USA vs. Mexico: Date, Time, Live Stream and 2015 Friendly Preview
The biggest rivalry in North American football reignites on Saturday as the USA host Mexico at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. The region's biggest names face off in the CONCACAF Cup in front of a packed house.
El Tri will feel the weight of support, with the area's local American Mexican population in attendance, and the noise promises to be deafening at kick-off.
A place at the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia is the prize on offer, with the Americans sure they can topple their nemesis from south of the border.
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Here is how you can watch all of the action from Pasadena:
Date: Saturday, Oct. 10
Time: 6.30 p.m. (PT)/9.30 p.m. (ET)/Sunday, 2:30 a.m. (BST)
TV Info: Fox Sports 1 (US only)
Stream: Fox Soccer 2GO (US only)
Match Preview
The rivalry between USMNT and Mexico has developed consistently over the years as the popularity of football continues to explode in America. The Mexicans have always had deep roots when it comes to the beautiful game, but the USA are now the major power on the continent.
The heat has reached fever pitch in recent years as USMNT battle to dominate CONCACAF, but Mexico are not happy to let their rivals take the crown they wore for decades, unchallenged by any contender.
ESPN's Taylor Twellmen ramped up the fixture, demanding the USA rise to the occasion:
Mexico interim coach Ricardo Ferretti recently spoke about his team's forthcoming trip to California and appeared apprehensive, per CONCACAF.com. However, he said his side will concentrate on their own attributes and not those of the hosts:
"I am nervous, but hopeful. It’s a beautiful nervousness to have the responsibility of doing a good job and look for a good result on Saturday. More than think of them [the U.S.], think of ourselves. We’ll prepare ourselves well during these training days, do our best and think 80 per cent of what we should do and 20 per cent about the opponent in order to counter what they want to do.
"
Star forward Giovani dos Santos is set to miss out for Ferretti, with the player suffering a muscle strain for LA Galaxy against the Seattle Sounders on Sunday, according to CONCACAF.com. Dos Santos has four goals and six assists for the Galaxy since joining the MLS side; Mexico will miss the player, who has found a renaissance in USA club football.
USMNT have not had the best of times in 2015, failing to reach the final of the Gold Cup after a shock defeat to minnows Jamaica and surrendering third place to Panama on penalties.
Former fan favourite Landon Donovan told ESPNFC.co.uk coach Jurgen Klinsmann should relinquish his duties if form continues to deteriorate and slide on Saturday:
"The last game against Brazil was probably the worst game I've seen them [the USA] play under Jurgen. The reality is that now, anywhere else in the world, if this coach had those results, and they lose this game against Mexico, they'd be fired. I think if Jurgen wants to hold all the players to that standard, then he has to be held to that standard too.
"
The USA will be looking towards Alejandro Bedoya, with the midfielder recently telling Sports Illustrated's Brian Straus he is ready to step up to the plate against Mexico. The American player has performed wonders in French football for Nantes, becoming a dressing-room leader, and he feels he can mimic this in a USMNT shirt at the weekend and beyond.
Klinsmann will be in trouble if his side lose against Mexico, and there is a distinct possibility the game could be his last in charge if failure occurs.
Donovan is still an influential figure on the American scene, and his comments will resonate if USMNT are embarrassed at the Rose Bowl.
However, Mexico are also in transition and not at their strongest ebb. A victory against the Americans is on the cards given both teams' form, but the motivation will be with Clint Dempsey and his team-mates as they look to save the manager's job and reject the prospect of local humiliation.
