For pride, certainly for pride, but above all, also for a big step toward the 2006 World Cup, Mexico and the USA will clash Sunday at the Estadio Azteca in the second match of the final round of CONCACAF qualifying.
The two most powerful teams in the region will meet in a match which will be important for the ego of both teams, but one that could also leave one or the other all alone atop the standings in the final hexagonal.
It's a massive game early in the final round that could open a huge door toward Germany for both teams, when you consider that of the six teams in the group, three qualify directly to the World Cup Finals and a fourth will still have an opportunity against an Asian team.
"I don't think we can talk yet about having a half-ticket for the World Cup. After we still have eight games, including two games against the United States and Costa Rica," said Mexican defender Rafael Márquez. "Right now the most important thing is the three points. We can't leave behind points at home, if we don't want to complicate qualfication."
For Marquez, with a victory against the USA and another against Panama at midweek, much will have been done to begin to solidfy the berth.
"If we come out with six points in four days, then I think things will be easier," Márquez said. "But I'm conscious that first we have to defeat the USA here. Without excuses."
"A victory will leave us in a very favorable situation to move forward, but I think until we go to the United Stated and win in Columbus we can't say we have a place in the World Cup," said forward Jared Borgetti.
Without a doubt, the mission for the tricolores will be difficult, after they've defeated their neighbors to the North on just one occasion in their last eight meetings.
"The U.S. has risen and rapidly learned how to play football," Márquez said. "Many of their players are playing abroad, in Europe, and this has helped them be physical, fast players who are very disciplined on the field."
One of the principal allies for Mexico will be off the field, the Azteca in the Mexican capital.
"The biggest obstacle for Sunday's game is the altitude (more than a mile above sea level), not Mexico. The opponent is only the second obstacle," said U.S. national team manager Bruce Arena. "Only one team has defeated Mexico in the Azteca in a qualifier (Costa Rica) ... The altitude is the biggest advantage for a team that plays there."
The antidote was a training camp at altitude for 15 days in the mountains of Colorado, which according to Arena, was sufficient to get into a rhythm and begin to adapt to the altitude and the temperature of close to 85 degrees will will await them on Sunday at noon in Mexico City.
Arena believes that the possibilities for the U.S. to reach Germany 2006 will considerably increase if they leave with points from the Azteca, even if it's just one.
"It's clear that for the United States a tie would be fantastic," said the Mexican technical director, Ricardo LaVolpe. "Therefore we have to play a very intelligent game, with patience, without becoming desperate if the goals don't come quickly. With security the U.S. will come out trying to close us down and hope to spring a counterattack to 'kill us'. That's their specialty."
The teams come into the match tied atop the six-team final group, Mexico after a victory against Costa Rica, the USA with a victory in Trinidad & Tobago.
Carlos A. Nava is a reporter for Al Dia in Dallas, Texas.
