PREVIEW: Americans hunt for Easter prize in Mexico

HOLIDAY CLASH. The last time the USA got a result in Azteca Stadium
against Mexico, it was on the Day of the Dead. This time it's on an
Easter Sunday that the Americans will attempt to improve on a 0-21-1
record against El Tri on its turf.

In the 1997 encounter, on the day when Mexicans joyfully honor the
deceased, Jeff Agoos was red-carded in the 32nd minute, but the Steve
Sampson-coach USA held on for a 0-0 tie.

Now in charge is Coach Bruce Arena, who has had a very good record
against the Mexicans everywhere but Mexico — 0-2-0 in Mexico; 6-1-1
in the USA and in South Korea, where the Americans won, 2-0, in the
2002 World Cup round of 16.

As was the case in 1997 — but not before Arena's team's 1-0 World Cup
qualifying loss in 2001 — the Americans, at least the MLS-based
players, trained in altitude in preparation for the 7,200-feet-above
sea-level venue.

Arena's other Azteca Stadium loss was in the semifinals of the 1999
Confederations Cup (1-0 in overtime).

GAME PLAN. Much of the U.S. success against Mexico under Arena has
come by applying high-pressure to the Mexican midfield, a strategy
that may be difficult to carry out in Mexico City conditions. Also,
in the last U.S. win, a 1-0 friendly victory in April of 2004 in
Dallas, the Americans threw off the Mexicans' game by out-fouling
them 25-12. Fouls on Sunday are much more likely to draw yellow cards.

SO FAR: Both the USA (2-1 over Trinidad & Tobago) and Mexico (2-1
over Costa Rica) opened the final round of qualifying play with road
wins.

AT STAKE: The top three teams from the six-team home-and-home round
robin qualify for Germany 2006. The fourth-place team earns a playoff
with Asia's fifth-place team.

OUT OF CAMP. U.S. Soccer has not released a roster, but forward Clint
Mathis is among the players who have left camp since the arrival of
the USA's foreign-based players. Eddie Pope returned to Real Salt
Lake earlier.