The second leg of World Cup Qualifying between the United States and Mexico kicks off today, Wednesday August 12, at Estadio Azteca in Mexico. The USA won their first meeting in February 2-0, but the Mexicans rebounded with a devastating 5-0 win during the Gold Cup Final. World Cup qualifying oddsmakers at BetUS.com have Mexico as -125 moneyline favorites over USA (+300) with the over/under listed at 2.5 goals. Be sure to get your 2010 World Cup Qualifying: USA vs Mexico Odds & Prediction in now at BetUS.com
USA are still riding the high of their Confederation Cup showing. Count their achievements of beating the African champion of Egypt, Spain (ranked No. 1 in the world by FIFA at the time), and pushing Brazil to the brink in the Final. Landon Donovan, the United States’ MVP of the Confederations Cup, has not shown any lack of form since returning to MLS. His most recent goal cements the fact that Donovan is playing with the most confidence and ability in his career. USA currently sits in second place, in the N/C American & Caribbean League Group, with a 3W-1D-1L record where they have 10 goals for and six goals allowed. The American side have NEVER won on Mexican soil, their best finish was a goalless draw in a 1997 FIFA World Cup qualifier. Their most recent loss to Mexico was against a young USA side that didn't include stars such as Landon Donovan. On Wednesday USA Coach Bob Bradley will field a full-strength team as the Americans vie for a first-ever victory over Mexico at Azteca. Coach Bradley has recalled a number of players who skipped the Gold Cup, including defender Oguchi Onyewu of AC Milan, Fulham midfielder Clint Dempsey, Hull City's Jozy Altidore and the Los Angeles Galaxy's Donovan.
Mexico received a massive morale boost heading into the match with a 5-0 victory over the United States in the CONCACAF Gold Cup final on 26 July. Mexico has the advantage with the altitude, poor air quality and fiercely partisan crowd of 100,000 all play a role. They’ll use all of the outside influences to their advantage. Mexico head into the match lying in fourth place in the six-nation final group, they are 2W-0D-3L with three goals for and six goals allowed. Mexico coach Javier Aguirre's squad includes his Gold Cup champions along with defender Carlos Salcido (PSV Eindhoven), Andres Guardado (Deportivo La Coruna) and veteran Cuauhtemoc Blanco (Chicago Fire). Aguirre replaced Sven Goran Eriksson in April and after a defeat at El Salvador saw his side down Trinidad and Tobago in FIFA World Cup qualifying on 10 June. Despite Mexico's struggles in this qualifying campaign, Aguirre insists his side have what it takes. "It's not a dark scenario," he said. "Why the heck were we going to be out of the World Cup? They have to give us a chance. If there was one game left and we had to win and have two rivals lose, then I would say it was tough. But things are different. Things have improved."
World Cup Qualifying: USA vs Mexico
When: Wed, August 12, 2009 3:00 PM ET
Line: BetUS.com
Pick: USA +300
Point-Spreads.com World Cup Qualifying: USA vs Mexico
The Bottom Line: Mexico will be tough to beat on home soil, but this is the American side that beat Spain recently. Go USA! Be sure to get your World Cup Qualifying: USA vs Mexico Prediction in now at BetUS.com and receive up to 145% in Cash Bonuses and start winning today!
