US v Mexico Scouting Report @ Mexico 08/11/09

Fasten your seatbelts AO, it's as big as it gets in CONCACAF Qualifying. What used to be a rivalry that involved back and forth wins... is still a rivalry. But the Mexican's have seen a '0' next to their point total all too often lately. With the exception of the Gold Cup Final, the Americans were 8-0-1 in their last 9 games versus their always-classy neighbors. Keep in mind that none of the starting 11 that faced Mexico in the GC Final will likely feature against them Wednesday. Mexico will likely play at least 5 of their starting 11, and will have to show their worth to get anything from this game.

The US visits Estadio Azteca on Wednesday hoping to secure their first win on Mexican soil. The Americans are 0-18-1 in WCQ in Mexico, but many US fans feel that this can be our year. Playing in front of 105,000 of Mexico's most elegant and tasteful supporters, Bob Bradley will have to show some his team still possess' that the composure that took them to the Confederation Cup final in South Africa two months ago. Bradley has named a very similar squad to that team that faced Brazil, with a few minor exceptions.

GK: Brad Guzan, Tim Howard
DEF: Carlos Bocanegra, Jonathan Bornstein, Steve Cherundolo, Jay DeMerit, Chad Marshall, Oguchi Onyewu, Jonathan Spector
MID: Michael Bradley, Ricardo Clark, Clint Dempsey, Benny Feilhaber, Stuart Holden , José Francisco Torres
FOR: Jozy Altidore, Conor Casey, Brian Ching, Charlie Davies, Landon Donovan

Javier Aguirre, Mexico's new skipper, simply defines the word " grace," leading by example on and off the pitch. One may wander what will happen when Landon Donovan goes racing down the wing in front of the Mexican bench. Will he swipe a leg? Perhaps toss a Dos Equis bottle. Or maybe throw a blood/urine-filled Ziploc? One thing is certain, this bandit will do what it takes to win. He is without the services of Rafael Marquez, the Barcelona defender missing through injury.

Can the American's prove their worth on this stage and grind out a result? That is the question. Altitude, heat, dangerous atmosphere... No excuses. We need to get points. A loss here will leave our dirty neighbors just 1 point behind us in qualifying, however, a win will all but secure our participation in 2010.

Let's get 3 points! This is what we have been waiting for. Get your drinks at your watch parties, tip your bartender, and raise your American flag after the victory.

This is our day. Come on boys!