US SOCCER NEWS — August 14, 2012 at 11:03 pm

U.S. Men’s National Team vs. Mexico – International Friendly Estadio Azteca; Mexico City, Mexico

by

Aug. 14, 2012

 

U.S. FACES MEXICO AT ESTADIO AZTECA: Before the U.S. Men’s National Team resumes its 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying, the group will try to make history in its international friendly against Mexico at 7 p.m. CT (8 p.m. ET) on Wednesday, Aug. 15, at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The USA’s attempt to win for the first time against Mexico on its own soil will be broadcast live on ESPN2, ESPN3 and Univision. Fans can follow the match on ussoccer.com’s MatchTracker for live updates and join the discussion around the game via Twitter @ussoccer.

The friendly serves as an important chance to get back in the swing of international competition in advance of the USA’s return to qualifying competition when it faces Jamaica at 9:30 p.m. ET on Sept. 7 at National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica. Four days later the teams square off again at 8 p.m. ET on Sept. 11 in front of what is expected to be a capacity crowd at Columbus Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. That match will be broadcast live on ESPN2, ESPN3 and Univision (TICKETS). The U.S. will host a public training session at 10:30 a.m. ET on Sept. 9 at Crew Stadium. Admission and parking are free.

U.S. MNT PLAYERS PREVIEW USA-MEXICO
U.S. midfielder MAURICE EDU
On taking stock of the atmosphere provided by Estadio Azteca:
“We’re all aware of that. It’s part and parcel of this fixture and it’s something we get excited for. It’s going to be a crazy environment. It’s one of the biggest games for us and we use that as our own personal motivation. If we get a win here, it’s a big deal for us and that’s what we’re all looking to do on Wednesday night.”

U.S. midfielder DaMARCUS BEASLEY
On what it would mean to beat Mexico on Wednesday:
“It would be amazing if I could be a part of that. Just being around the guys again is great for me. To beat them and being the first team to ever do it would be pretty special. Hopefully we can do that Wednesday and get a good result.”

 

U.S. goalkeeper TIM HOWARD
On the gap between the success of Mexico and the U.S.:
“It depends who you ask. I think ourselves and Mexico are always very close. Depending on six months or one year, either team can go ahead. Because both teams are so talented, it doesn’t take much to shift the balance. That’s why we play these games and it’s important to not only win the head-to-head competition but also when it comes to qualifying to finish first because they’re going to want to finish first. Those things are important to say who the best is. When you have two great teams, everyone is going to have an opinion on who is better.”

For more U.S. player comments previewing Wednesday’s game, visit ussoccer.com.

U.S. MNT 2012 SCHEDULE

Date Opponent Result/Time (ET) U.S. goalscorers/TV Venue
Jan. 21 Venezuela 1-0 W Ricardo Clark Univ. of Phoenix Stadium; Glendale, Ariz.
Jan. 25 Panama 1-0 W Graham Zusi Estadio Rommel Fernandez; Panama City, Panama
Feb. 29 Italy 1-0 W Clint Dempsey Stadio Luigi Ferraris; Genoa
May 26 Scotland 5-1 W L. Donovan (3), M. Bradley, J. Jones EverBank Field; Jacksonville, Fla.
May 30 Brazil 1-4 L Herculez Gomez FedExField; Landover, Md.
June 3 Canada 0-0 T None BMO Field; Toronto, Canada
June 8 Antigua & Barbuda* 3-1 W Carlos Bocanegra, Clint Dempsey, Herculez Gomez Raymond James Stadium; Tampa, Fla.
June 12 Guatemala* 1-1 T Clint Dempsey Estadio Nacional Mateo Flores; Guatemala City
Aug. 15 Mexico 8 p.m. ESPN2/ESPN3/Univision Estadio Azteca; Mexico City, Mexico
Sept. 7 Jamaica* 9:30 p.m. National Stadium; Kingston, Jamaica
Sept. 11 Jamaica* 8 p.m. ESPN2/ESPN3/Univision Columbus Crew Stadium; Columbus, Ohio
Oct. 12 Antigua & Barbuda* 7 p.m. Sir Vivian Richards Stadium; North Sound, Antigua
Oct. 16 Guatemala* 7 p.m. ESPN2/ESPN3/Univision LIVESTRONG Sporting Park; Kansas City, Kan.

