Prepare for an thrilling new chapter of america vs. Mexico rivalry!
With current teaching adjustments bringing a high-profile determine in Mauricio Pochettino to the U.S. males’s nationwide crew, and a extra tried and true veteran in Javier Aguirre to Mexico’s males’s facet, each packages can have an opportunity to succeed in an early milestone once they meet Tuesday for a pleasant.
Lengthy gone are the previous coaches who lately did not impress on the Copa América. It is now The Aguirre and Pochettino Present for Concacaf’s two largest giants, and they are going to be desirous to make their mark in opposition to each other.
Tuesday’s match at Guadalajara’s Estadio Akron is not nearly regional superiority both. With a once-in-a-lifetime alternative to construct one thing forward of the 2026 World Cup that their nations will co-host, the upcoming pleasant will even show what path they’re paving.
ESPN brings you every thing it is advisable know concerning the conflict, with crew evaluation, predictions, key gamers and extra from former Mexico worldwide Jared Borgetti alongside consultants Cesar Hernandez, Daniel Rodríguez, Omar Flores and Lizzy Becherano.
Each groups are in reset mode proper now. What led them thus far?
Like Mexico, there have been few positives for the U.S. to level to because the 2022 World Cup. With the objective of showcasing that they are not only a large fish in a Concacaf-sized pond, the USMNT has struggled in opposition to elite groups, notably in the summertime’s disastrous early exit from the Copa América. A few winless friendlies heading into the match additionally foreshadowed doom for the USMNT.
There is not any lack of promising expertise throughout the roster, however there was additionally little proof that earlier coach Gregg Berhalter was the precise individual to assist elevate each the gamers and total construction, which have a excessive ceiling. — Cesar Hernandez
A sequence of unhealthy choices and poor outcomes. It is superb how in Mexico they might make the issues worse every time and, after group stage elimination on the 2022 World Cup, managers, coaches and gamers have since proven that it may very well be even worse.
With america, it hasn’t been very completely different. Regardless that it has vital gamers at Europe, the truth is that it hasn’t been capable of make a venture work the precise method after fixed teaching adjustments, issues past the pitch and with out the precise course of to develop as a nationwide crew. — Daniel Rodriguez
This modification of coaches for United States and Mexico reveals that they need to do issues in a different way. Each groups really feel that they’ve stagnated and that with the gamers they’ve, they maybe ought to have achieved higher issues in current tournaments.
Mexico is bringing a coach (Aguirre) who already is aware of what it is prefer to be there, who is aware of the Mexican soccer gamers nicely and who has helped them obtain vital issues previously. The U.S. is betting on a world coach who has had an excellent profession as a participant and supervisor. With the vast majority of every crew’s gamers in Europe, the guess is sort of attention-grabbing for each side. — Jared Borgetti
What are the strengths and weaknesses of every crew going into this sport?
It was a small window by only one sport, however there was quite a bit to get pleasure from concerning the fluid motion of the USMNT assault that had a harmful participant like Christian Pulisic (who will miss this pleasant to rejoin his membership facet AC Milan) dictating issues as a artful winger who tucked inside. Alongside him, Brenden Aaronson had some temporary moments of magic, as did objective scorers Yunus Musah and Ricardo Pepi.
When taking a look at weaknesses, it could take a while for the USMNT to fine-tune its defensive transition. Pochettino and his males had been fortunate to haven’t allowed a objective in his debut match vs. Panama, who often launched ahead and requested severe questions of the backline. — Hernandez
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El Tri’s power is crew play. The squad identifies with the coach, and that can translate to its play on the sphere. The weaknesses? Properly, I feel that for the time being Mexico is experiencing a insecurity after poor outcomes. It has to get the followers concerned rapidly and channel that assist. I feel that is vital as a result of the followers have distanced themselves from the nationwide crew’s matches, and the crew wants them now greater than ever. — Borgetti
Mexico’s most important power is on the defensive facet. César Montes and Johan Vásquez have performed collectively because the under-23s, and so they have already received a bronze medal. They’ve additionally been essentially the most common duo in recent times.
Mexico’s most important weak point is on the opposite facet of the sphere with the strikers. As managers, Diego Cocca, Jaime Lozano and Javier Aguirre have tried with completely different gamers to deal with the shortage of a high scorer. Throughout Copa América, Mexico scored just one objective within the matches in opposition to Venezuela and Ecuador. It’s anticipated that, with the return of Raúl Jiménez, this downside will probably be fastened. — Omar Flores
Who’re the gamers to observe for every crew?
For the U.S., the artful and intelligent Pulisic is the straightforward reply, though U.S. Soccer introduced Sunday that he’ll be leaving camp early. Marlon Fossey, Weston McKennie, Zack Steffen and Pepi will even return to their golf equipment.
Wanting elsewhere, Mexico should discover a method to stifle an lively fullback/wingback like Antonee Robinson. The Fulham participant lined an immense quantity of floor on the left flank in opposition to Panama and offered a key move that helped result in a objective, all whereas with the ability to dash again and halt counters.
It is early days, however in Poch’s fluid tactical setup that may transfer between a 4-2-3-1 and a 3-4-3, Robinson is a useful cog. — Hernandez
I feel it does not should be one particularly, as a result of we do not have somebody who is absolutely going to catapult us into success. We have not had a participant who carries the crew for some time. The vital factor is that the group grasps the concept of what it desires to perform and its enjoying type. That is what issues essentially the most, past whether or not somebody individually can do one thing extraordinary that finally ends up successful a sport. I might lean extra towards the crew’s sport system quite than a singular participant. — Borgetti
An issue for Mexico is the shortage of stars. Nonetheless, an important gamers from Javier Aguirre’s squad are the veterans Guillermo Ochoa and Jiménez. The goalkeeper of 39 years has one other shot to show that he is the most suitable choice for the following World Cup after the good performances of Luis Malagón together with his crew (América) and the current look of Álex Padilla with Athletic Bilbao.
