CINCINNATI — Because of the stakes, because of the rivalry and because of what’s sure to be a uniquely partisan home-field advantage, Friday’s World Cup qualifier between the U.S. men’s national team and Mexico here is one that fans will have “put down on their calendar,” U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter said.
“They can’t wait for it,” he claimed.
The schedule was unveiled last December and U.S. Soccer chose FC Cincinnati’s 26,000-seat TQL Stadium back in July. There’s been ample time for hype and anticipation. But that’s mostly for fans and media. It doesn’t help the coaches. Despite the lengthy runway, forming a team is almost always a last-minute production, and imagining an ideal starting 11 is folly.