WCQ Preview: United States vs Mexico – key Stats, H2H, line-ups, prediction

United States forward Gio Reyna
United States forward Gio Reyna - IMAGO / Icon SMI

Mexico will look to take a step closer to World Cup qualification when they travel to Cincinnati to take on USA in the 2022 FIFA Worl Cup qualifiers. 

Venue: TQL Stadium (Cincinnati)

Key Statistics

USA are unbeaten at home soil in the last 13 games (W12, D1).

They have won three of their opening six WCQ games this campaign (D2, L1).

In those six games, they scored nine goals and conceded four.

Mexico are unbeaten in the WCQ this campaign (W4, D2).

They have scored ten goals and have conceded just three times which is the lowest number oof goals conceded in the group. 

Head to head

In the last 10 meetings between the two sides, the USA have won three times while Mexico have four wins. Three matches have ended as draws. 

Latest Performances in all competitions

USA: W-L-W-W-D

Mexico: L-W-W-D-D

United States – USMNT

USA bounced back from their shock loss to Panama in October to win 2-1 against Ecuador last time out.

The win ensured that they remain second in the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers table, three points behind Mexico who are leading the table.

Their chances of qualifying from this group remains in their hands and they will be looking to keep it that way when they host Mexico.

They head into this tie with one loss from fourteen competitive games and with a very strong home record. Their aim in this game will be to defeat their big rivals and take hold of the top spot.

Gregg Berhalter’s men will also hope to avoid defeat in this game as that could see them drop down to fourth place in the table. 

Meanwhile, with Christian Pulisic back from injury, Berhalter has a full-strength squad to select from. 

Possible USA starting line-ups

Matt Turner; Antonee Robinson, Miles Robinson, Walker Zimmerman, Joe Scally; Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, Yunus Musah; Timothy Weah, Ricardo Pepi, Christian Pulisic.

Mexico

Mexico continued their unbeaten start to the WCQ campaign when they defeated El Salvador in the last qualifiers game.

However, they followed up that win with a 3-2 loss to Ecuador in a friendly but will be hoping to correct that blemish when they travel to the US.

El Tri come into this tie with four wins from their last six competitive games (D2). They are leading the table by three points and have pr proven to be a difficult side to break down in this WCQ campaign as proven by their defensive record which has seen them concede just three times and keep three clean sheets. 

Gerardo Martino’s side will be desperate t win this game and so extend their grip of the top spot in this group. 

Possible Mexico starting line-ups

Guillermo Ochoa; Luís Rodríguez, Héctor Moreno, Jesús Gallardo, Jesus Dominguez; Héctor Herrera, Andres Guardardo, Luis Romo; Jesús Corona, Raúl Jiménez, Hirving Lozano.

Prediction

USA 3-1 Mexico