Mexico vs. USA: Americans Won't Reverse Struggles Against Mexico in Loss

The United States men's soccer team traditionally struggles against Mexico. Don't expect that to change when the two countries meet in a friendly on Wednesday night.

The most obvious reason is that the game is being played in Mexico. If you think the United States men's soccer team has a hard time with the Mexicans in general, just wait to see how bad they are below the border.

Here are a few fun facts for you, via USSoccer.com:

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The USA has never won a match on Mexican soil, holding a lifetime record of 0-23-1. Their last friendly in Mexico resulted in a 2-1 loss on Oct. 17, 1984, in Mexico City. The teams have played south of the border six times since, the USA’s most recently suffering back-to-back 2-1 defeats in FIFA World Cup qualifying (2005 and 2009). The U.S. has a lifetime record of 15-32-12 against Mexico in a series that dates back to 1934.

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It's not going to help the team's cause that Jurgen Klinsmann left veterans Clint Dempsey, Carlos Bocanegra, Steve Cherundolo, Jozy Altidore, Michael Bradley and Clarence Goodson off the team for this match.

Nor will it help the cause that the Mexican national team will surely be pumped after the U-23 squad won Olympic gold on Saturday. And as Seth Vertelney of Yahoo! Sports notes, it's just one of the many huge accomplishments El Tri has managed in the past year:

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U17 World Cup champions, U20 World Cup third place, Gold Cup champions, Pan Am Games champions, Toulon tournament champions, Milk Cup champions, and, of course, Olympic gold medalists.

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While Giovani Dos Santos and defender Carlos Salcido won't make appearances for Mexico, stars and mainstays such as Javier Hernandez, Andres Guardado, Hector Moreno and Guillermo Ochoa will all be available.

Frankly, the past and present are working against the United States. Quite simply, Mexico has the better side if both teams are even strength, and the U.S. is far from even strength in this one. Plus, the home-field advantage that Mexico has displayed in the past can't be ignored.

Nothing is guaranteed, of course. Perhaps some of the young players won't have any idea about the United States' record in Mexico. Maybe the recent achievements of the Mexican side or the boisterous crowd at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City won't impress this American squad.

Perhaps they'll simply come out and outplay the Mexicans.

But I doubt it. Much as I would love to see a Team USA win in this one, I don't think it is happening. It's easy to overcome a poor history in a rivalry if you have the more talented team. It's easy to overcome a talent disparity if you have the home-field advantage.

Unfortunately, the United States has neither. Barring a Landon Donovan classic, my money is on the Mexican team in this international friendly.

Hit me up on Twitter—my tweets are gold like the Team USA women.