Mexico released its roster on Thursday ahead of the match against the United States and the final World Cup qualifiers.
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Injuries for Mexico as well.
Our C team beat them in the GC with most of their A team. It's not impossible with their injuries and reduced crowd size, but we'll need a huge performance from someone.
I feel okay with our defense. Horvath has been in solid form recently at Forest and Steffen is outstanding if healthy. His inclusion indicates he must be. If Dest is out our defensive ability probably improves on the right side with Cannon or Yedlin, but we're less potent offensively. Center back is going to be solid with 3 guys there I really trust and ARob will lock down the left side. With Adams in front of them I could see us keeping them scoreless.
The problem is that I can see them keeping us scoreless also. Musah will need to dominate the center of the park. I hope de la Torre gets the nod to replace McKennie bc that's not Acosta's role. I don't expect to see a full 90 from Gio, but maybe a solid 30+ minutes from him in all 3 matches.
I have a feeling our goals are going to have to come from the wings bc I'm not sure which striker is going to threaten their D. Pulisic is in solid form right now and Gio is rounding into form. Maybe an ARob strike breaks through from distance or an incisive run from CP10, Aaronson, or Gio from the wings can create the goal we'll need. But maybe Pepi in that venue gets the motivation he needs to get back in the groove. That would be special.
I feel like a draw at Azteca is as good as a win and should give us enough to get through the window and qualify. A win guarantees it, but a draw is pretty damn close.
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