*2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifying

U.S. ROSTER BY POSITION – DETAILED ROSTER
GOALKEEPERS (3): Tim Howard (Everton), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
DEFENDERS (6): Steven Beitashour (San Jose Earthquakes), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Edgar Castillo (Club Tijuana), Michael Orozco Fiscal (San Luis), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim)
MIDFIELDERS (9): DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla), Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04), Jose Torres (Pachuca), Brek Shea (FC Dallas), Danny Williams (Hoffenheim), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)
FORWARDS (5): Terrence Boyd (Rapid Vienna), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Herculez Gomez (Santos), Alan Gordon (San Jose Earthquakes), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)

 

ROSTER NOTES

 

  • Six players on the U.S. roster play professionally in Liga MX in Mexico: DaMarcus Beasley, Edgar Castillo, Joe Corona, Herculez Gomez, Michael Orozco Fiscal and Jose Torres.
  • Gomez became the first U.S. player to win both an MLS Cup title and Mexican League title as Santos defeated Monterrey in the Liguilla final. Gomez had 19 goals in all competitions for Santos last season.
  • Jermaine Jones leads the U.S. this year in games (7), minutes played (609) and assists (3). He scored his second international goal in the 5-1 victory against Scotland on May 26, heading home the USA’s fifth on the night. Jones helped Schalke 04 to a third-place finish in the German Bundesliga and a spot in this season’s UEFA Champions League.
  • Landon Donovan made his return to the National Team for the first time since September of 2011 when he scored three goals and assisted another during the USA’s win against Scotland on May 26. Donovan has 49 goals and 143 caps following the Guatemala match.
  • MLS contributes the most players of any league, sending 10 to Mexico City: Kyle Beckerman, Steve Beitashour, Matt Besler, Donovan, Alan Gordon, Sean Johnson, Nick Rimando, Brek Shea, Chris Wondolowski and Graham Zusi.
For more roster notes, visit ussoccer.com.

USA VS. MEXICO SERIES

 

  • The era of Jurgen Klinsmann began with the last meeting between the United States and Mexico, a 1-1 draw on Aug. 10, 2011, in Philadelphia
  • This Wednesday marks the first international friendly between the teams on Mexican soil since the U.S. played to a 2-1 loss on Oct. 17, 1984, at Estadio Neza 86. Perry Van Der Beck provided the USA’s lone goal, which also was Van Der Beck’s first international tally.
  • The U.S. has a 15-32-12 all-time record against Mexico in 59 games.
For more series notes, the USA’s history at Estadio Azteca and USA-Mexico connections, visit ussoccer.com.

IN THE RECORD BOOKS

 

  • DaMarcus Beasley, in search of his first cap since Nov. 11, 2011, is tied with Earnie Stewart for seventh all-time in goals (17), ranks eighth in assists (13) and tied for 13th place with Alexi Lalas with 96 appearances.
  • Landon Donovan surpassed Jeff Agoos for the most starts in U.S. history with his 125th during the USA’s 5-1 victory against Scotland on May 26. Donovan currently holds U.S. records in career starts (129), goals (49), assists (48) and points (146). He is second in career appearances (143), trailing only 2011 National Soccer Hall of Fame inductee Cobi Jones (164).
For more records and “by the numbers,” visit ussoccer.com.

 

ON USSOCCER.COM:

 

IN FOCUS: MEXICO

 

  • Federación Mexicana de Fútbol Asociación A.C. (Mexican Football Federation)
  • Founded: 1927 (Joined FIFA in 1929)
  • Head Coach: Jose Manuel De La Torre
  • FIFA Ranking: 18
  • Highest FIFA Ranking: 4 (1998, 2006)
  • Lowest FIFA Ranking: 33 (2009)
  • Best World Cup Finish: Quarterfinals (1970, 1986)
For Mexico roster notes, visit ussoccer.com.
ussoccer.com

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