Mexico enters the CONCACAF Cup knowing that they are just 90 minutes away from qualifying to the 2017 Confederations Cup in Russia. All that stands in their way is their bitter rivals, the United States at the Rose Bowl on Saturday.

El Tri will also be closing shop on the term of interim coach Ricardo “Tuca” Ferretti. On Wednesday, former Sao Paulo FC head coach Juan Carlos Osorio confirmed the rumors that he will be El Tri’s next manager. Even though this came as no surprise to the public since Ferretti never wanted the full-time job. He only took the interim job as a “favor” to the Mexican Federation. However, that being said Tuca has the prime opportunity to defeat the USMNT at the Rose Bowl again, and also give U.S. head coach Jurgen Klinsmann his first lost to El Tri as a player and a coach.

The only problem is that before the single elimination playoff match starts, Ferretti has had to deal with a few injuries. Giovani Dos Santos, Carlos Pena and now Juan “Gallito” Vazquez are the players for El Tri that have been ruled out of the CONCACAF Cup due to injuries. Tuca has called in two replacements for the three: Javier Güémez and Elias Hernandez.

Late in September the coach had a huge scare when Captain Andrés Guardado and Rafael Márquez were nearly ruled out due to injury. However, the two have recovered quickly and are expected to play against the United States on Saturday. Regardless of all the injuries, Ferretti still has to find a way to get the victory.

Ferretti will have to complete a task that Luis Fernando Tena and Miguel Herrera couldn't do. In fact the last time El Tri defeated the USMNT was in the 2011 Gold Cup Final. The head coach for Mexico at the time was José Manuel de la Torre; he guided his El Tri to a 4-2 comeback victory at the Rose Bowl. After that match, Klinsmann took over shortly and Mexico has not tasted victory against their rivals in six games. Under the German native, the USMNT finally earned a victory in the house of horror for the U.S., the Estadio Azteca. The record in the last five years against the United States has been 3-3-0 (win-tie-loss) and they been outscored eight to three.

However, just like Mexico, the United States enter this match in bad momentum and need a victory to change the tide. Klinsmann has always been a controversial figure among the press and the U.S. fans, but at the moment it safe to say this is his lowest point in his tenure as the head coach. With so much pressure on the United States, this presents a golden opportunity for Mexico to strike the Americans and get their first victory since 2011.

The way for Ferretti to end the longest dry spell against the U.S. is through the creativity and pace of the midfield. Guardado, Héctor Herrera, Jonathan Dos Santos, Jesús Corona and Javier Aquino are the five midfielders that bring different aspects to the game. They might not be able to knock you off your feet through strength, however with the ball they can make any defender doubt their next step.

However, their main task is to not to dribble through the USMNT midfield and defense, but force the Americans to open up through their passing. By keeping possession, the United States will have to play more aggressively on defense. That can result in fouls or open space for one of their forwards to punish the U.S. Not to mention keeping the ball will result in having USMNT’s forward Clint Dempsey to come back to get the ball, which will slow down the American attack and potentially suffocate.

If El Tri’s midfield is able to keep the ball, it will tire out the American defense and give their forwards time to create and finish. Whether Tuca starts Javier Hernández, Raúl Jiménez, Carlos Vela or Oribe Peralta, their one goal is to penetrate the defense and test American goalie Brad Guzan. The United States defense has shown before that consistent pressure can make them fold and give up multiple goals; the most recent example was the 4-1 home defeat against Brazil on September 8th.

El Tri just simply has to score and keep their lead intact. In their last six games, they have tied three of those matches because they have failed to hold on to a lead. Twice Mexico was not able to secure a lead against Trinidad & Tobago. The first time was a thrilling 4-4 draw in the 2015 Gold Cup in July. Recently in September, they faced the Soca Warriors again in a friendly at Sandy, Utah and the final score line was 3-3. If El Tri captures the lead their defense will need to be steady and fast to help secure the victory.   

Prediction: Mexico 3-0 USA

The United States will start the match slow and Mexico will fly out of the gates and pounce on them and never let go.

At the end of the day, El Tri cannot be surprised by anything Klinsmann puts on the field on Saturday. These are two foes that have faced each other 35 times, there are no secrets anymore. That formula will produce a very physical, fast and passionate match on Saturday.