USA will play Mexico in a massive 2018 CONCACAF soccer World Cup Qualifier on Friday night, and both teams will be desperate to get the result tonight. The game has a scheduled start time of 8 p.m. ET and takes place from MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. The game can be watched on TV on the FS1 and Univision networks, or online through live stream via the link below.
Tonight's game should see a packed MAPFRE Stadium, as tens of thousands of American fans hope to see the USA maintain their excellent record against Mexico at this venue.
Mexico have never won against the USA in Columbus, and have lost every game against the United States there 2-0. That amazing run of results should give the US a big boost of confidence coming into the game, but Mexico will be hoping to snap that terrible record in Ohio.
However, the past is the past, and once the whistles blows, the score will be 0-0 and both teams will have 90 minutes to make new history.
Tim Howard has had his injury problems recently, but he has been excellent when he has played this past season. He saved two penalties on Sunday in the MLS Playoffs to help the Colorado Rapids progress to the Western Conference Championships. The USA will hope he remains in that top form and can obtain another shutout in tonight's game against Mexico.
This Mexico team, though, is experienced, and is packed with skilled players that could cause all sorts of problems for America tonight. Only two players in the Mexico squad have less than 10 international caps, and they will believe the experience of their team should ensure the team is not fazed by the occasion or history of this match up at all.
Today's game marks the commencement of the Hexagonal campaign for both teams, and of the six teams remaining in the CONCACAF section of qualifying, only three will progress automatically, with a fourth entering a playoff game to progress.
Both USA and Mexico are realistically expected to progress, but both have sometimes been guilty of making things more difficult than they need to be. Neither side will want to risk finishing fourth and entering the playoff, so both will be vying for a top three spot in the Hexagonal to achieve an automatic qualifying spot.
Prior to this stage of qualifying, Mexico have looked solid, and did not lose a single game in the fourth round of qualifying. The USA, meanwhile, struggled somewhat against Trinidad and Tobago, and Guatemala and will be hoping their form can improve from here on.
Tonight's big game between the USA and Mexico has a scheduled start time of 8 p.m. ET and can be watched on TV on the FS1 and Univision networks, or online through live stream by clicking here.
