World Cup tune-up bid spices US-Mexico match
29 July 2015 AFP, Washington
Mexico's Gold Cup triumph will not be complete without a victory over the United States in an October playoff for a 2017 Confederations Cup berth, Mexico manager Miguel Herrera says.
And US coach Jurgen Klinsmann, whose players settled for a fourth-place showing in their Gold Cup defense, knows that a major goal remains within reach despite a humbling loss to Jamaica and penalty shoot-out defeat by Panama in the Gold Cup.
The arch-rivals will meet October 9 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena to see whether the 2013 or 2015 Gold Cup winner represents the North American region at the eight-team World Cup warm-up event in Russia.
"We've got to get ready for that game the best we can," Herrera said. "It's not mission accomplished because we still have one more game. We want to go to the Confederations Cup. We know the United States is going to very determined.
"There was a great satisfaction in getting our goal at this tournament. Now we must go on to the Confederations Cup."
While the US squad has the home soil edge, typical crowds at the 90,000-seat venue for US-Mexico clashes have shown stronger support for Mexico. And El Tricolores own a 33-18 with 14 draws edge in the all-time rivalry.
"The US, we have the obligation to look carefully. It's going to be a very difficult game," Herrera said. "We have to go for the October match. We can't just be nice and quiet. It's a very important match. And in November, we start World Cup qualifying."
The Americans already have friendlies set for September against Brazil and Peru.
