By Mike Woitalla, Executive Editor
Soccer America Magazine

Few teams impressed as Mexico did in the first round of the 2002 World Cup. It looked possible that for the first time in history El Tri, which had been to 12 World Cups, would finally do better than a quarterfinal finish.

But its round-of-16 opponent would be the USA. There could not have been more pressure on Mexico – not if it faced Brazil, Germany or England. A loss to any team besides its northern neighbor would be written off as just another World Cup failure.

Losing to the nation with which it shares a 2,000-mile border and where more than 20 million people of Mexican descent reside – that would be a disgrace. Another reminder that one area of superiority Mexico had over El Norte is disappearing.

When Mexico loses to the USA, psychologists go on Mexican TV to discuss the failings of the Mexican mentality, the media skewer the players regardless of their previous successes and the fans believe their team is the worst in the world.

The USA loses and you'll find some harsh words in the chat rooms.

Sure enough, when they met in Korea, Mexico looked nothing like the team that had won its group with seven points.

The USA, which had earned only four points in the first round and needed a gift from South Korea to advance, scored in the eighth minute through Brian McBride. With 82 minutes left to play, it was no disaster. But for the nervous Mexicans it seemed so and Coach Javier Aguirre fed their self-doubt.

Ramon Morales, a midfielder who had been superb in the first round, had been beaten on the goal by Claudio Reyna. Aguirre replaced him in the 28th minute with forward Luis Hernandez.

Nothing says panic like a first-half substitution. The Americans won, 2-0.

Now Ricardo La Volpe coaches Mexico. ''Bruce Arena is very capable and he changes something every game,'' he says. ''We have to wait until the right moment, which is the first minute of the game, to see the [USA's] stance …''

Here's the coach of a team that beat Brazil and lost to Argentina on penalty kicks in June and he's worried about the lineup of an opponent he beat in March.

In several areas of the field, Mexico has players more skillful than the Americans and the Mexicans are more capable of controlling possession.

But one can't imagine Arena ever pushing a panic button or fretting until kickoff about how his opponent will line up. That's the main reason why the Americans are the favorites on Saturday: They have been made to believe they have the edge. The Mexicans, on the other hand, worry about the shame of losing.