of scoring for the better part of the 15 minutes prior.

But it was El Tri that struck first, with Peralta finishing perfectly into the bottom corner past poor Guzan, who was given no chance at saving it. Aguilar set up the Club América man up on a platter, serving him a pass to around the penalty spot for the easy finish.

It was then Mr. Clutch, Bobby Wood, that managed to breathe hope back into the Yanks. After a beautiful run around the defense by Yedlin (told you he'd be back), a ball played through to Wood was turned in around Moises Muñoz to make it 2-2.

After Mexico fought off the subsequent attack by the United States, Aguilar scored the golden goal, a magnificent volley that was blasted into the bottom corner past a helpless Guzan.

It happened in the 118th-minute, less than five minutes before the final whistle blew. It gained Aguilar lifelong fame in the eyes of Mexican supporters, but at the same time, he broke the hearts of all US fans.

The Americans' desperate attempts at a miraculous equalizer were halted by the odd decision by referee Joel Aguilar to add just two minutes on, despite all of the goals being scored. Unsurprisingly, the game was ended before any real attack was mounted.

This was a classic, but it signals turmoil down the road for the losers. With World Cup qualifiers on the horizon, they need to get their act together, and fast. Will Klinsmann be helping them do that?

Unknown at this juncture, but it's unlikely, with the trust US Soccer seems to have in him. Whatever happens on that front, it's time to find a starting XI and stick with it.

LINEUPS:

US: Guzan, Johnson (Evans, 111’), Cameron, Besler, Beasley, Beckerman, Jones, Zardes (Yedlin, 78’), Bradley, Dempsey, Altiodore (Wood, 98’) (4-4-2 diamond)

Mexico: Munoz, Aguilar, Moreno, Reyes, Layun, Herrera, Marquez (Rivas, 76’), Guardado (Guemez, 80’), Peralta, Hernandez (Corona, 98’), Jimenez (4-3-3)

Goals: Hernandez, Mex., 10', Cameron, US, 15', Peralta, Mex., 96', Wood, US, 108', Aguilar, Mex., 118'.

CARDS:

Mexico: Aguilar (yellow), Peralta (yellow), Moreno (yellow), Guemez (yellow).

United States: Beckerman (yellow), Bradley (yellow).