if anyone is interested here is my writeup for the match...prices have moved into the -115 range which is still fine. if anyone wants to email me at 6pm i can give you a very accurate weather update as I'll be at the stadium ctames2 at hotmail dot com then you can post it to this thread. up to you...will have my crackberry on me
USA v Mexico
- bookies still looking at Mexico on same level, or higher, than USA when the truth is the gap is widening every day. To say the USA dominates Mexico would be an understatement and really Mexico's only prayer to win is to play in the horrible smog and altitude of Mexico city, which is why they will never choose Guadalajara or Monterrey as a site for a qualifier vs USA. The USA have not lost to Mexico at home since 1999 and are 9-1-2 against Mexico this decade, with the only two losses being 1-goal defeats in Azteca. At home the USA is 8-1-0 15/1 in the past 10 years and they are putting out better talent than Mexico tomorrow night. USA have only one injury worry, Steve Chernundolo, but his replacement is a veteran, Frankie Heyduk, and this match will be held in Heyduk's home stadium in Columbus, OH. The Mexicans have some squad issues for sure...top playmaker, Gauardado is injured along with Magallon while Arce, Vela, and Torrado are suspended after their last match with Honduras. Aside from Marquez, the europeans brought into the Mexican selection get nearly no playing time at their clubs...Dos Santos (Tottenham), Castillo (Shaktar), Franco (villareal), Bravo (la Coruna) so cannot be really match fit. Also, Pavel Pardo hurt his foot against Morelia and will be a gametime decision.
In the past a match in February would have been a huge advantage for Mexico but not anymore as almost all US players selected play abroad. Temperatures will be unseasonably warm though rain is in the forecast. The US Soccer Federation did a great job (well, I think so anyway) in keeping tickets in the hands of American fans plus selecting a very small venue (seats 22,500) so that they have a possibility of actually having the majority of the crowd.
USA 3u +105
Projected U.S. Lineup
-------------------- Howard ------------------
Hedjuk -- Onyewu-- Bocanegra -- Pearce
---------- Kljestan ---------- Bradley -------
Dempsey ------- Donovan -------- Beasley
------------------- Ching ---------------------
Projected Mexico Lineup
---------------- Sanchez -------------------
Osorio -- Galindo -- Marquez -- Salcido
---- Naelson -- Pardo -- Perez -- Augosto ----
----------- Vuoso -- Castillo -------------
