Men's National Teams

Mexico have announced their starting lineup for tonight’s World Cup qualifier against the USA, and it’s terrifying. While many predicted that Rafa Marquez would start in midfield for El Tri, the veteran player has been put in defense alongside Hector Moreno and Diego Reyes.

In midfield, Miguel Layun, Andres Guardado and Hector Herrera will be charged with protecting the defense and shuttling the ball forward into attack. Above them, Carlos Vela, Tecatito Corona and Giovani dos Santos will look to stretch the American defense.

Jurgen Klinsmann has named a vastly experienced starting eleven for Friday night’s World Cup qualifying match against Mexico in Columbus, Ohio. The only real deviance from that formula is the inclusion of 18-year-old Christian Pulisic, but the Borussia Dortmund starlet was widely tipped to start tonight.

In the absence of Geoff Cameron, John Brooks and Omar Gonzalez will anchor the center of defense for the Americans. Fabian Johnson has been pushed into midfield, and DeAndre Yedlin will have to accept a place on the bench as Timmy Chandler will start on the outside of defense. 

The United States of America

The United States vs. Mexico is one of the footballing world’s biggest international rivalries. The games are always intense, and the two sides clearly do not like each other. They have played 66 times dating back to 1934, with Mexico holding the overall advantage with 34 victories, 14 draws and only 18 losses.

The United States kicks off the hexagonal round of FIFA World Cup qualifying with two of the most difficult matches they’ll face on the road to Russia. On Friday, the USA host Mexico at Mapfre Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. Four days later, they face Costa Rica at the Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica. 

An extremely eventful week for American fullback DeAndre Yedlin ended on a high note with a brilliant assist against Cardiff City on Saturday and a call-up to the USMNT on Sunday.

The Hex kicks off on November 11 in Columbus, Ohio with the big one: the United States versus Mexico. El Tri manager Juan Carlos Osorio has announced his squad for that match and their trip to Central America to play Panama four days later.

While Osorio had the luxury of naming largely experimental squads for September’s final fourth round World Cup qualifiers against El Salvador and Honduras, as well as their October friendlies against New Zealand and Panama, the Colombian has named his strongest possible side in an attempt to end the Dos a Cero spell.