With World Cup qualifying matches around the globe resuming after a brief time off, the United States and Mexico are preparing for a crucial CONCACAF hexagonal showdown. Set to take place on Tuesday, September 10 from Columbus Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, the USMNT and El Tri have plenty on the line. A win for the United States could see the team clinch its seventh-straight World Cup berth -- assuming they get help from Honduras -- while a victory for Mexico could catapult them back into the Top 3 in the standings, a crucial position since the Top 3 in CONCACAF automatically qualify for a spot in the 32-team World Cup field.
As it currently stands in the ultra-competitive CONCACAF Hexagonal, Costa Rica leads with 14 points through 7 matches followed closely by the United States, who fell to second in the group after a 3-1 loss to the Costa Ricans. Thanks to a recent WCQ win over El Tri, Honduras sits in third position with 10 points while Mexico sits fourth with 8. The fourth place finisher in CONCACAF will be forced to enter a playoff against New Zealand to determine a World Cup spot, so solidifying your place in the Top 3 is crucial for each team remaining in the pool. Panama (7 points) and Jamaica (3 points) round out the six-team group.
In a battle of 2 vs. 4, El Tri hopes to take down a United States team that will be significantly shorthanded when it takes to the pitch on Tuesday night. Suffering a foot injury prior to the USMNT loss to Costa Rica last week, star midfielder Michael Bradley will not be available to coach Jurgen Klinsmann against Mexico. In addition to not having the services of Bradley, the USMNT will have to deal with the losses of star striker Jozy Altidore and defenders Matt Besler and Geoff Cameron. The trio are suspended for the match against El Tri for picking up yellow cards against Costa Rica. Clarence Goodson has been added to the defensive lineup while Joe Corona, Jose Torres and Brad Davis have been put on the roster for midfield support.
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Last playing in a World Cup Qualifier on March 13, 2013 in Mexico City, the United States and El Tri played to a 0-0 draw, leaving followers of the sport excited about the potential Tuesday night's contest will bring. A win for the U.S. coupled with a win by Honduras over Panama would propel the Americans to next summer's World Cup in Brazil.
The WCQ will begin at 8pm, ET on Tuesday, September 10. Television coverage will be provided by the ESPN and UniMas Networks with an online live stream available through WatchESPN.
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