It’s obvious the United States and Mexico are going to be in the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Surely, U.S. manager Bruce Arena and Mexican manager Ricardo LaVolpe would not admit this in front of their players, but it’s reality.
On Saturday, it’s win and you’re in when the teams meet in Columbus, Ohio.
And the sooner a team qualifies, the better its chances could potentially be at the World Cup.
So here’s the plan: Win and qualify. Celebrate briefly. Refocus.
Realistically, the U.S. and Mexico have navigated the CONCACAF qualifying waters with confidence and have put themselves in position to qualify for Germany 2006.
The teams are head and shoulders above the rest in our region of the world.
With the United States’ dominance over Mexico in the last eight games, many fans in this country felt the time was right for the U.S. to get its first victory at Azteca stadium in the recent World Cup qualifier.
Mexico’s 2-1 victory was convincing and rekindled the confidence that then blossomed into success at the Confedera-
tions Cup in Germany, where Mexico beat Brazil.
The bottom line is this one will be about rivalry and bragging rights, much like the Revancha en la cancha match at a soldout Reliant Stadium in 2003.
Much like the U.S. would love to get a victory in Mexico, the Tricolores would love to start more of a winning tradition in the U.S. Gaining entry into the World Cup with a victory over the United States on U.S. soil would be a real boost. I can hear it now from U.S. fans: “Not in our house.”
Both Arena and LaVolpe would love to have the pressure of qualifying for Germany eliminated so that they can focus on shaping a team for a short tournament that leaves little room for error.
Remaining qualifying matches can be used for tactical experimentation, player monitoring, resting key players and figuring out positional challenges.
But qualifying early can have a flip side. With results less meaningful, Arena and LaVolpe will need to ensure the gas pedal is pushed at the appropriate time as the World Cup gets closer, and the appetite for competition remains high.
U.S.-Mexico matches are always all-out physical wars; expect no less in this one. Sit back and enjoy CONCACAF’s greatest rivalry.
More: chron.com
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