The United States is coming off of a snow filled victory against Costa Rica last week and are ready to take on Mexico in a hostile environment as the two national teams clash in a World Cup Qualifier at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City at 10:30 pm ET live on ESPN.
The team knows the environment will be loud and raucous and luckily for both sides the earthquake that hit Mexico City earlier in the day did not do any serious damage to the area or the stadium. The US team will have some changes, as Michael Orozco Fiscal was called in to replace injured midfielder Jermaine Jones, giving the team another lineup for U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann, making it his 25th different one in as many games.
Fiscal could bring some good fortune to the US team as he scored the game winner in August of 2012 to give the Americans their first win at Estadio Azteca against Mexico. The Mexican squad has only lost on qualifier at home and they will have over 100,000 fans at the high-altitude stadium cheering on the team.
The United States will be prepared for anything after dealing with snow against Costa Rica and it would be a huge boost for the team heading forward to get a victory. DaMarcus Beasley, Hérculez Gómez and Joe Corona all have experience playing in the stadium in other competitions and won't be intimidated by the altitude or the noise.
Mexico tied against Jamaica at home 0-0 last month and the team also allowed a goal in a 3-1 win over Guyana, giving the US hope for a good performance on Tuesday night. Costa Rice tried to protest the game against the US in the snow, but FIFA dismissed the complaint, saying it did not meet the requirements of a valid protest.
FIF said it had to do with a clause in the 2014 World Cup regulations, as that a team's captain must "immediately lodge a protest with the referee in the presence of the captain of the opposing team." FIFA says "therefore, the result of the match played on March 22 stands and is considered as valid."
The snowstorm hit Commerce City in Colorado and left the pitch filled with snow, although the players said that they were able to play mostly normal apart from some slickness. Clint Dempsey scored the lone goal as the team is now in second place for the CONCACAF region group after playing two matches.
The US has one win and one loss and has three points heading into the game against Mexico. The Mexican team has two ties and takes two points into the much-needed game against the Americans.
Predictions: United States 2, Mexico 1. The Americans are ready for what's coming and Clint Dempsey is expected to keep his hot streak going, as he will score again after putting in the lone goal in the Costa Rica snow win. The team desperately needs a win and can stay ahead in the CONCACAF region as they move forward in qualifying.
