Running third in CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers, El Tri need a victory over archival USMNT
As always, Mexico versus USA is not just another match on the road to a World Cup. For over eight decades now, it has become one of the biggest rivalries in international soccer. This year, both teams trail Canada in the standings with 21 points each but the Stars and Stripes are ahead with a better goal differential.
Historically, Mexico has been the strongest team in Concacaf. El Tri has qualified for the past seven FIFA World Cups and participated in 16 overall. They failed to reach the tournament only three times, missing out in 1974,1982 and being banned in 1990. As for the USMNT, history is different, as they failed to reach the most recent World Cup in Russia 2018 and only managed to qualify to ten World Cups since 1930.
The first time these two side met, the USMNT prevailed in a one-match, winner-take-all qualifier in Rome prior to the start of the 1934 World Cup. However, Mexico started a 31-year dominance over their rivals with two humiliating victories In the first qualifying tournament for Brazil 1950, 6-0 and 6-2, respectively.
Now things have changed.
Its true that the Mexican team has been better, wining 38 games and only dropping 23. But the USMNT has won the last three games, two finals and the first leg game of the WCQ, with a convincing 2-0 victory on Nov. 12.
If the tournament ended today, both teams would manage to qualify for Qatar, finishing in second and third place. Therefore, you can say a defeat this Thursday doesn’t mean the end of the world for either team. They are four points ahead of Panama, who right now would go to a intercontinental playoff game against the Oceanian winner. However, a victory for Panama would leave the fight red hot in the last two matches for whichever side loses this game.
Out of the two teams, El Tri, needs the win the most, not only in the search for a better qualifier result, but also for their pride. If the Spanish ‘El Clásico’ showed us something, it is that no one wants to lose against their most hated rival and Mexico has been on the losing side the last two years.
This Thursday, El Tri will try to win their first WCQ game at home over the USMNT since 2013. Let’s not forget Mexico had an overwhelming 12 wins, one draw and no losses record against the U.S. at home prior to the last two games which ended in draws. A win would be their first important victory versus the Americans since the 2-1 victory in U.S soil in 2015.