When the USMNT scored vs. Mexico at Azteca: 'I felt like I teleported out of my body'

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3:29 PM ET

The Estadio Azteca is peerless in North America due to its combination of history, decibels and lack of oxygen. Only one of two stadiums to host the World Cup final twice, along with Rio's fabled Maracana, can compare to Mexico's home ground.

The stories passed down through generations of the United States men's national team only enhance that perception, and their performances at the Azteca certainly don't diminish it. The U.S. has never left the Azteca with a win in World Cup qualification.

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It was almost impossible to get a result, according to former USMNT player Charlie Davies. It was almost like a victory for me, it was the game I dreamed of playing since I was a kid.

Heading into Thursday's renewal (10 p.m.). The stakes for both teams couldn't be higher. The United States and Mexico are tied for second place in the final window of World Cup qualification and need to win their final three games to make it to the World Cup.

With games against Panama and Costa Rica remaining, the U.S. team has a very small margin for error. If Mexico lost to the U.S. in a competitive match at the Aztec, it would be the first time in the history of the tournament that El Tri had lost.

Davies was pulled aside by multiple U.S. players before heading to Azteca for the game. Davies said that you will never play in another atmosphere like this. You might play in front of a lot of people, but they are hostile.

It is the only place I have ever played in where you could scream at the top of your lungs to someone who is five yards away.

Davies had the full Azteca experience. The team flew in the night before the game and were told to use fake names when checking into the hotel. The tactic they used in the past to disrupt their rivals was to mitigate wake-up calls from Mexican fans. An unofficial welcoming committee found their way to the lobby that night with airhorns and a symphony of car horns playing outside.

Davies said it was to get your focus off the game.

'Obligation for perfection'

The United States-Mexico games at the Azteca have been competitive since 1997. The U.S. hasn't won there, but it has three draws in their last six trips, and the other three losses have all been by one goal.

There was a lot of pressure when playing for the Mexican national team. I didn't have a lot of experience in those kinds of World Cup qualification.

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Borgetti, who had yet to face the United States in an official competition before the 2001 qualifier, said there was an obligation to do things very nearly to perfection.

The games that are always challenging are the ones that leave you with a nice feeling.

Juarez, who played in several key matches against the U.S. over the years, recalls that the 2009 edition was not a normal game. He and his teammates watched themselves eat breakfast on TV as helicopter cameras filmed them.

'Too tired to celebrate'

The altitude in Mexico City is a topic of discussion. At 7,200 feet above sea level, there isn't a perfect solution to adequately prepare for the toll the lack of oxygen takes on unaccustomed lungs.

The United States traveled to the Azteca in 1997. The team spent two weeks near Big Bear Lake in the San Bernardino Mountains, which sits at a similar altitude as Mexico City. The players would bus two hours away to the city of San Bernardino each day to train in a hot, smoggy environment in order to mimic the conditions they would experience at the Colo.

Eric Wynalda, a former USMNT forward, said that it was impossible to say that it didn't help.

The United States had played away against Mexico 19 times. They were 0-19-0.

Wynalda started the 1997 game in the middle of the field, but had to switch to left back when Jeff Agoos was sent off in the first half. Wynalda had to sprint up the field in attack and then track back after a run of play.

I tackle the ball out of bounds after running back. Wynalda said that he came over to the post and threw up on Friedel.

Wynalda was taken out of the game in the 71st minute and his teammates encouraged him to slow down. The U.S. saw out the draw to get their first point in Mexico.

Wynalda said they were too tired to celebrate when they got in the locker room.

'I'm not wasting oxygen on you'

One of the five American players who scored a World Cup-qualifying goal at the Azteca is Davies, and that goal stands as the most important one of his career.

The long ball was played by Tim Howard. After taking a touch around an El Tri player, the ball popped to the other side of the circle, where it hit Davies in the back of the net. He beat him to the far post after two clean touches.

The Mexican defender was tasked with marking Davies.

Juarez got the assist on the game-winning goal after he was able to get in the space.

I felt like I had been taken out of my body. Davies said that it was an out of body experience and that he had always dreamed of playing in Azteca.

The crowd was silent. Davies went to the corner flag to celebrate, but only Bradley joined him before it started raining bottles, coins and batteries.

Are you kidding me? He goes. I am not wasting oxygen on you.

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Paul Arriola remembers being doused with beer by Mexico fans while watching a Gold Cup final as a teenager.

Israel Castro equalized by halftime as the U.S. squad faded under the afternoon heat. Juarez got a pass off to Sabah for the game-winner in the 82nd minute. Juarez says that the roar of 105,000 fans in attendance was unforgettable.

I have played many years. Many big games with massive crowds, but that goal was special because the sound from the crowd is crazy.

Juarez remembers walking past an exhausted Donovan, who tried to close him down in the run-up of the goal.

I know how you feel when you are not used to it. Juarez said he saw his face two to three minutes before and that he was struggling.

Mexico fans celebrate a big win against the USMNT at the Angel de la Independencia monument. Juarez made for an early evening despite helping Mexico get into the World Cup.

Juarez said that his parents picked him up at the Azteca.