COMMERCE CITY, COLO. — In 10 days of training camp, the players and coaches of the U.S. men’s national soccer team have worked on high-altitude conditioning, attacking rhythm and defensive coordination.
They’ve also had to master another discipline: compartmentalizing.
On Sunday, the Americans will rekindle one of the sport’s great rivalries by playing Mexico in a rabidly anticipated, politically charged World Cup qualifier in the mad house of Azteca Stadium.
Until they’ve completed a more immediate task, however, they can’t afford to turn full attention to their longtime nemesis.
Before leaving the snow-capped Rockies for the thin air of Mexico City, the Americans must apply all their energy and thought into defeating Trinidad and Tobago on Thursday at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in this Denver suburb.