The U.S. Men’s National Team takes on Mexico on Friday night in New Jersey in the 70th installment of their classic rivalry.
El Tri defeated the Americans in the Gold Cup final in July, and two months later the two teams will look different than the sides that faced off in Chicago. Tata Martino has more star power on his roster this time around, but could choose to deploy a second-choice lineup against the USMNT, with an eye toward using a stronger lineup against Argentina on Tuesday.
The United States will have at least one new face in the lineup in newcomer Sergino Dest, who Gregg Berhalter confirmed will start against Mexico.
SBI will be providing in-depth coverage of the USMNT-Mexico match so be sure to check in here and on the SBI YouTube channel for news and analysis of Friday’s action.
As we move closer to tonight’s kickoff (around 9pm ET), be sure to check in here for starting lineups, and also to share your prematch thoughts in the comments section below.
Here is a closer look at all of SBI’s written and video coverage ahead of Friday’s USA-Mexico showdown:
SBI ARTICLES
Who Should Start for the USMNT vs. Mexico? (READ)
Christian Pulisic is enjoying life at Chelsea, and is poised to play a new role for the USMNT. (READ)
Young USMNT forward Josh Sargent has his confidence back as he now aims for a starting role. (READ)
Zack Steffen is continuing his progression with the USMNT as he also begins a new chapter at club level. (READ)
Sergino Dest confirmed that the Dutch Federation contacted him about playing for the Dutch U-23s, and said he is keeping his national team options open (READ)
Three years since his last senior call-up, midfielder Alfredo Morales is eager to make an impact in his USMNT return. (READ)
Josh Sargent and Gyasi Zardes are battling for the starting striker role for the USMNT. (READ)
Christian Pulisic and John Brooks are among a group of USMNT players who will reportedly leave camp after Friday’s friendly, meaning they won’t face Uruguay on Tuesday in St. Louis. (READ)
Question of the Day: Which young USMNT newcomer would you like to see start vs. Mexico? (READ)
Gregg Berhalter confirmed that Tim Weah has a ‘bad hamstring tear’, the injury that caused Weah to miss the September USMNT friendlies. (READ)
Major League Soccer needs to start respecting FIFA windows for the USMNT’s sake. (READ)
Darlington Nagbe reportedly turned down a USMNT call-up for the September friendlies, which some believe should signal the end of his national team career. (READ)
SBI VIDEOS
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4lgm-rOehs]
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcQwfOZxQik]
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtOSiCNbg3U]
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1QFJ1KUlEw]
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVXzPcN4kyo]
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9o5CqlOSMfE]
Booboo Trapp is starting 8:46 pm
Anyone else mildly infuriated by the USSF’s little “hide the kickoff time” game that they enjoy so much. Even espn (who isn’t airing the game)is listing the kickoff time as 830 ET…. yet here we are 30 mins from kickoff at 835. And now I get to listen Lalas for a half hour. Anybody know a good bar at SeaTac? The one I’m in sucks
Will Trapp is the new Michael Bradley of the USMNT…..hahahaha?, no skill, no talent, blocks better players from starting and brings down the overall soccer potential of the team……hahahaha?? this is going to be fun!!!!!! LET”S GO USA!!!!!
Maybe this time Berhalter will realize that Gyasi and Will need to move down the list….
Anyone know the formation and starting XI? It is 7:45 EST
The U.S. Soccer official site has it listed as a very unlikely 4-4-2 with Boyd up to with Zardes and McKennie on the right side of a 4-man midfield. It looks to me like it’ll line up more or less like this:
————————Steffen————————
Cannon—–Zimmerman–Long———–Dest
—McKennie——–Trapp———Morales——
—–Boyd———–Zardes————Pulisic—–