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USMNT vs Mexico Preview & How to Watch

By Daniel Garza

Nov 11, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; USA midfielder Christian Pulisic (10) dribbles the ball while Mexico defender Diego Reyes (5) defends during the first half of the match at MAPFRE Stadium. Mexico beats the USA 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 11, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; USA midfielder Christian Pulisic (10) dribbles the ball while Mexico defender Diego Reyes (5) defends during the first half of the match at MAPFRE Stadium. Mexico beats the USA 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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The United States Men’s National Team travels to Azteca Stadium to face Mexico in an all-important World Cup qualifying match.

The road to Russia continues for the USMNT as they face Mexico for the second time in World Cup qualifying. Both countries took all three points from their mid-week fixtures. Mexico defeated Honduras 3-0 and the U.S. edged Trinidad & Tobago 2-0.

In the first meeting between the two teams, Mexico defeated the USMNT 2-1 at MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. Miguel Layún and Rafael Márquez scored for Mexico and Bobby Wood tallied the lone goal for the Americans.

Azteca has been a fortress for Mexico over the years, the U.S. has only won once at the hallowed stadium. All-time, the USMNT is 1-8-2 against Mexico at Azteca, with the lone win coming in 2012.

The U.S. is performing much better after a slow start to the qualifying campaign. Entering Sunday’s match they will sit in third place in the Hex, with Mexico atop the group with a five-point lead on Costa Rica.

  1. Mexico 13 Pts.
  2. Costa Rica 8 Pts.
  3. USA 7 Pts.
  4. Panama 6 Pts.
  5. Honduras 4 Pts.
  6. Trinidad & Tobago 3 Pts.

The top three teams automatically advance to the World Cup and the fourth placed team heads to the intercontinental playoff to decide their fate.

Players to Watch

Christian Pulisic will be one of the players to watch for the USMNT. The young starlet scored both goals for the U.S. in their victory over Trinidad & Tobago. He has a total of five goals in qualifying and all five have been scored in the second half. Additionally, the 18-year-old leads all players in assists with five.

Jozy Altidore is the USMNT’s leading scorer with six goals. Mexico has been led by FC Porto winger Jesús Corona, who has three goals for El Tri.

In net, Tim Howard should get the start for the U.S. The Colorado Rapids goalkeeper is 5-3-3 against Mexico.

El Tri bolsters a potent attacking lineup that includes playmakers such as Carlos Velas, Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez, and Raúl Jiménez. LA Galaxy playmaker, Giovani dos Santos, is in the lineup as well.

In the midfield, they also have plenty of talent, which includes Eintracht Frankfurt star, Marco Fabian.

This match will pit the best defense, statistically, in the Hex against the best team offensively. Mexico has only allowed one goal in five matches and the USMNT have scored 10 goals in five matches.

Rosters

Mexico

Goalkeepers: Rodolfo Cota (Guadalajara), Guillermo Ochoa (Granada/ESP), Alfredo Talavera (Toluca)

Defenders: Oswaldo Alanís (Guadalajara), Jesús Dueñas (Tigres), Héctor Moreno (PSV Eindhoven/NED), Diego Reyes (Espanyol/ESP), Luis Reyes (Atlas), Carlos Salcedo (Fiorentina/ITA)

Midfielders: Javier Aquino (Tigres), Jonathan Dos Santos (Villarreal/ESP), Marco Fabián (Eintracht Frankfurt/GER), Jesùs Gallardo (Pumas UNAM), Héctor Herrera (Porto FC/POR), Jesús Molina (Monterrey), Orbelín Pineda (Guadalajara)

Forwards: Jesús Manuel Corona (Porto FC/POR), Giovani dos Santos (LA Galaxy/USA) Javier Hernández (Bayer Leverkusen/GER), Raúl Jiménez (Benfica/POR), Hirving Lozano (Pachuca), Oribe Peralta (América), Carlos Vela (Real Sociedad)

USA 

Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Atlanta United FC), Ethan Horvath (Club Brugge/BEL), Tim Howard (Colorado Rapids), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)

Defenders: DaMarcus Beasley (Houston Dynamo), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), John Brooks (Hertha Berlin/GER), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City/ENG), Omar Gonzalez (Pachuca/MEX), Matt Hedges (FC Dallas), Tim Ream (Fulham/ENG), Jorge Villafaña (Santos Laguna/MEX), DeAndre Yedlin (Newcastle United/ENG), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)

Midfielders: Kellyn Acosta (FC Dallas), Paul Arriola (Club Tijuana/MEX), Alejandro Bedoya (Philadelphia Union), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC/CAN), Fabian Johnson (Borussia Mönchengladbach/GER), Dax McCarty (Chicago Fire), Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers), Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund/GER)

Forwards: Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC/CAN), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders FC), Bobby Wood (Hamburg/GER)

How to Watch

When: Sunday, June 11th, 8:30 p.m. (EST)

Where: Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico

How to Watch: FS1, Univision, FOX Sports GO (Streaming)

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