If there's anyone on Mexico's national team who's qualified to talk about their long run of disappointing results against the United States in Columbus, it's Rafael Marquez.
The veteran defender, who spent three tumultuous seasons with the New York Red Bulls from 2010-12 and now captains Liga MX side Atlas, has been on hand for three of Mexico's four dos a cero losses to the Yanks in World Cup qualifiers in Columbus. (He had to leave the 2009 match early, after being sent off, and did not play in the 2013 match.)
At 37, this is likely his last shot at ending his side's streak of futility in La Guerra Fria -- and Marquez means to take it when the series renews on Friday at MAPFRE Stadium (7:45 ET, FS1 and Univision).
"The good thing about football is that it gives you revenge," Marquez told ESPN FC on Tuesday. "We've not done well here [in the past] and this is a new opportunity to trust in the group and the coach and get three important points."
And while Mexico's history in Columbus is one of frustration and defeat – something Mexico's players have already addressed, he said – Marquez insists he has set aside those past results and believes in the "enormous potential" of his team.
"I don't remember anything," he said. "This is a new time, almost half our team is [playing] in Europe and I think that is interesting."
Columbus is the only true fortress for the United States in their long rivalry with Mexico, compared with other venues where Mexican fan numbers sometimes match or even outstrip those of the Americans. Marquez discounted that advantage, too.
"When we go to Honduras there are lots of Hondurans," he said. "When we go to Guatemala there are lots of Guatemalans, and this group has shown that we can go to Honduras and win."
No matter the result on Friday, Marquez doesn't expect to step down from international competition any time soon.
"It would be easy for me to retire, maybe be in my house, scratching my belly, watching and criticizing," he said. "In the end, my ambition to do something different and to see a better national team is why I'm here working, giving my experience, helping on and off the pitch."
