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Counterattack: Who Will Win In Azteca- USA Or Mexico?
The big showdown between two of CONCACAF's top teams is almost here.
Aug 6, 2009 4:07:23 AM
Goal.com's Mexico editor Luis Bueno and regular contributor Andrea Martinez look into a crystal ball for August 12 and see vastly different outcomes in the US-Mexico World Cup qualifier in the Azteca.
Question: Who will prevail in Estadio Azteca on Aug. 12?
Luis Bueno: Mexico is the favorite entering this game for more reasons than one, but I believe this is the year that the United States will pull off the victory and nab their first-ever win in Azteca. Now, to me the Confederations Cup performance or the performance in the Hexagonal has not swayed my decision - I predicted this back in January. I believe that one of the top goals for the U.S. this year was to win in Azteca, to finally slay their largest demon, and I think they're focused and determined to win, and we've seen what a focused and determined Bob Bradley squad can do.
Andrea Martinez: I agree that Mexico are the favorites to win for several reasons. However, the US will not win at the Azteca. Bob Bradley has been making eyebrow-raising decisions as of late, and most of the time they haven't worked out too well. Those decisions have even led for the call of his head. It may be one of the top goals, to win at the Azteca, but just as there is strong determination by the US to win, there is also just as much or more on Mexico's side to gain a victory. Mexico is in fourth place of the World Cup qualifying table, and a win would almost guarantee a place in South Africa. If the US lose, their qualification won't be in as much danger, so while the US may be working to win at the Azteca, Mexico is playing for much more.
Bueno: The stakes are raised for Mexico indeed, and that is what will push the U.S. over the top. It's no secret that the U.S. enjoys beating Mexico, enjoys seeing the Mexican national team in tatters. That Mexico could potentially miss out on South Africa is an added bonus for the U.S.
If Mexico beats the U.S., there will be one point separating the two teams with four games left. But if the U.S. pulls off the victory, the U.S. will be six clear of Mexico and, should Honduras win, Mexico would be four points back of third place. There would be a nearly insurmountable distance between Mexico and third place, and that will make the U.S. strive now more than ever to get the win. And unlike 2001, when Mexico was also in trouble, the U.S. has a team now to pull off the historic win.
Martinez: Both counties enjoy seeing the other one down, but now Mexico has more confidence than before. It's true that the Gold Cup squads from both teams are different and were neither countries' "A" squads, but confidence has been injected into the Mexican mentality.
The supporters have already bought all the tickets, and they're not planning to go to the match to see Mexico lose. They are planning to support El Tri as never before. The supporters are bound to give the team an extra psychological boost and the team will benefit from that, knowing that fans aren't there with plans to boo, but are there to cheer. Mexico knows that they have to win this match, or a a comeback would be very difficult.
When Aguirre was brought in, the plan was to win the games at home, because that was where they were planning to get their points; with all the circumstances against them, the US won't be able to pull off their win, and in the end the elevated expectations for the US team may end up hurting them.
Bueno: The expectations are raised from the U.S. perspective because this is the best team the U.S. has taken down to Azteca. Players like Charlie Davies, Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley are too young to know that they aren't supposed to step up and show well down there. They didn't know that they weren't supposed to have stood a chance against Spain or that they weren't going to advance past the group stage of the Confederations Cup at all.
Bruce Arena's teams weren't as dynamic as this one is heading down to Mexico City. And the Mexican defense, for all their surge in confidence, has some holes, namely in central defense. The U.S. could very well exploit that to their advantage.
Martinez: Davies, Altidore, and Bradley may not have had to deal with high expectations going into the Confederations Cup, but because they did so well at the Confederations Cup, they will be held up high this time around.
Now they are expected to do well, and well aware about their expected performance against Mexico despite the location. Bradley's team is more dynamic, but when changes need to be made he doesn't always do it to the best benefit of the team.
As for the Mexican defense, yes the two that are expected to be at the back on that day underperformed with their club team, but they were also with young players at the back. In addition, they weren't the only ones having the problems and everyone on their team didn't do anything to stop the attacks up front; their team failed as a whole, and no matter what any one person says, weren't the only ones to blame. The national team will have more possibilities to stop the US and help out the perhaps less-than-perfect defense.
Bueno: Ultimately what will help the U.S. is their experience. The U.S. team is deeper, better, stronger and healthier in August than they were in February, when qualifying began.
The U.S. has taken its lumps on the road in El Salvador and, in particular Costa Rica. But the U.S. is growing together and showing cohesion and - a bit of Bradley-speak here - and understanding of what it takes to get results when it matters the most. This matters the most, more so than any game this year.
If the U.S. wins in Azteca next Wednesday, it will be one of the biggest wins in U.S. history, bar none. That's what will drive the U.S. team in Azteca.
Martinez: The US team may be showing cohesion, but the majority of the Mexican team already has it.
Twelve of the twenty players on the roster this time around have been together for more than a month, and those connections made on the field by those are bound to carry over to August 12th. Cohesion is attained over a longer period of time, and not just in a few days.
