The U.S. and Mexico have played twice before in 2007, the first a 2-0 U.S. win in Arizona, the second a 2-1 U.S. win in the Gold Cup final in Chicago.
Can they possibly meet for a third time this year already?
Technically, they can. Mexico has two wins in two games and is atop Group B with six points. They've already secured their passage into the quarterfinals and with a draw or win, would win the group title outright.
The Group B winner is slated to play the Group C runner-up in the second round. The U.S. is in Group C. For the U.S. to finish in second place, they would probably need a win and a draw at minimum in the next two games. So technically yes the two can meet but realistically, well, that is unlikely in my opinion.
However, for argument's sake, if there is any hopes of this happening, the U.S. has to beat Paraguay today, and preferably by a few goals. If the U.S. and Paraguay finish even on points, the goal differential would not be kind to the U.S. (minus three) as Paraguay (plus five) has essentially an eight-goal lead on the Americans.
Probably more realistic for the U.S. advancing is as a third-place group, and then the odds of meeting Mexico are severely diminished.
4 comments:
Even if it doesn't happen here, I heard the U.S. is heading to Mexico City sometime in September to take on El Tri. Playing in that environment will defintely challenge them more...
As much as I would like Mexico to defeat the U.S, a Copa America clash would do my beloved Tri no justice, specially not after what the Argies did to them, that just cheapens the victory.
The September friendly is also no good, unless you are a stat nerd and like keeping count on meaningless wins.
I would like to think, however, that the friendly will be the first of ten to be played at Azteca, against the U.S, to try and tilt the rivalry back to our favor.
We are a long way from playing Mexico in the next round.
Here is just a quick note on FIFA U-17 winners and future success. Nigeria and Ghana have won it twice. Russia and Saudi Arabia once. As far as I know neither of those teams have become super powers. So let's be careful before we say fufture help is coming. The last two victories are great for the team and Sanchez but when it was all said and done the tournament that really mattered was lost. Now I am glad for these wins so that old realiable players can now begin to be fazed out because let's be honest they are old and not reliable.
Any team in any meaningful game means something. If they play the U.S. then they play the U.S. big deal.
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