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The United States of America will likely have their Gold Cup final defeat at the back of their minds when they walk out onto State Farm Stadium in Arizona for their friendly date with Mexico on October 4.
Since then, the Stars and Stripes have come a long way under the guidance of experienced head coach Mauricio Pochettino, despite bowing out of their home World Cup in the Round-of-16.
There has been a changing of the guard for Mexico, with Javier Aguirre stepping down as the head coach after England knocked them out at the same stage of the competition, with Rafael Marquez now the man at the helm.
Describing this match as a friendly is a disservice, as these teams are rivals, and given their proximity to each other, this upcoming clash looks set to be a fiery affair.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
USA vs Mexico key stats
- The USA have won both their friendly fixtures during this international break.
- Mexico are on a run of three games in all competitions without a win.
- Sebastian Berhalter has scored twice and assisted two goals in his last two matches.
USA vs Mexico preview: Revenge for Gold Cup defeat
| USA | vs | Mexico |
|---|---|---|
| 16th | FIFA Ranking | 10th |
| Antonee Robinson, Tyler Adams (60) | Most Caps | Jesus Gallardo (127) |
| Giovanni Reyna (10) | Most Goals | Hirving Lozano (18) |
| 484 | Total Caps | 835 |
| 46 | Total Goals | 69 |
| 1 | Uncapped Players | 5 |
Mauricio Pochettino made it clear that he was going to experiment with younger players during this international break, leaving out some veterans like Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie and Folarin Balogun.
Eight of the 28 players in the current squad are aged 21 or younger and are with the USMNT for the first time in their careers, and it seems that the decision has paid off for the Stars and Stripes.
Their two friendlies against Peru and Chile finished with victory for the home side, with Pochettino's troops scoring four goals in each game, encouraging signs for a team that is being heavily rotated.
The hosts have become accustomed to matches that produce a goal feast, as since their opening World Cup game against Paraguay to now, the USA's games have seen 30 goals go in, averaging 3.75 goals per match.
The Yankees have won five of their previous seven matches, with their only defeats coming against Belgium and Turkiye, proving that they are developing into a more difficult team to beat.
The previous five head-to-heads produced two wins apiece for either side, highlighting just how difficult this match and rivalry is.
Mexico will be proud of their display at the World Cup as co-hosts, as they romped through the group stage, winning each of their matches on their way to the Round-of-32, where they clinically swept Ecuador aside before setting up a date with England.
El Tri gave the Three Lions a tough game and never gave up, despite going down 2-0 before the 40-minute mark, they pushed to get back into the game, but were ultimately knocked out with the match finishing 3-2.
New boss Marquez should be slightly concerned that his team could not get over the line in any of their two friendly matches, especially because they conceded first in both games and scored an equaliser, but still they could not find a way to use that momentum to get in front.
While they are on a three-game winless run, you cannot ignore their streak of seven victories on the bounce before that, something Marquez will remind his troops about before they walk out onto the pitch at State Farm Stadium.
The visitors should be confident of hurting their oppponents this weekend, considering the fact that they won the most recent two clashes between the nations.
USA vs Mexico form guide & betting tips
| USA | vs | Mexico |
|---|---|---|
LWLWW |
Form | WWLDD |
| 13 | Goals For | 9 |
| 10 | Goals Against | 5 |
LWW |
Friendly form | WDD |
Whispers predicts: USA 2-1 Mexico
It feels as if Pochettino's team are finally playing according to his vision for the team, and being at home makes them favourites to win here, so backing them at 2.19 odds seems like an opportunity to capitalise on.
The one aspect that the USA need correcting is their defence, as they have conceded 10 goals in their recent five matches, which opens the door for the Mexican side to get some joy too in Arizona, making the BTTS – Yes at 1.73 odds an appropriate pick.
The hosts have put together a unique run of scoring the first goal, something they have accomplished in four of the last five matches, with the only outlier being their defeat to Belgium, in which they still managed to score in the first half, suggesting that the home side will score the first at at 1.84 odds.
> Both teams to score – Yes at 1.73 | Likelihood: High
> 1×2 – USA at 2.19 | Likelihood: Medium
> USA first to score at 1.84 | Likelihood: High
> Totals – Over 2.5 goals at 1.90 | Likelihood: Medium