With the 2020 MLS season on temporary hold, SportingKC.com is taking daily strolls down memory lane with an "On This Day" web series that celebrates memorable moments in team history. As one of Major League Soccer's proud charter members, Sporting has a decorated past full of thrilling victories, amazing goals, momentous off-the-field developments and more. "On This Day" pays tribute to these specific instances, turning back the clocks while treating fans to nostalgia and club history lessons. To catch up on the series as it unfolds, visit SportingKC.com/OnThisDay.
Six years ago today, forward Alan Pulido got his first taste of the USA-Mexico rivalry in a marquee international friendly at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Donning red, white and blue on the opposite sideline? Sporting Kansas City defenders Matt Besler and Graham Zusi.
April 2, 2014 marked the only time that Pulido went head-to-head with Besler and Zusi in a battle between Mexico and the United States, and make no mistake: the spectacle did not disappoint.
With an electric crowd of 59,006 on hand, the U.S. raced to a 2-0 lead inside 30 minutes with goals from veterans Michael Bradley and Chris Wondolowski. Mexican legend Rafael Marquez cut the deficit in half shortly after halftime, setting the stage for Pulido to restore parity.
In the 67th minute, substitutes Paul Aguilar and Luis Montes combined down the right channel in a move that saw Aguilar's first-time shot hit the left post. However, Pulido was in the right place at the right time to slot home the rebound and level the score at 2-2. It was his fourth of five career goals for Mexico, as he had bagged a hat trick in his senior team debut versus South Korea earlier that year.
Both sides had their opportunities to grab a late winner, but the fierce Concacaf rivals ultimately shared the spoils in a game that took place two and a half months before the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
