U.S.-Mexico soccer match breaks record for overnight ratings

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The overnight TV ratings for Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier between the U.S. and Mexico were the highest ever for a U.S. national team match in a non-FIFA World Cup or FIFA Confederations Cup tournament.

The match drew a 1.9 rating in metered markets, according to Nielsen, which measures TV viewership. That surpassed the 1.6 overnight number for March’s U.S.-Mexico match in Mexico City.

The U.S. beat Mexico, 2-0, here Tuesday to qualify for next summer’s World Cup in Brazil. Costa Rica also grabbed one of CONCACAF’s three spots in Brazil with a 1-1 draw against Jamaica.

Mexico, meanwhile, fell to fifth place in the regional qualifying tournament with two matches remaining.

Only the top three CONCACAF teams automatically qualify for Brazil, leaving Mexico looking at the possibility of a two-leg playoff with New Zealand in November for one of two play-in berths for the World Cup.

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