There will be no winter showdown between the U.S. Men’s National Team and Mexico in World Cup qualifying next year, but they will be meeting soon enough.
The U.S. will take on Mexico on March 26th Mexico, and on Sept. 10th in the United States in the Hexagonal Round of World Cup qualifying.
CONCACAF held the draw on Wednesday and revealed that the U.S. will travel to Honduras for their opening match, on Feb. 6th, and close out qualifying in October with a trip to Panama.
Here is the full USMNT World Cup Qualifying Schedule:
Feb. 6th- at Honduras
March 22nd- vs. Costa Rica
March 26th- at Mexico
June 7th- at Jamaica
June 11th- vs. Panama
June 18th- vs. Honduras
Sept. 6th- at Costa Rica
Sept. 10th- vs. Mexico
Oct. 11th- vs. Jamaica
Oct. 15th- at Panama
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Here are some thoughts on the draw:
Opening at Honduras is a tough one and could lead to the scrapping of the regular early January training camp. Having three road games out of the first four is a tough start, but getting through that with six or more points would bode well for a good finish.
The U.S. finishes with four of six home games to end things. That’s favorable, but the U.S. won’t want to have to head to Panama needing a result in the finale.
The Mexico dates aren’t bad for the U.S. The March 26th date means the U.S. will have European players in mid-season form and MLS players already into their season. The Sept. 10th home date doesn’t offer up the weather factor of past USA-Mexico home games, but it should be noted the United States beat Mexico in September of 2005 in Hexagonal qualifying.
The tricky part for that trip to Mexico will be that it comes just four days after the U.S. plays Costa Rica at home. The Americans could be tired from a tough game against the Costa Ricans.
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