USA vs. Mexico Women's Soccer: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview

Mexico and the USA play the first of two encounters in a week on Saturday as the sides complete their preparations for the upcoming CONCACAF Women’s Championship. 

The imminent tournament will serve as the qualifiers for the 2015 Women's World Cup in Canada with the top three teams automatically going to the competition.

Thus Saturday's game at the Rio Tinto Stadium in Utah represents an important occasion for both sides as they prepare for a crucial period of the international season.

Read on for full scheduling, live streaming and television information ahead of what should be an exciting encounter between the two rival teams.

Date: Saturday, September 13

Time: 9:30 p.m. ET, 4:30 p.m. BST

TV Info: ESPN2 (US only)

Live Stream: ESPN Player 

Daunting USA Record

Patrick Smith/Getty Images

In the history of these two sides facing off against each other, it is the USWNT who have a serious edge over their Mexican opponents, having won 27 times from 29 encounters and losing just once.

Jill Ellis and her players will be hoping to improve that record further on Saturday in Utah with a strong performance.

Shannon Boxx and Kristie Mewis return to the 28-woman squad for the upcoming games while keeper Alyssa Naeher is included after a terrific season, per NBC Sports' Jeff Kassouf:

Mexico look set to be missing a few players through injury, in particular strikers Monica Ocampo—who is out with a dislocated shoulder—and Renae Cuellar who is undergoing knee surgery, per Kassouf on Soccerly.

The USA pose a significant challenge for Leonardo Cuellar's side having thrashed Switzerland 4-1 only a few weeks ago.

However, with the key World Cup qualifiers coming up in October, Mexico will likely face no tougher opposition than the USA, making the coming week's double-header greatly important in preparation.

Qualifying Preparation 

Brian Blanco/Getty Images

With the two groups for the CONCACAF Women’s Championship set, per USWNT, both USA and Mexico should expect to top their respective pools:

After that, it is merely a question of making it through to the final to guarantee a place at next year's World Cup.

Most likely these two sides will meet in the final of October's tournament, but a fourth-place finish would require a playoff with a South American side.

With Saturday's game being the penultimate opportunity for both managers to chop and change their team ahead of the crucial qualifiers, some experimentation should be expected.

However, it is likely to still be a fine contest, although the USA side will be confident of claiming victory. A Mexican victory would be a huge boost for the Central American team.

They face each other again five days later in Rochester, New York and a win in Utah would set either side up for a whitewash victory in the two-match series.