The United States - Mexico rivalry will be renewing unpleasentries and thriving in intensity with about 55,000 or more reported to be attending the match between them this Wednesday. However, the match does not take place in an official FIFA international break, due to the CONCACAF (MLS and LIGA MX more specifically) having most players in these leagues, along with the flexibility of the season's schedule compared to UEFA season system.
Post-World Cup form:
The USA are current Gold Cup champions, but have entered the post-FIFA World Cup period where manager Jurgenn Klinsmann has been testing various youngsters in different formations and positions. Even though the USA are 12-5-5 against El Tri since 2000, Mexico has turned on the jets after the FIFA World Cup. Currently sitting on a 6-1-1 post-World Cup record, El Tri has had a significant win against the Netherlands (nation that knocked them out of FIFA World Cup) and a significant defeat to Belarus on November 18th, 2014. On the other hand, the United States have been arguably terrible since the FIFA World Cup, repeatedly allowing goals in the second half of matches and mediocre defending (outscored 15-12 overall in competition).
Rosters:
USA
Due to the friendly not being during a official international break, most European based players were not selected by the seperate soccer federations. Jozy Altidore will not feature because of suspension while Clint Dempsey also will not be present.
Goalkeepers: Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake), William Yarbrough (Club Leon)
Defenders: Ventura Alvarado (Club America), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders FC), Greg Garza (Club Tijuana), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Brek Shea (Orlando City SC), DeAndre Yedlin (Tottenham Hotspur)
Midfielders: Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana), Mix Diskerud (New York City FC), Miguel Ibarra (Minnesota United FC), Lee Nguyen (New England Revolution), Perry Kitchen (D.C. United)
Forwards: Juan Agudelo (New England Revolution), Julian Green (Hamburg), Jordan Morris (Stanford University), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes), Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy)
William Yarbough and Ventura Alvarado (both players in Liga MX that are available to also play for Mexican National Team) have also been selected for these trial-like friendlies. Juan Agudelo has also returned; he last made an appearance for only five minutes against Ukraine in March 2014.
Mexico
Goalkeepers: Jonathan Orozco (Monterrey), Cirilo Saucedo (Club Tijuana)
Defenders: Oswaldo Alanis (Santos Laguna), George Corral (Queretaro), Francisco “Maza” Rodriguez (Cruz Azul), Julio Cesar Dominguez (Cruz Azul), Gerardo Flores (Cruz Azul), Hiram Mier (Monterrey), Luis Rodríguez (Chiapas), Carlos Salcedo (Chivas), Efrain Velarde (Monterrey)
Midfielders: Adrian Aldrete (Santos Laguna), Luis Montes (Leon), Mario Osuna (Queretaro), Antonio Rios (Toluca)
Forwards: Marco Bueno (Toluca), Carlos Esquivel (Toluca), Eduardo Herrera (Pumas), Erick Torres (Chivas)
Key players like Carlos Vela, Giovani Dos Santos, and Javier Hernandez were not called-up.
Eric Torres, famous in the MLS and former Chivas USA player (now under contract by Houston Dynamo and loaned to Chivas de Guadalajara) has been named to squad and is familiar with many MLS players.
Prediction:
Likely the favorites for the Gold Cup, excluding Costa Rica, many players have much to prove to attempt to make their respective countries rosters that will definetely be entirely different come Gold Cup roster selection deadline day. With the list of players, form of national teams, and Mexican superiority in most MLS - Liga MX games, this writer suspects a 2-1 win by Mexico.