With the U.S. men’s national team and Mexico both closing in on berths at the 2022 World Cup, their qualifying matchup at Estadio Azteca is laced with even more intensity than usual.
The two border rivals meet in Mexico City on Thursday night, with both looking to take definitive steps toward Qatar. There are paths—longshot paths as they may be—for both sides to punch their tickets on the night, but either way, both are looking to get the upper hand in a race that has come down to the final window.
The U.S. enters on the heels of three consecutive wins over Mexico, with all three coming in a five-month span in different competitions.