Mexico vs. USA Starting Lineups: Predicting Starters for Both Sides in Qualifier

Estadio Azteca will host what should be a heated battle between rivals as Mexico and the United States attempt to provide a major boost to their World Cup qualifying campaigns with a win on Tuesday night.

Mexico currently sits in fourth place after letting a 2-0 lead slip away against Honduras on Friday. It followed a highly-disappointing hexagonal opener which had seen El Tri unable to generate a goal on home soil in a scoreless draw with Jamaica.

The United States is in slightly better shape after surviving blizzard conditions to defeat Costa Rica 1-0. Winning in Mexico has been historically tough for the Americans, but they did earn a friendly win last year. A draw would be an acceptable result tonight.

Let's take a look at projected lineups for both countries ahead of the key qualifier. These 22 players will be under immense pressure once the opening whistle sounds.

Mexico

GK and DF: Guillermo Ochoa – Jorge Torres Nilo, Hugo Ayala, Hector Moreno, Severo Meza

Mexico manager Jose Manuel de la Torre had a tough decision to make in goal: Stick with Ochoa, who drew the start in Friday's draw with Honduras, or switch back to Jesus Corona. He decided on the former, according to Zac Lee Rigg of Goal.com.

The only change along the back line will likely come at the expense of Francisco Rodriguez, who's suspended for the match (per Rigg). Fellow center-back Ayala is the best bet to fill the void, with Ochoa taking over the captain's armband.

MF: Carlos Salcido, Jesus Zavala – Andres Guardado, Giovani dos Santos, Javier Aquino

No major surprises in the midfield. The biggest key for Mexico will be for this group (most notably dos Santos) to put constant pressure on the United States' center-backs. The American defenders weren't truly tested due to the snowstorm on Friday, but they looked shaky against Honduras.

FW: Javier Hernandez

Hernandez has scored 30 goals in 45 appearances for Mexico. The dynamic Manchester United striker must get heavily involved in the attack early to ensure El Tri grabs control of the momentum after the team's poor finish last time out.

United States

GK and DF: Brad Guzan – DaMarcus Beasley, Omar Gonzalez, Clarence Goodson, Geoff Cameron

This group deserves credit for standing tall during a hectic second half against Costa Rica. That said, there are still plenty of question marks that won't be answered until they play in normal conditions against a dangerous Mexican side.

Brad Guzan needs to maintain his recent strong run of form. Beasley held his own at left-back and should draw another start, giving the American another option on the wing.

MF: Kyle Beckerman, Michael Bradley – Herculez Gomez, Clint Dempsey, Graham Zusi

The only change here is Beckerman replacing the injured Jermaine Jones. Maurice Edu would be the other option in a holding role. Either way, Bradley needs to move forward more than he was able to in the second half of Friday's win.

Gomez, Dempsey and Zusi formed a dangerous trio early in the Costa Rica match. Jurgen Klinsmann hopes they can build off that, as Landon Donovan remains absent.

FW: Jozy Altidore

Altidore finally showcased some of the form he's illustrated at the club level, creating several dangerous scoring opportunities against the Ticos. One of his deflected shots led to Dempsey's winner. That's what the United States needs from him every time out.