United States Heads South of the Border to Play Mexico
The U.S. men’s soccer team will have to improve its play on Sunday at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, when it faces Mexico in a CONCACAF World Cup qualifier. The current line has Mexico favored at -110, the U.S. at +315 with a draw on +225.
On Thursday, the U.S. defeated Trinidad & Tobago 2-0 in a qualifier thanks to two second half goals from new U.S. star Christian Pulisic. The 18-year old now has 7 goals in just 15 career international caps.
Pulisic has either scored or assisted on 7 of the last 8 American goals and says he will not have any problem playing the full 90 minutes.
The U.S. team will have had only two days rest following its Thursday night win in Colorado over T&T, which moved the team into third place in the CONCACAF Hex qualifying standings. The first three places automatically qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Bruce Arena the U.S. coach said he was planning changes in the lineup due to the quick turnaround of the two important matches.
Clint Dempsey is one goal away from tying for the American record in career goals of 57 held by Landon Donovan, but may be rotated out. Dempsey was upset he was taken out on Thursday in the 61st minute by Arena.
Not only will the U.S. being playing against a very talented Mexico side but the hostile crowd, city smog and at times high heat make Azteca Stadium one of the biggest home field advantage in soccer. The stadium formerly had a capacity of 120,000, but that has been reduced to 87,000 due to renovations.
In Mexico City, the U.S. prior to a winning 1-0 in an exhibition match five years ago, was 0-19-1 and outscored 81 to 14.
Often times this match in Mexico has started under the intense sun of midday but the match on Sunday will kick off at 8:30 p.m. ET, which could be a slight advantage to the U.S.
In qualifying matches in Azteca the U.S. has earned just two points. In 1997 and 2013, they fought to 0-0 draws. The 1997 match was during the day, while the 2013 match was at night.
The two sides met to open the Hexagonal in Columbus, Ohio last November with Mexico winning 2-1 and handing the U.S. its first loss at home in qualifying in 16 years.
Mexico will be without Andres Guardado a midfielder and Miguel Layun and Rafael Marquez two defenders. Carlos Salcedo, who was hurt Thursday, will also miss out for Mexico.
Prediction: U.S. had not had much success against Mexico at Azteca Stadium, but Mexico is shorthanded. Lean here toward the men in red, white and blue.
