As the U.S. Soccer Federation draws closer to hiring a men’s national team coach, the governing body has lined up what would be the first significant test for the new boss: an Oct. 15 friendly against Mexico in Guadalajara.
Although meetings between the rivals are commonplace — 36 this century and 77 overall — most have taken place in the United States. The primary exceptions have been World Cup qualifiers at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City every four years.
The Americans have not visited Mexico for a friendly since a 1-0 victory in August 2012 and haven’t faced the Mexican team outside the capital city since 1977 (Monterrey).