Winning at the Azteca may drive the US, but Mexico's drive and need to make the World Cup will see them triumph.
Counterattack runs every Thursday on Goal.com
Will you be there when history is made? Get U.S.-Mexico Azteca tickets now.
Question: Who will prevail in Estadio Azteca on Aug. 12?
Luis Bueno: Mexico is the favorite entering this game for more reasons than one, but I believe this is the year that the United States will pull off the victory and nab their first-ever win in Azteca. Now, to me the Confederations Cup performance or the performance in the Hexagonal has not swayed my decision - I predicted this back in January. I believe that one of the top goals for the U.S. this year was to win in Azteca, to finally slay their largest demon, and I think they're focused and determined to win, and we've seen what a focused and determined Bob Bradley squad can do.
Andrea Martinez: I agree that Mexico are the favorites to win for several reasons. However, the US will not win at the Azteca. Bob Bradley has been making eyebrow-raising decisions as of late, and most of the time they haven't worked out too well. Those decisions have even led for the call of his head. It may be one of the top goals, to win at the Azteca, but just as there is strong determination by the US to win, there is also just as much or more on Mexico's side to gain a victory. Mexico is in fourth place of the World Cup qualifying table, and a win would almost guarantee a place in South Africa. If the US lose, their qualification won't be in as much danger, so while the US may be working to win at the Azteca, Mexico is playing for much more.
Bueno: The stakes are raised for Mexico indeed, and that is what will push the U.S. over the top. It's no secret that the U.S. enjoys beating Mexico, enjoys seeing the Mexican national team in tatters. That Mexico could potentially miss out on South Africa is an added bonus for the U.S.
If Mexico beats the U.S., there will be one point separating the two teams with four games left. But if the U.S. pulls off the victory, the U.S. will be six clear of Mexico and, should Honduras win, Mexico would be four points back of third place. There would be a nearly insurmountable distance between Mexico and third place, and that will make the U.S. strive now more than ever to get the win. And unlike 2001, when Mexico was also in trouble, the U.S. has a team now to pull off the historic win.
Martinez: Both counties enjoy seeing the other one down, but now Mexico has more confidence than before. It's true that the Gold Cup squads from both teams are different and were neither countries' "A" squads, but confidence has been injected into the Mexican mentality.
The supporters have already bought all the tickets, and they're not planning to go to the match to see Mexico lose. They are planning to support El Tri as never before. The supporters are bound to give the team an extra psychological boost and the team will benefit from that, knowing that fans aren't there with plans to boo, but are there to cheer. Mexico knows that they have to win this match, or a a comeback would be very difficult.
When Aguirre was brought in, the plan was to win the games at home, because that was where they were planning to get their points; with all the circumstances against them, the US won't be able to pull off their win, and in the end the elevated expectations for the US team may end up hurting them.
Bueno: The expectations are raised from the U.S. perspective because this is the best team the U.S. has taken down to Azteca. Players like Charlie Davies, Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley are too young to know that they aren't supposed to step up and show well down there. They didn't know that they weren't supposed to have stood a chance against Spain or that they weren't going to advance past the group stage of the Confederations Cup at all.
Bruce Arena's teams weren't as dynamic as this one is heading down to Mexico City. And the Mexican defense, for all their surge in confidence, has some holes, namely in central defense. The U.S. could very well exploit that to their advantage.
Martinez: Davies, Altidore, and Bradley may not have had to deal with high expectations going into the Confederations Cup, but because they did so well at the Confederations Cup, they will be held up high this time around.
Now they are expected to do well, and well aware about their expected performance against Mexico despite the location. Bradley's team is more dynamic, but when changes need to be made he doesn't always do it to the best benefit of the team.
As for the Mexican defense, yes the two that are expected to be at the back on that day underperformed with their club team, but they were also with young players at the back. In addition, they weren't the only ones having the problems and everyone on their team didn't do anything to stop the attacks up front; their team failed as a whole, and no matter what any one person says, weren't the only ones to blame. The national team will have more possibilities to stop the US and help out the perhaps less-than-perfect defense.
Bueno: Ultimately what will help the U.S. is their experience. The U.S. team is deeper, better, stronger and healthier in August than they were in February, when qualifying began.
The U.S. has taken its lumps on the road in El Salvador and, in particular Costa Rica. But the U.S. is growing together and showing cohesion and - a bit of Bradley-speak here - and understanding of what it takes to get results when it matters the most. This matters the most, more so than any game this year.
If the U.S. wins in Azteca next Wednesday, it will be one of the biggest wins in U.S. history, bar none. That's what will drive the U.S. team in Azteca.
Martinez: The US team may be showing cohesion, but the majority of the Mexican team already has it.
Twelve of the twenty players on the roster this time around have been together for more than a month, and those connections made on the field by those are bound to carry over to August 12th. Cohesion is attained over a longer period of time, and not just in a few days.
Winning at the Azteca may drive the US, but Mexico's drive and need to make the World Cup will see them triumph.
Counterattack runs every Thursday on Goal.com
Will you be there when history is made? Get U.S.-Mexico Azteca tickets now.
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