The biggest rivalry in North American international soccer reignites with Mexico hosting the USMNT in a friendly match at the Estadio Akron in Guadalajara. It'll be the first match between the two nations on Mexican soil since the 0–0 draw in the 2022 World Cup Qualifier match at the Estadio Azteca in March of that year.
Mexico is coming off a disappointing 2–2 draw with Valencia on Saturday night. Javier Aguirre used his "B" squad and El Tri struggled against a team filled with young players that rarely feature in Valencia's La Liga side.
Criticism has been loud in the aftermath of the game. The pressure continues to mount on a team that was booed off the field on Saturday and can't seem to find answers to the issues that have plagued it for years now. Only three games into his tenure and Aguirre is already in the eye of the storm with questions about his team's uninspiring playing style.
Aguirre mentioned he wanted to see as many players as possible during this international break. If he remains true to his promise then we should see what on paper looks like Mexico's strongest XI. Whether that XI is good enough to defeat a USMNT without some of its biggest names will be very telling.
Here's how Mexico might lineup against the USMNT.
