Callaghan, Musah recall USA-Mexico memories

LAS VEGAS, Nevada – Another edition of the United States-Mexico rivalry will play out on Thursday night in the semifinals of the 2022-23 Concacaf Nations League Finals when the two sides meet at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Just two years ago in the Final of the 2019-20 edition, U.S. MF Yunus Musah got his first taste of this great Concacaf rivalry, as the U.S. triumphed 3-2 in extra time in a thrilling match.

Watching from the bench that night in Denver, Colorado, Musah saw first-hand what a USA-Mexico match means for the teams and the fans.

“That was the first time I saw a USA-Mexico game. When I was on the bench that day, watching it, the intensity of that game was something that I had never seen before,” said Musah in an exclusive interview with Concacaf.com.

“The guys were going at it, both sides, it felt like more than a final. It was personal. After that, I knew what it was like, and then I played in qualifiers against Mexico a few times so I really experienced how it felt,” added Musah.

B.J. Callaghan will experience his first USA-Mexico game as a U.S. Head Coach, entering into the lore of one of world football’s greatest games. It is an honor he does not take lightly.

“There’s just so much more than the soccer piece of it. It’s how closely we are related and how integrated our cultures are and it’s our opportunity to play in one of the most intense global derby matches,” said Callaghan in an exclusive interview with Concacaf.com.

“I think one of the great memories is of the Nations League Final from two years ago and how you're able to come together, how it all kind of transpired and then you win the game. World Cup qualifying matches are always super intense, but the opportunity to lift the trophy, winning and getting to lift the trophy always feels like a little extra for us,” added Callaghan.

Callaghan also recalled one of his fondest memories as a fan watching a USA-Mexico game, in particular a tight World Cup Qualifier in 2005 in Columbus, Ohio.

“You could just see towards the last 15 minutes of the game. Every moment is the biggest moment. For example, a guy sprinting to save the ball from going out of bounds, or to save a ball going to be a corner kick to being out of bounds. There's a sequence in that game towards the last bit where a corner kick cleared for another corner, then a corner kick cleared for another corner kick and so on. You could just feel the tension of what every touch of the ball in the last 10 minutes meant. That's when I realized like the magnitude of it; every play you think is going to be the next biggest play,” concluded Callaghan.