{"id":2101,"date":"2016-11-10T13:36:54","date_gmt":"2016-11-10T18:36:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsoccer.com\/?p=2101"},"modified":"2016-11-10T13:38:10","modified_gmt":"2016-11-10T18:38:10","slug":"us-mexico-wcq-match-preview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/2016\/11\/10\/us-mexico-wcq-match-preview\/","title":{"rendered":"USA vs. Mexico: WCQ Match Preview"},"content":{"rendered":"

Columbus, OH<\/strong>– Folks, it\u2019s time. Or as Kevin Hart<\/strong> would say, \u201cIt\u2019s about to go down.\u201d USA vs. Mexico<\/strong> is finally here. It\u2019s in Columbus, or \u201cDos A Cero<\/strong>\u201d town. Ok that\u2019s not a real thing either. Really, we shouldn\u2019t have to hype you up for this. We know what\u2019s at stake. Pride, and a great first step in qualifying for the 2018 World Cup<\/strong>. There are many storylines to this game, none of which should be political. Maybe a nice fresh breathe of the crisp Columbus air will unite our currently divided country. But it\u2019s time to give you our \u201cwhat to watch for\u201d and some match predictions. <\/span><\/p>\n

USA vs. Mexico: WCQ Match Preview<\/span><\/h1>\n

What to Watch For<\/span><\/h2>\n

The Temperature<\/span><\/h3>\n

Recently, one of our writers wrote a piece about how Mexico shouldn\u2019t be too affected by the cold<\/a>, as they have been in years past. Still, it\u2019s absolutely miserable to play soccer in that type of weather. I\u2019ve done it enough. It\u2019s sometimes painful. However, he\u2019s right. Mexico most likely won\u2019t be too affected by the cold tomorrow night. However, the actual temperature of the game is what they need to watch for. With such a passionate rivalry, world cup qualifying at stakes, and the addition of the current political climate, it\u2019s sure to be an intense match. Both sides will need to control their tempers, and allow their emotion behind the match to fuel their play, not anger.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Midfield<\/span><\/h3>\n

To quell the Mexican attack, the U.S must not sit back, they need to press them. Mexico is at their best when given time on the ball. They have a pretty technical group in the midfield, and giving them the least amount of time to create and make decisions will help the U.S. win the Midfield battle. Frankly, whoever ends up winning that battle in the midfield, will probably win the match. <\/span><\/p>\n

All Eyes on Pulisic<\/span><\/h3>\n

Christian Pulisic<\/strong> will be the center of attention for the US and rightfully so. The 18 year old star commands the spotlight with his play, not with his mouth. He\u2019s done so at Borussia Dortmund<\/strong>, winning the regular spot as a right winger. For the US, he might be on the left, but he\u2019ll be on full display no matter where he plays. We\u2019ll get to the lineup in a minute, but this is Pulisic\u2019s biggest test as a USMNT player yet. If he steals the show tomorrow night, you can quell the bust talks. He\u2019s for real. <\/span><\/p>\n

Lineup<\/span><\/h3>\n

I would expect to see something extremely similar to what they used in the WCQ match against Trinidad and Tobago. I\u2019ll go with this:<\/span><\/p>\n