Tonight at 11 PM Eastern, the US and Mexico renew their
rivalry in Phoenix. If you weren’t already excited to watch, here are five
reasons for you to tune in.
1) It’s USA vs Mexico
There is no bigger game for the US national team (outside of
a World Cup game) than when they step on the field against Mexico. Ask any
US player and he will tell you that playing against El Tri is special and
something completely different than suiting up against another opponent. Additionally, the
rivalry has witnessed a ton of drama over the past few years. In August 2012, the US
secured their first ever win in Mexico. The teams then met at Azteca once again
last March and drew 0-0 in a World Cup qualifier. Their third meeting added to the
storied “Dos A Cero” score line in Columbus, Ohio last September. Then the USMNT and “San
Zusi” saved Mexico from embarrassment and gave them a ticket to Brazil with their
comeback win against Panama in October.
With tonight's game being played in Phoenix, the crowd should be
split relatively evenly, or at least nothing like the home field advantage the
teams get in Mexico City or Columbus. 55,000 tickets have already been sold,
making this “neutral” field into an incredible atmosphere with fans of both
sides making noise and chanting all game long.
The US is also one game short of achieving two separate US
soccer records against El Tri. A win or draw will make it five straight with a
point against their rivals for the first time ever. Holding Mexico without a
goal would also make it four straight shutouts against their rivals, which
would also be the first time ever achieving the feat. There is always talk
about who has the leg up in this rivalry. If the US can achieve these two
firsts tonight, they will have control of the fight.
2) Road to the Roster
This is the last game the US will play before Jurgen
Klinsmann has to name 30 players to the initial World Cup roster (which will
later be cut down to 23). In my opinion, 19 players have pretty much locked up
their spots (Howard, Altidore, Dempsey, Donovan, Zusi, Bradley,
Jones, F Johnson, Besler, Gonzalez, Cameron, Guzan, Rimando, Diskerud, Bedoya, Johannsson,
Beckerman, Beasley, Goodson). Nine of those 19 are on tonight’s roster.
This, however, leaves four World Cup roster spots unfilled,
with the most likely scenario seeing two spots going to defenders and two going
to midfielders or forwards. There are six players fighting for the
non-defensive spots (Julian Green, Eddie Johnson, Joe Corona, Maurice Edu, Brad
Davis, and Terrance Boyd) and five fighting for the defensive spots (Brad
Evans, Michael Parkhurst, DeAndre Yedlin, John Brooks, and Timothy Chandler).
Six of those players are on tonight’s roster.
That means that tonight’s roster has fifteen players with
their eyes on Brazil in their last chances to impress before the initial roster
is released. Tonight is not make or break for anybody. There will be 30 players
on the roster for the Azerbaijan and Turkey games and all 15 of those players will
be on it, barring any injury of course. However, it is a huge opportunity for them to
make their cases for Brazil—whether it be to start or to simply make the
roster.
3) Julian Green and DeAndre Yedlin
The one time switch made by Julian Green two weeks ago has
USMNT fans possibly more excited than ever. The hugely talented Bayern Munich 18-year-old
will be making his debut for the US tonight. Green is under a lot of pressure
to produce immediately, and if he wants to ensure himself of a spot in Brazil,
he might have to. For most USMNT fans, this will be their first look at the
youngster.
On top of that, DeAndre Yedlin should be getting the start
at right back for the Yanks—his first start and second cap. The 20-year-old
Seattle defender is another very exciting prospect in the US player pool. The
USMNT is weak at both fullback positions, which isn’t news to anyone, but right
back in particular is up for grabs. Steve Cherundolo recently retired, and
Klinsmann prefers Geoff Cameron centrally—even though he has had a fantastic
season for Stoke City at RB. Brad Evans started at RB for much of the Hex, but
he is a midfielder and is still suspect as a defender. Then there is Michael
Parkhurst, Timothy Chandler (who is battling a badly injured knee and questions
over his commitment to the US), and Yedlin. With a strong showing tonight,
Yedlin could put his name towards the top of the list on the right back depth
chart.
That means that two of the most exciting prospects the US
has will be in action tonight, both with something big to prove.
4) Bradley, Donovan and Dempsey
Landon Donovan is US soccer’s most accomplished player of
all time. He has more international goals and more assists than anybody that
has ever put on the stars and stripes. Clint Dempsey is the current captain of
the US national team. Michael Bradley is the most important player to the US
cause. All three will be starting tonight for the first time in nearly two
years, as the last time was June 12th, 2012.
The three will need to be on the same page and in form if the US is to
have any success at the World Cup. Tonight’s game will provide them with a good
opportunity to build some chemistry and get used to each other. It will also
provide fans with a good look at the true US midfield, as four (and possibly all
five) of the five projected World Cup starters will be in the starting XI.
5) Donovan and Dempsey’s last game vs Mexico?
Landon Donovan is 32. Clint Dempsey is 31. In the
international soccer world, that is getting very long in the tooth. The US currently
doesn’t have Mexico on the schedule again this year (unless they somehow both
reach the World Cup finals). That means the next possible time these rivals
will match up is in 2015 at the earliest—making Donovan and Dempsey 33 and 32
respectively. It isn’t at all out of the realm of possibility that both will
have hung up their cleats on the international stage by then, especially in
Donovan’s case. If this is indeed their last game against El Tri, it is worth
tuning in to see two of American soccer’s most storied players suit up against
them one last time.
As much as I would like to see Julian Green get the start, I don't think that's the best thing for the team. They need to have the midfield trio of Donovan, Dempsey, and Zusi begin to build their chemistry. I do think that Green gets at least 25 minutes tonight though.
I put Edu and not Beckerman next to Bradley because we need to see what he can do. Edu has been out of the national team picture for a while, and we know exactly what Beckerman brings to the table. Beckerman will be in Brazil, Edu is fighting to get there.
Gonzalez and Besler is the easy choice at center back. They will almost certainly be the pairing against Ghana in June and need to get all the time they can together. Parkhurst and Edu are the only possible left backs on the roster, and Parkhurst definitely gets the nod there. If he can play it effectively it will go a long way towards him making the team, as he will have shown an ability to play all four defensive spots. I already highlighted Yedlin earlier. Huge opportunity for the young talent.
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