The greatest regional rivalry of this hemisphere rejoins tomorrow at 8:30 p.m. when the U.S. Men’s National Team takes on Mexico in San Antonio (FOX Sports 1, UniMas, and UDN). Still searching for a signature win ahead of this summer’s Gold Cup (the U.S.’s last victory was against Panama on February 8, it’s only win in eight games since the 1–0 defeat of the Czech Republic on September 3, 2014), the U.S. now faces a big test.
History
Interestingly, Mexico has not defeated the United States since 2011, which was also the first and only time since 2009 that Mexico defeated the U.S. on the U.S.’s home turf. And that 2009 result was the first since 1999 that Mexico had won a game played in the U.S. For a rivalry that has historically been dominated by Mexico, since the turn of the century, the U.S.’s record is a very healthy 10-5-5, with a goal difference of +8 over that span.
Of course, that run includes August 15, 2012, when Michael Orozco famously scored the first-ever U.S. game-winner at Estadio Azteca in Mexico. Other notable results include the U.S. going undefeated against Mexico in 2014 World Cup qualifying, but also defeats in the Gold Cup finals of 2009 and 2011 (those being the two games Mexico has won here in recent memory).
Of course, the biggest recent match involving these teams was a game in which Mexico did not participate, when the U.S.’s victory over Panama in 2014 World Cup qualifying also gifted Mexico entrance into the tournament.
The U.S. roster
The U.S. roster (available here) is made up entirely of North American-based players, as well as DeAndre Yedlin and Julian Green, as this game is happening outside of a FIFA window. Clint Dempsey is out with an injury, while Jozy Altidore stays home with a bout of mouthing-off-to-a-touchy-ref-itis. Orozco was called up but pulled out with his club team facing relegation; Perry Kitchen replaced him. All that said, with the continued influx of U.S. internationals to MLS, the roster is a strong one.
Some returning faces include Omar Gonzalez, Joe Corona, and Juan Agudelo. (Union fans will be happy that Mix Diskerud, after not being called for the March friendlies against Denmark and Switzerland, was called up for Wednesday’s game, which casts doubt over whether he’ll be able to play for NYCFC on Thursday night.) Gonzalez, once a seeming lock to start for the U.S. for the next decade, saw his stock slip precipitously leading up to the World Cup. However, he started both the U.S. group game versus Germany and the Round of 16 match against Belgium, and is perhaps back on track to stake his claim alongside John Brooks and Matt Besler as the center backs of choice for Jurgen Klinsmann. With no Brooks for this game, Gonzalez will likely start.
Joe Corona returns after injury kept him out in the winter, and Agudelo returns after a year away, during which time he spent a spell with Stoke City in England, not playing, then not playing some more, clubless, until he re-signed with the New England Revolution in January.
And it is at forward where the U.S. is thinnest in this roster. There’s a bit of aging experience in Chris Wondolowski, but otherwise the exciting but raw Gyasi Zardes has played the most for the U.S. of late.
Mexico
While their underwhelming World Cup qualifying campaign required an assist from Uncle Sam, since then, Mexico has been on a bit of a tear, going 2-1-1 in Brazil and 6-1-1 afterward. Currently 18th to the U.S.’s 27th in FIFA’s almost wholly meaningless ranking system, what’s undeniable is that Mexico is in better form than the U.S.A.
The roster is made up of Mexico-based players only, and is not particularly experienced, but includes players like Erick Torres and Luis Montes. However, while it is surely the case that Mexico takes no game against the U.S. lightly, this is not the strongest roster possible, largely due to the scheduling of the game.
Prediction
Mexico will have a relatively friendly crowd to play for, but El Tri just doesn’t win in the U.S. unless the stakes are very high. That is not the case tomorrow, and comparing the relative strengths of the squads, the U.S. probably has the advantage. 2–1 to the U.S.
Precise thinking, please! The Western Hemisphere includes South America and with Brazil-Argentina. The Northern Hemisphere includes Europe with several intense national team rivalries. If your statement mentioned the continent rather than the hemisphere, you would make your point equally well without error. Yes, I am nit-picking, but everything that happens to losing coaches and players in USA-Mexico happens in Argentina-Brazil.
That’s certainly true, but as a citizen of the U.S., I’m not being imprecise in elevating our rivalry with Mexico over that of Argentina and Brazil (or those in Europe), I’m making a value judgement that it is the greater of the two (or the many). Others may, of course, disagree.
