Soccer America Archives

[WPS] Contrary to what was stated in Tuesday’s SoccerAmericaDaily, injured U.S. national team star Lindsay Tarpley is expected to be back on the field, training with WPS’s Chicago Red Stars in preseason next March and playing in their 2010 opener in April, according to Red Stars President Peter Wilt.

[HEXAGONAL] Four and half hours after Mexico and the USA kick off at Azteca, two other Concacaf qualifiers begin: Honduras-Costa Rica and Trinidad & Tobago-El Salvador. If Costa Rica and the USA take points on the road, they will maintain their lead at the top of the Hexagonal standings. But if both lose, the race for the three automatic berths will tighten considerably. For the Hexagonal standings, schedule and past results …

[HEXAGONAL] Mexico isn’t the only Concacaf team in a must-win situation on Wednesday. Honduras must beat Hexagonal leader Costa Rica to remain on course toward a berth at the 2010 South Africa. Security is expected to be heavy in the industrial city of San Pedro Sula following a coup that ousted Honduras President Manuel Zelaya.

[MAKING A LIST] In story after story this week, it’s been stated that the USA is 0-18-1 at Azteca Stadium. Problem is, Azteca wasn’t opened until 1966 — after the first 10 Mexico-USA games in Mexico City — all Mexico wins, of course — took place. The USA’s record at Azteca is a still-miserable 0-8-1. Here’s a look at where the USA and Mexico played in the pre-Azteca days …

[TRIVIA] The United States did beat Mexico once in Mexico City. A sell-out crowd of 41,000 was on hand. Mexico went ahead on a penalty kick 10 minutes into the second half, but the Americans rallied to win, 2-1, on a pair of late goals, prompting the local fans to pelt the Mexican players with debris. What was the year? What the competition? Who was the future U.S. star who committed the foul that led to the Mexico penalty? Who were the college teammates who scored the two U.S. goals? Who was the U.S. keeper who is still active today?

[MEXICO-USA] U.S. players arrived Tuesday in Mexico City to chants of “cinco, cinco, cinco” from Mexican fans, in reference to El Tri’s 5-0 win over the USA in the Gold Cup final, but Mexico coach Javier Aguirre says a repeat of that result is very improbable.

[MEXICO-USA] How best to deal with the heat, smog, altitude, fans and Mexican national team that is nearly unbeatable in Estadio Azteca? The USA looks for answers to those obstacles that it will face when it meets Mexico in Wednesday’s much-anticipated game (TV: Telemundo/mun2, live, 4 p.m. ET)

[OFF THE POST] Brazilian star Kaka got lost while taking a morning walk in the Estonian capital of Tallinn the day before Brazil’s friendly against Estonia. Two police officers who recognized the $90 million man and learned that he couldn’t find his way back to the hotel drove him back in their patrol car.

[MEXICO-USA] Only three of the Americans who played in the Gold Cup final are in the traveling squad for the Hexagonal match Wednesday at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City (TV: 4 pm ET, mun2/Telemundo), and though two of them played for Houston on Sunday they profess they’ll be ready if called upon.

[MEXICO-USA] The 105,000-seat Azteca Stadium sold out two weeks ago for the World Cup qualifying game Wednesday. Proceso reports that lower-section tickets with a face value of 600 pesos ($46) are on the market for 5,000 pesos ($380). General admission tickets that originally sold for 120 pesos ($9.20) are reselling at up to 1,200 pesos ($93), according to Medio Tiempo.

[MEXICO-USA] The USA has faced Mexico eight times at Azteca Stadium. Only three Americans – not counting an own goal – have scored at Azteca.