Wales boss Chris Coleman admits fatigue hindered his side as they lost 2-0 to Mexico in his first competitive game in charge at the MetLife Stadium.
The Dragons were beaten by a double from Monterrey striker Aldo De Nigris, with the goals coming during the latter stages of each half.
Wales were always likely to face a difficult test against a side 21 places above them in the world rankings without the likes of Gareth Bale, Joe Ledley, Wayne Hennessey, Darcy Blake and Andrew Crofts.
Those difficulties were added to by the oppressive heat and humidity of the mid-afternoon kick-off, and a lifeless playing surface at the home of the New York Giants and New York Jets NFL teams.
Wales were unable to force a save from Mexico keeper Jesus Corona during the 90 minutes, and at the other end Jason Brown made a string of excellent stops.
Coleman could not fault the efforts of his players as they refused to buckle under near constant pressure, but was disappointed that the two goals had come from crosses.
He said: "It was a tough game for us, Mexico are a super team, they play with imagination and move the ball well.
"They have quality in most areas. We suffered with the weather, it was hot for us but we expected that.
"Teams don't come much better than Mexico but we gave everything we had.
"We got into good positions where maybe we could have done better but that was down to fatigue and taking the wrong option.
"We conceded the goals two minutes before the end of the first half and two minutes before the end of the game, so fatigue definitely played a part there.
"Our boys have had three weeks rest since the end of the season, we have had four training sessions, just four hours of preparation for this game.
"We knew conditions would be hot and humid and we are not used to that.
"The disappointing thing was we conceded the goals from crosses, an area we would not expect to concede from. We had worked very hard at nullifying Mexico's movement but we have been caught out twice from crosses."
Coleman reserved special praise for Aberdeen goalkeeper Brown's all-round display, as he took his chance to impress with Hennessey, Boaz Myhill and Lewis Price all missing through injury.
He said: "He did great, he was fantastic.
"We try to build from the back, and that means that sometimes the keeper has a lot of the ball and not too many like to have the ball at their feet for too long.
"Throughout his career he has not been asked to do that and he did a great job."
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