Every match is meaningful when the bigwigs of North American soccer
collide.
But never have the stakes been so high as Monday.
A berth in the World Cup quarterfinals – unexplored territory for the
United States in modern times – is for the winner's taking when Mexico
meets Team USA in a round-of-16 match in the ancient South Korean city
of Jeonju.
To make the quarterfinals, coach Bruce Arena's weary bunch will have to
survive a confident Mexico team that finished atop its first-round group
– and that narrowly missed being one of just three teams to finish 3-0
in group play.
The Mexicans are aiming for their third quarterfinal berth but their
first outside of Mexico. (The quarterfinal appearances in 1970 and 1986
were both in tournaments played in Mexico.)
Arena has found himself in the awkward position of defending a group
that survived first-round play, something that half of the tournament's
32 teams didn't do. His team looked immature and unprepared in the
opening five minutes against Poland, giving up two early goals in the
eventual 3-1 loss.
Now, the Yanks, missing two starters, must face Mexico just 53 hours
after the loss to Poland. Mexico had an extra day of rest.
"Physically we're very strong," Mexico coach Javier Aguirre said.
As a result of Friday's loss, the United States needed South Korea's
help to escape the first round. As Team USA was falling to Poland, the
co-hosts were taking down group favorite Portugal, 1-0, to allow for
U.S. passage.
The important thing, Arena says, is that his squad accomplished its
Korea-Japan mission of claiming second-round real estate.
"You are labeling that a failure?" he asked, sparring with reporters
Saturday. "We're moving forward."
But his team progresses without left-side defender Frankie Hejduk and
central defender Jeff Agoos. Agoos, from Richardson, suffered a calf
injury. Hejduk collected his second yellow card of the first round and
must serve a mandatory one-game suspension.
David Regis or John O'Brien are the most likely candidates to replace
Hejduk, arguably the team's best player against Poland. Gregg Berhalter,
Carlos Llamosa or Pablo Mastroeni could replace Agoos in the middle.
"I will sleep fine," said Arena in typical nonchalance. "We'll find two
guys that can volunteer to play in a round of 16 game in a World Cup."
The teams have been bitter North American rivals. But for this one, they
have exchanged nothing but warm fuzzies. Mexico forward Cuauhtemoc
Blanco wonders why his team is favored when the United States has won
four of the teams' last five meetings.
"I think the United States have grown a lot, and they have some very
quick players," he said. "However, we're confident we can make it to the
next round."
Arena's team, expecting the Mexicans to attack aggressively, may revert
to the counterattacking formation and mind-set that worked so well
against Portugal. That could mean some midfield tinkering and a start
once again at forward for Landon Donovan
Donovan has started in three different positions at Korea-Japan 2002.
Arena is mum on how he might use the 20-year-old, who scored the team's
only goal against Poland.
"He is very fit and he can play in a number of positions, and he
understands his responsibilities," Arena said.
