The U.S. attack has more ways to unsettle Mexico than its recent scorelines alone show. Pochettino changed much of the team between the Peru and Chile matches, yet goals still came through wide play, crosses and set pieces. Mexico has spent long spells on the ball under Rafael Márquez without consistently finding its central forward. That contrast is what draws me to this matchup.
The U.S. scored four against Peru and four against Chile with different players making the key connections. Julian Hall finished crosses in both matches, while Sebastian Berhalter supplied a corner for Chris Richards against Chile. Those are useful routes for a side playing without Ricardo Pepi, whose withdrawal from the squad was confirmed by U.S. Soccer.
Mexico's draw with Peru showed the other side of the matchup. It had 64% possession but nine shots, three on target, and its central striker struggled to receive clean service even after substitutions. Márquez has stressed competition and is still shaping the group, but the U.S. has already shown it can turn varied attacking moves into goals with this squad.
