The U.S. has played Mexico four times in Columbus’ cozy Mapfre Stadium since 2001 and not only have the Americans never lost there, they haven’t even given up a goal, winning all four games by identical 2-0 scores.
So earlier this week U.S. Coach Juergen Klinsmann invited three players from that first team to address the current national team, which opens the final round of World Cup qualifying against Mexico here Friday (TV: FS1, Univision, 4:45 p.m. PDT).
“This is a special venue for us, especially when we play Mexico,” Klinsmann said Thursday. “It’s important that our older players connect with the younger players and tell them what it means.