But the US side possesses a special “Dos a Cero” winning streak in Columbus, Ohio, the site of Friday night’s World Cup qualifying clash (7:45 p.m., Fox Sports 1 and Univision Deportes) and considered the “spiritual home” of usa soccer since 2001, when the usa won “La Guerra Fria” in frigid temperatures.
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Friday’s game marks the start of the fifth round or “Hexagonal” stage of CONCACAF qualifying, with the U.S. and Mexico among six teams contesting three automatic qualifying spots for Russian Federation 2018 in a round robin. It’s clear to say that this is the biggest test for the United States since their 4-0 loss against Argentina back at theCopa America Centenario, but it will surely be a demonstration of youth and veterans on display.
Costa Rica also got off to a winning start as they beat Trinidad and Tobago 2-0 in Port of Spain. It is a long road over 10 games. It is just part of the qualifying process. The game will be played on United States soil in Columbus and no doubt we’ll see a wall or two (football term for a defensive line of players defending a freekick) from both sides. The biggest advantage Mexico has over the U.S.is their offense, which is led by superstar forward Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez.
Cameron was paired with John Brooks in central defense during this year’s Copa America but has missed Stoke’s last two Premier League games after hyperextending a knee against Hull on October 22.
Trump described Mexicans variously as “criminals” and “rapists” during his election campaign and said he wants to build a wall along the US-Mexico border.
“This is a new opportunity for us”, Mexican captain Rafa Marquez said. “He slipped in there and we go home with a loss”.
USMNT head coach Jurgen Klinsmann said he thought Marquez was defender John Brooks’ man on the fateful corner.
The U.S. players clearly weren’t comfortable in Klinsmann’s tactical set-up, and Mexico dominated the first half hour. “It’s a bummer”, said Klinsmann, who was considering moving Cameron into a defensive midfield role. “That calmed down the situation”. But before that, Mexico thrived.
Last year, 34 arrests were made at the Rose Bowl, venue of the United States’ last clash with Mexico.
Mexico ended their World Cup qualifying losing streak in Columbus, beating the USMNT 2-1 on a late goal to open the Hexagonal round. The 37-year-old goalie crumpled to the ground after a goal kick in the 35th minute with a right groin strain. To add to the Red, White and Blue’s misery, Tim Howard went down with a non-contact injury in the 40th-minute minute and had to be taken off.
The U.S. team plays Tuesday at Costa Rica, where it has never won in qualifying, and Klinsmann said Howard likely will miss the match.
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Both USA and Mexico are realistically expected to progress, but both have sometimes been guilty of making things more hard than they need to be. Bobby Wood tied the score 1-1 for the US four minutes into the second half.
