Sebastian and Herculez debate if Berhalter will save his best USMNT XI for Panama. There is a time and a place for it. As you drive down the Avenida del Iman, you can see the Azteca. It looks like a cake was placed in the Santa Ursala neighborhood of Mexico City. As you get closer, the concrete supports look like the collective arms of Mexico supporters, pushing up on the venue's rim and out of the ground. The stands give off a claustrophobic feel without fans present. The Azteca has hosted two World Cup finals, in 1970 and 1986, and will be the site of the latest iteration of the Mexican and US men's national team rivalry on Thursday. It feels like the end of an era. The World Cup qualification between the two neighbors has been the first thing fans look for when the fixtures are released. Change is on the way. The World Cup will be hosted by Canada and both countries will have no chance to qualify. The number of automatic qualification spots for the World Cup could be doubled to six if the World Cup is expanded to 48 teams. The games between the two powerhouses will always mean something. The desire for recognition will not go away. The World Cup qualification stakes will be lessened, the damage done by a defeat less severe, and thus some of the tension will be dissipated. - World Cup qualifying: CONCACAF standings
- 2022 World Cup: How the USMNT, Mexico can qualify
- Stream on ESPN+: FC Daily | Fútbol Americas
- Don't have ESPN? Get instant access
The stakes surrounding Thursday's encounter are high and while such thoughts focus on the future, it is the present that concerns the U.S. The U.S. is just edging out the other team on goal differential.
Both teams are in full bloom. The U.S.'s home match against Panama is more important in the overall picture of qualification than the Mexico match. A result for either team would be an important step forward in the quest to reach Qatar. It would be very precious to do so at their opponent's expense.
The three-game losing streak that El Tri is currently suffering against the U.S. is one of the reasons why pessimism rules the day. Fernando Schwartz of Fox Sports Mexico went on a rant about why Mexico is no longer the giant of the region.
The negative vibes have entered everyday life as well. Luis, a local driver who traveled with Cesar, spoke about his displeasure with the current Mexico national team. He talked about the lack of lideres within El Tri and the days when former greats like Rafael Marquez and Jorge Campos were still around. The fan violence that occurred during a league match between Atlas and Queretaro has made the gloom worse.
Weston McKennie, Sergino Dest, Matt Turner and others will be missed by Herculez Gomez.
There are other concerns for El Tri. The anti-gay chant could come back at the Azteca if things go poorly in the game. Social media campaigns, such as #MexicoSinMundial, have been popular recently. What are they? Fans of Mexican soccer have complained about the way the Mexican Football Federation is run and have threatened to boycott the game against the United States if the anti-gay chant is used.
.jpg)
The beautiful game is here. Leagues, tournaments and teams can be watched.
Sign up now to stream soccer on ESPN+
On Thursday, March 24.
• Portugal vs. Turkey (3:45 p.m. ET)
• Italy vs. North Macedonia (3:45 p.m. ET)
• Sweden vs. Czech Republic (3:45 p.m. ET)
• Wales vs. Austria (3:45 p.m. ET)
On Friday, March 25.
• Cameroon vs. Algeria (1 p.m. ET)
• Egypt vs. Senegal (3:30 p.m. ET)
• Ghana vs. Nigeria (3:30 p.m. ET)
The Azteca has a location. The US has been weighed down by its lung-searing altitude over the years. The U.S. has only won once at the venue in World Cup qualification. The U.S. team has a poor record at the Azteca.
It is a massive task that they will have to play without four injured players. The U.S has not lost in its last three matches here: a pair of ties in World Cup qualification preceded by a friendly win.
Max Croes is a political consultant from Montana. He has been to each of the last three games between the U.S. and Mexico at the Azteca. I will be happy with one point. I wouldn't think about three points.
The homefield advantage is reduced by the fact that some Mexico stars now play abroad. That is a disappointment for some U.S. fans.
Heather Borjon, a middle school teacher from Orange County in California, said that Azteca is a fortress. It has taken me a long time to get here and it will not be the full experience at this reduced capacity. I am here. So, the best Spring Break ever.
- USMNT questions for World Cup qualifying: Who replaces McKennie, more (E+)
- Scoring at the Azteca in a USMNT-Mexico match: What's it like?
The U.S. is carrying more stress. Four years ago in Couva, Trinidad, the U.S. soccer team failed to qualify, but only four players are still on the roster. Paul Arriola, one of those players, said that fear isn't felt within the group.
That isn't the case at the Night Before Party hosted by the U.S. supporters group. The nerves are showing, especially as it relates to the U.S.'s qualification chances.
The 29-year-old salesperson from outside Chicago said that he was incredibly nervous. I don't want to get my hopes up again. I don't want to be down about it. I think we have a good chance of making it, but I don't want to get ahead of myself.
After 11 a.m. tomorrow, I will probably not eat or drink, according to a health care provider in San Antonio, Texas. This is my 48th game and I am invested in the team.
A win at the Azteca would make a big difference.
Cesar Hernandez reported additional reporting.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
