--------------------------------------vs----------------------------------==-- Stadium: Estadio Azteca Expected Crowd (Sold out): 103,076 Where to watch: TV: UniMas, ESPN Streams: http://www.sportlemon.tv/c-1.html Background information: In the most recent meeting, the U.S. earned its first victory on Mexican soil, a 1-0 international friendly win on Aug. 15, 2012, at Estadio Azteca. Michael Orozco Fiscal scored his first international goal in the 80th minute and goalkeeper Tim Howard made three saves – including two late stops – en route to the historic victory. The U.S. and Mexico are part of the six-team Hexagonal along with Costa Rica, Honduras, Jamaica and Panama. The 10-game, round-robin format began on Feb. 6 and will run through Oct.10. The top three teams will automatically advance to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, while the fourth-place team will compete in a two-leg playoff against the champion from the Oceania Confederation. Round Robin Table - Matchday 2 Update Clint Dempsey: With seven goals in this World Cup Qualifying cycle, Clint Dempsey is now tied with Landon Donovan for the all-time lead in U.S. history with 12 overall. He is the only player to appear in all eight matches of this cycle. Head coach Jurgen Klinsmann named Dempsey as the USA’s captain for the qualifying matches against Costa Rica and Mexico. Injuries: Heading into the World Cup Qualifying matches against Costa Rica and Mexico, eight U.S. players were ruled unavailable: Edgar Castillo (facial fractures), Timmy Chandler (hamstring), Steve Cherundolo (knee), Tim Howard (back), Fabian Johnson (hip), Jonathan Spector (ankle), Jose Torres (hamstring) and Danny Williams (illness). OFFICIAL LINEUP:
From the winter wonderland of Denver to the furnace of Azteca. We couldn't have played in any two games with more extreme conditions
Serious question. If we manage to take all three tonight, is there any chance Mexico would be in danger of not qualifying. I still say they are a lock, but they would have underperformed in both of the home games, and giving up two points away.
I mean, they would still be like 80% to qualify imo, but I think Chepo would get sacked. A draw would keep his job alive, though.
Pretty much exactly how I feel. They could go the first 5 underperforming, then it would be time to panic for them.
I mean, if we had two home games and one away and only came away with 2 points I would hope Klinsmann would get the boot too.
Yea, for sure. I dont think there is any doubt that the pressure is on for Mexico. I hope Klinsmann plays into that and uses that as a strength. I know previously U.S. teams would sit back and play for a point but there is an opening here for this team. I may be overly optimistic but there is an opportunity here to make some history I just hope we can pull it off. If we sit back and dont pressure early and allow Mexico to dictate the play the U.S. will lose.
The United States has been hard on many Mexican coaches . . . http://www.bigapplesoccer.com/us/mnt.php?article_id=33165
Because the USSF wanted to play this game at night I guess and the FMF approved it. Something like that it's a long story