USMNT to take on rival Mexico in high-pressure Nations League semifinal

[Jahkeele]

PARADISE, Nevada If anyone needed a reminder of the sky-high stakes involved when the U.S. men’s national team meets chief rival Mexico in Thursday night’s CONCACAF Nations League semifinal, listen to under fire El Tri coach Diego has only been at Mexico’s helm since February. But should his team lose Thursday’s game to its top nemesis, it’s possible Cocca could be fired before El Tri faces either Canada or Panama in Sunday’s third-place match.”I know the chair that I sit in, ” Cocca, who has yet to lose in five outings so far with El Tri, told reporters during Wednesday’s pre-match press conference. “I know there are more fans who want me gone than want me to stay.”That’s how important Thursday’s contest is south of the border, and with good reason: Mexico hasn’t beaten the Americans in five tries since their last win in 2019. The foes most recently played to a 1-1 draw in was a friendly, though, and one in which both squads were missing most of their European-based big names are here for this one: Edson lvarez and Guillermo Ochoa for El Tri, Christian Pulisic and new striker Folarin Balogun for the hosts. The chance to play for a trophy is on the line. The atmosphere inside Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, which will be packed mostly by those supporting Mexico, promises to be might not be feeling the same sort of pressure as Cocca; after the CONCACAF Gold Cup ends next month, the 2022 World Cup assistant will step aside for whoever U.S. Soccer names to lead the USMNT for the 2026 event, which will be co-hosted by North American neighbors U.S., Mexico and Canada. But there’s still plenty on the line for the U.S. beyond defending the Nations League the absence of World Cup qualifying matches for those countries over the next three years stern tests like Thursday’s take on an added significance.”As we look down the line to 2026, ” Callaghan said, “Games like this of high intensity, high stakes Alexis Vega Jersey, rivalry-type, knockout-type games these are the moments that we want to prove to ourselves that we can handle.”And both teams have plenty to prove. Mexico is just six months removed from its worst World Cup performance in decades. Pulisic and his 12 teammates who helped the U.S. reach the knockout stage at Qatar 2022 are still kicking themselves for losing to the Netherlands 3-1 in the round of as close to a second chance as they’ll get for a while, at least until next summer’s Copa America, which will also be held stateside. As many as eight starters from that one could be also be in the U.S. lineup wouldn’t say if Balogun will play from the beginning in his first match since FIFA approved his one-time switch from England. But he was effusive when asked about center back Chris Richards, who, with veteran Tim Ream unavailable because of a broken arm, is competing with Miles Robinson and Walker Zimmerman for a spot in the heart of the American backline. Richards missed the World Cup because of an injury.”Chris has had a really good 10 days here, ” Callaghan said. “He brings a sense of calm into the group on the field. He’s really matured from a young player into a player who I think is ready to make the next step and have a big impact for us.”

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