History hasn’t been kind to the USMNT in Mexico, and there’s a bigger picture to consider. But the U.S. has never had such an upper hand on its rival. So what should the approach be for tonight’s World Cup qualifier? BrianStraus on the balancing act
Berhalter could start his “best” XI against Mexico and risk emptying a few tanks in search of an unlikely but potentially massive cushion heading into the final two contests. Or, with the understanding that Sunday’s showdown with fourth-place Panama could determine his World Cup fate, Berhalter could opt to conserve their legs and energy. Some sort of hybrid or middle ground is possible as well. It’s a puzzle that’s been on the manager’s mind for a while.
“One thing I told the staff in our meeting as we started camp was, ‘You know, this is probably the biggest week of our lives as professional coaches.’ And that’s just honest.”The pressure is immense. More than four years after the shocking and disastrous loss in Trinidad that cost the U.S. a trip to the 2018 World Cup, the long wait for redemption is ending.
That’s a lot to take in. And so apart from Berhalter’s seven-day strategy, the Americans’ best bet Thursday is to live in the moment. The Azteca will destroy you if you’re distracted. Games there can be punishing, but every one is memorable. And they’re staged against a unique backdrop, in an iconic and one-of-a-kind arena that embodies so much of soccer’s history in this part of the world.
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