The seventh matchday of the CONCACAF final qualifying round will witness a 'superclasico' when Mexico travel to Ohio to meet the United States. In what is always a contentious affair, the automatic finals berth up for grabs is bound to add even more spice to the stew.
Stamp their ticket
The winner of the second FIFA World Cup qualifying clash between the region's two powerhouses will definitively stamp their ticket for next summer's finals with three matches still to go. The first-placed Mexicans can take comfort from their 2-1 win at the Azteca back in March as well as the form of goal king Jared Borgetti, whose strike in the recent win over Costa Rica made him Mexico's all-time top scorer as well as the best marksman in Germany 2006 qualifying worldwide.
The USA, though, will welcome 21-year-old phenom Eddie Johnson back to the fold as they try to keep up their undefeated home record against Mexico in qualifying that stretches back to 1972. His eight goals in just eight appearances have him looking like a regional scoring threat to rival even the great Borgetti and he will be keen to cap his comeback with another goal.
With requisite bragging rights on the line and Mexico looking to avenge the still-stinging 2-0 loss to their great rivals at the round of sixteen in Korea/Japan 2002, they will surely give their hosts a run for their money at Crew Stadium – where the US have never lost. "It's a big qualifier, that's for sure," remarked US striker Brian McBride, who scored the lone goal in last month's win over Trinidad and Tobago. "And of course it's a little more special with the big rivalry between the two teams."
His team-mate Landon Donovan – who disappointed in the first meeting at the Azteca – decided to step up and throw down the gauntlet, claiming: "At this point we (USA) must be considered the top team in the region." The result of Saturday's clash will go some way to settling this seemingly endless debate.
Guatemala eye third, first finals
Guatemala are tied for third place (on seven points) with heated UNCACF rivals Costa Rica. The two sides are scheduled to meet on the region's final matchday and it could prove a stormy contest for the final automatic qualifying spot.
For coach Ramon Maradiaga, a debut for Guatemala at the global showpiece in Germany is the true measure of success, making the weekend tilt with wounded Trinidad and Tobago a crucial test. "Trinidad are our direct rivals in the finals qualifying race," he said. "The others are Costa Rica and Panama. We must forget about the United States (15 points) and Mexico (16) as they are well out of our reach."
After having to cancel a recent preparatory friendly with Jamaica due to visa troubles, 'El Primitivo' (as the Honduran-born Maradiaga is known) may not be as prepared as he would have hoped. But even still, coming off a courageous win over Panama and with the region's third top-scorer in Carlos Ruiz in fine fettle in front of goal, the Central Americans will be considered hot favourites on the road against Leo Beenhakker's out-of-tune Soca Warriors.
They may not have as easy a time as their 5-1 win at home in March, however, as 37-year-old midfield talisman Russel Lattapy has rejoined the T&T fold. The Falkirk-based 'Little Magician' is expected to start in midfield with the express purpose of getting the ball to his old mate Dwight Yorke up front.
Goalkeeper Kelvin Jack, who frustrated the USA in a losing effort in their last match and has emerged as one of the best keepers in the region, is feeling confident despite T&T's paltry points tally of four from six matches. "I think we have an excellent chance still," he said. "With hard work and persistence, we shall make it."
Ticos face tough road test
The third of the region's weekend meetings pits basement-dwellers Panama against Costa Rica at home at the Estadio Rommel Fernandez in Panama City.
The match will be the first time the Panamanians have played at home since sparking off massive interest and affection with a run to the final of July's CONCACAF Gold Cup. But they will have no easy day against third-placed Costa Rica, especially with the fresh memory of blowing a one-goal lead in last month's loss in Guatemala in a match that would have pulled them off the bottom of the 'hexagonal' and into contention for a spot in Germany.
Alexandre Guimaraes' Ticos side will also be hoping to get things right following a demoralising – though somewhat expected – 2-0 defeat by Mexico at the Azteca last time out. Running neck and neck with Guatemala for the third automatic spot, three points on the road would go a long way to settling nerves as the Costa Ricans eye a second consecutive berth at the finals.
The CONCACAF combatants will have hardly a moment's peace as they get going again four days later on 7 September. Mexico host Panama as T&T travel to Costa Rica and Guatemala welcome the USA.
by FIFAworldcup.com