No, you’re not. You’re just wrong. Subjectivity and personal opinion are not valid rebuttals to being wrong. Brazil v. Argentina is a far bigger rivalry and there is no question about it. If you wanted to say… the most important rivalry in the hemisphere to many… that would be legitimate. To simply say “the greatest regional rivalry of the hemisphere” is simply ludicrous. As someone writing articles… you should understand that words matter.
The only important match today is PSG V BARCA………hoping PSG wins after the stones they showed against Chelsea.
I can’t wait. There is nothing, IMO, that holds a candle to the quarters and semis of UCL. Maybe if I went to school at Alabama or Auburn and had that fury up close and personally.
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Staggering to think the pedigree and players that will be standing on the field together today. A veritable who’s who of world futbol.
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That said a US v Mexico nightcap is quite right, like finishing your day with a 3 Olive Martini or a black cherry gelati at least.
Yes!!! Let’s watch Javier Mascherano put on a clinic, on how to play the #6 to perfection.
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On the flip-side, we can see Thiago Silva show the way a CB/Captain is supposed to conduct himself.
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Good day for football
isn’t Javier a CB now in their back4……..#6 spot is Busquets……correct?
Blasted!!!! I stand corrected.
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Let’s watch Javier Mascherano be awesome…no matter where in the XI.
Javier isn’t in the projected XI…so let’s just scratch the Mascherano gush from the record. He is dead-nasty at the 6, though.
Mascherano has been seeing quite a bit of time lately as 6 in Enrique’s lineup.
Yes!!!! My statement stands…maybe.
He has played both this season…….I honestly thought he would play Busquets there and Mascherano in the back for the “we aren’t f@$king around” starting 11 though……
Your right, its a good nightcap. 5 years ago it would have been the martini bro……now its all gelati!
Ibra is out. Gonna be a tough one. Suarez is on fire right now…and the game is in Paris, so the away goals are going to factor big time…
they are going to park the bus home and away………and try to pull a chelski on them
Barca has wave, after wave of answers to the parked bus.
we’ll see. Up until this year…..I’d disagree with you. But this year seems to be a more pragmatic Barca where they will play the long ball to their forwards when they have to or just to catch their opponents napping. Having said that….Barca when stifled can be a one-trick pony….we have all seen it a few times over the past few years.
If Xavi and Iniesta can rekindle their magic, Barca is a monster. Jordi Alba is going to give PSG fits, out of the back. He and Neymar overlap beautifully.
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PSG will hinge on which Lavezzi shows up, today. I think that Cavani will shine, as will Pastore.
Veratti is my boy! Great little player…..and yes, Cavani has to be huge today….
Suarez has changed everything – his tricky ability demands the long ball and I am glad they have played to that strength a bit more than in the past.
I’ve seen Barca play like complete ass a few times this year…….they just have the three best forwards on the planet to bail them out! Look at the first time Athleti played them this year….it was all Athleti….until Messi/Suarez/Neymar did their thing……
Agreed. They were shoddy, at the start of the season. That’s not the case, now. Their back line has come to form and Messi/Suarez…and Pedro are just gross, right now.
Suarez is on fire right now….. and its usually when he does something stupid too! Whats the over/under he “suarez’s” someone in the jugular over the home/away legs?
I’m convinced that the WCB (World Cup Bite) was designed to promote the move to Barca…and it worked perfectly. He and Messi are starting to gel. I don’t think David Luiz is good enough to stop them. Thiago might do it on his own, though. Ibra being out is huge.
yeah, Ibra can steal you a goal….they don’t have that threat now. David Luis is an enigma to me…..he can take a team on his shoulders and win single handedly, be the best guy on the pitch……and he can loose matches for his team single handedly and look awful.
Luiz is very good…when he plays as a CB. It’s when he gets his mind set on playing the entire spine, that he goes to shit. Thiago makes him better.
you see….I was thinking opposite. I think he’s one hell of a CDM……CB he can get all kinds of out of shape. Brazil getting flamed by the Germans comes to mind…..that was all him.
I can see your point…but remember, he was trying to dribble through the entire German team…and failing, miserably.
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Can we call a time-out, on the Barca-PSG debate to make mention of the incredible Madrid(S) Leg 1 match, that took place yesterday…Great football match. Who says La Liga isn’t physical???
still have to watch that one….I heard it was a doozy. After I put my little ones to bed last night….I couldn’t keep my eyes awake!
Oh Yeah…USA-Mexico…I got nothing…
This is so good.
Hehehe…….