A poor first-half display from the visitors handed 'El Tricolour' too many opportunities in attack.

A brace from Gold Cup hopeful Giovanni Dos Santos ensured his name was pencilled into coach Jose Manuel de la Torre's squad, while Aldo De Nigris scored a goal near half-time.

But they were the only goals with an improved second-half performance from New Zealand, highlighted by some important substitutions to their defence.

Most importantly was a shift from a defensive mindset to an aggressive one that could bear fruit in the Kiwis' next friendly against Australia on Sunday.

The first half was all Mexcio as New Zealand struggled to match the pace of their more-fancied opponents in front of a vocal 'home' crowd in Denver.

It was a tough day for left wing Michael Fitzgerald, who made his starting debut and looked particularly out of sorts as he struggled to contain Mexico's Pablo Barera.

With two of the three goals beginning in Fitzgerald's area, he will have learnt much from the match, even if it came at the team's expense.

The first goal came from an unavoidable mistake after Moss parried a bullet straight into the path of Dos Santos, who was composed and picked out the right-hand side of the goal to the joy of the Mexican supporters.

The goal sparked Mexico into action and New Zealand into disarray as they struggled to create cohesion and control possession.

There was nothing that could have been done about the second goal, with a Barera cross splitting Vicelich and Winston Reid for Dos Santos to round the goalkeeper and dribble the ball into the vacant goal.

When New Zealand held possession they began to gain some control, but a poor pass gave Barera another opportunity to cross in front of goal, where he found de Nigris who slotted home less than a minute from half-time.

In the second half New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert made a number of changes, with Ben Sigmund, David Mulligan and Chris Killen all making appearances.

Mexico also made substitutions, with both Dos Santos and De Nigris leaving the park to hand their compadres an opportunity to prove themselves.

Sigmund was by far the most impressive for the All Whites, with his aggressive nature and communication with defender Vicelich prominent in a half where they kept Mexico scoreless.

Mexico will be all the more grateful for the hit-out ahead of their Gold Cup that starts on Sunday, while New Zealand will take their lessons learnt into their trans-Tasman clash against Australia on Sunday in Adelaide.

Mexico: 3 (Giovanni dos Santos 23', 29'; Aldo de Nigris 45')
New Zealand: 0
HT: 3-0