The United States and Mexico both will want to earn a ticket to the Confederations Cup but will enter in strange situations, writes Jon Arnold.
After CONCACAF moved the date of its Confederations Cup playoff between the United States and Mexico from Friday, Oct. 9 to the next day, it took on even more of a big-time feel. This is no weekend-starter. It's the main event.
The Rose Bowl, used to being center stage on fall Saturdays, will be filled not with college football fans and marching bands but with soccer fans hoping their team will win regional supremacy and a slot in Russia.