Jiménez had an excellent month within the Premier League with 4 objectives and one help. One of many biggest coaches, Pep Guardiola, says that “he’s again” and that is what Aguirre, alongside the nationwide crew, expects. — Flores
An enormous power for Mexico is their gamers with World Cup expertise. It will likely be attention-grabbing to see if a “new” participant is granted an enormous variety of minutes to show that he can break into the beginning lineup. Rodrigo Huescas or Marcel Ruiz may very well be an instance of this. However the primary story to comply with is that if Ochoa will begin in opposition to america and the potential debut of ahead Germán Berterame. — Rodríguez
Which crew has extra to lose proper now and why?
It is Mexico. Their nationwide crew is already on skinny ice with a fan base that has already booed and jeered El Tri after its newest 2-2 draw with an alternate Valencia facet. Not like Pochettino, who’s a recent face nonetheless adjusting to his environment, Mexico’s Aguirre has returned for a 3rd time and is anticipated to as soon as once more be a firefighter. Being unable to smother the USMNT’s flames could be a big and early blemish for Aguirre, particularly resulting from enjoying at residence. — Hernandez
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How the Pochettino USMNT period bought off to a successful begin
Try a few of the stats and figures behind america’ 2-0 win over Panama in Maurico Pochettino’s first sport as head coach.
I feel Mexico has far more to lose as a result of it’s enjoying on residence soil. Pleasant matches in opposition to the U.S. have hardly ever been performed in Mexico. So at this time I feel it will be vital, underneath Aguirre, to play sport, and it is also vital to forge a brand new reference to the followers. A great victory in opposition to america would type out the laziness slightly and assist get issues again on monitor. — Borgetti
It is a easy pleasant match, and it’ll solely assist each coaches collect some details about one another, however nothing past that. We may assume that, with Mexico being the host, a defeat will solely make issues worse, and the disaster would simply keep on, but when it wins it will even be fallacious to imagine that it may flip the web page. — Rodríguez
What can we anticipate from the ambiance in Guadalajara? How are Mexico followers approaching the sport?
There was lots of chat across the sport that followers are usually not shopping for many tickets. However we’ll see match at Guadalajara, which has lots of expectation, and I feel we are able to anticipate a sellout. Solely with outcomes will folks fall in love once more, not an interview or what you say forward of the match. What folks actually care about is the result and show. — Borgetti
Mexico’s matches in its personal nation are much less intense than in america. El Tri doesn’t have an actual connection at its personal turf as a result of a lot of the video games are held on American soil, and the current scores don’t assist. FMF is making an effort so the crew can reconnect with the followers, and it hopes the anti-gay chant, which began in Guadalajara at Jalisco, does not seem once more. One of the best ways to counterattack that is with objectives and streak of matches. — Flores
It is easy to imagine that the followers in Jalisco may result in a capability crowd on the stadium as a result of there aren’t many visits of the nationwide crew to that a part of the nation, much more so if you’re going through the most important rival. Now, as at all times at Estadio Azteca or the video games in United States, the ambiance will depend upon how the match develops and if the crew is successful or dropping. Within the opening minutes, the followers will present assist, however this might change rapidly relying on how the sport goes. — Rodríguez
What is going to it take for the USMNT to clinch its second win in Mexico following 2012’s victory?
Mexico’s assault will not be as form as Panama’s, so the USMNT should tighten up its defensive construction throughout transition moments. Going ahead, specializing in the left with fast overlapping runs from Robinson, in addition to Pulisic’s substitute probably roaming inside in the identical method, will you should definitely present some avenues in opposition to a Mexican protection that has its personal set of worries. — Hernandez
How will the absence of key gamers influence the USMNT’s preparations and crew choice?
Mauricio Pochettino will probably be seeking to rotate gamers in opposition to Mexico in Guadalajara, given the departure of 5 gamers from the U.S. males’s nationwide crew camp.
Fossey, Steffen, Mckennie, Pepi departed the October USMNT camp after the 2-0 victory over Panama on Oct. 12 resulting from accidents, whereas Pulisic returned to AC Milan to keep away from work overload. The brand new supervisor admitted to feeling upset of their exit, however insists the pleasant now serves because the final probability to look at gamers earlier than the following worldwide window. Alejandro Zendejas, Brandon Vázquez, Malik Tillman and Haji Wright may all see extra time within the absence of Pulisic and Pepi.
Although the crew expects a troublesome match in opposition to Aguirre’s Mexico, Pochettino maintained that enjoying on Mexican soil will give his gamers the chance to study and develop within the face of adversity. Enjoying in opposition to one of many USMNT’s largest rivals in entrance of a sold-out crowd at Estadio Akron will problem america to develop and enhance forward of the 2026 World Cup. — Lizzy Becherano
What are your rating predictions and why?
2-2. With each coaches nonetheless attempting to place their stamp on their groups, this looks like a match through which attackers can have probabilities to capitalize on defensive hiccups. Both method, it needs to be a enjoyable one, with loads of gamers desirous to make a reputation for themselves underneath their new coach. — Hernandez
Mexico will beat United States 2-1. It will likely be Aguirre’s fourth match in his new tenure, and he has extra information of his gamers than Pochettino does. Additionally, Aguirre was the final Mexico coach to beat america and isn’t afraid to sacrifice the crew’s type if he can get the win. — Flores
This match needs to be an in depth one as a result of it will likely be held on Mexican soil, and the house crew ought to take benefit, even when we’re speaking a few pleasant match. Predicting a rating is not straightforward, however Mexico ought to come out on high of this one 2-1. — Rodríguez
