For U.S., Bragging Rights Are a Lofty Goal

Mexico Coach Ricardo Lavolpe, right, instructs players Luis Perez, left, and Ramon Morales in preparation for the World Cup qualifier against the U.S. (Dario Lopez-mills -- AP)

MEXICO CITY, March 25 -- If the only things that mattered in Sunday's World Cup qualifier between the United States and Mexico were 70 years of soccer history and the grim atmospheric conditions around Azteca Stadium, Mexican fans would have nothing to worry about.

Mexican teams kicked around their American counterparts for decades, at one point going 46 years between losses to their northern rivals, and established themselves as the preeminent program in this part of the world. Their cause was helped by the setting for many of those one-sided matches, Azteca, where the 7,300-foot altitude, sooty air and fervent support from more than 110,000 fans provided a nearly invincible advantage.

However, things are beginning to change. The Americans have dominated the rivalry the last five years with a 6-1-1 record and were responsible for eliminating Mexico in the round of 16 at the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan. Now, for the first time, the United States appears to be in position to win on Mexican soil after 21 losses and one tie.

The Mexican players, who never seemed troubled by an American visit in the past, appear genuinely concerned about Sunday's encounter.

"We have to remember what happened to us," star defender Rafael Marquez said upon arriving from Spain, where he plays for European power FC Barcelona. "They knocked us out of the World Cup, and it's something I'll never forget. It was a difficult experience and we can't let them roll over us at home."

Veteran midfielder Pavel Pardo takes a broader view of the rivalry, saying on the official Web site for FIFA, soccer's world governing body: "For all the Hispanics who live [in the United States] and suffer in various situations, the fact that Mexico beats the United States is something glorious because we know we're representing millions of Mexicans."

Both teams won their opening matches in the final round of qualifying last month, both by 2-1 scores on the road. Regardless of what happens Sunday and then in September when they face each other in Columbus, Ohio, both Mexico and the United States probably won't have much trouble earning berths in the 2006 World Cup in Germany. (Three of the six finalists will claim automatic spots and a fourth will advance to a playoff with an Asian country.)

What's at stake, however, is bragging rights in a region that, until the Americans' emergence in recent years, barely tested the Mexicans. They are 75-14-24 in all-time qualifying, having lost just once at home in 59 appearances -- a 2-1 defeat to Costa Rica in June 2001. The Americans were slaughtered in early qualifiers in Mexico, by scores such as 6-0 (twice) and 6-2 in the 1940s and '50s, and 5-1 as recently as 1980.

But in 1997, the United States earned its first point in Mexico with a scoreless tie despite playing most of the game short-handed following defender Jeff Agoos's ejection. Four years later, the Mexicans scored early and held on for a 1-0 victory. Between those qualifiers was a 1-0 Mexico win in overtime in a 1999 Confederations Cup semifinal at Azteca.

"I personally am not intimidated by Azteca," U.S. Coach Bruce Arena said. "I think it's a great venue to play in. Obviously, 110,000 fans can be intimidating. The altitude can be intimidating. But I think we're at a point in our program where we have a lot of confidence in our abilities. We'll be up for the challenge."

The Americans have been preparing for the high-altitude encounter by training at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, where the elevation is similar to the Mexican capital's. They also played an exhibition against Honduras in Albuquerque (5,300 feet) last weekend.

Still, the greatest obstacle is the Mexican team, which is ranked sixth in the world (four spots ahead of the United States) and, as usual, has outstanding talent. Other than Marquez, the entire Mexican roster comprises players from the high-paying domestic league, including five from Chivas of Guadalajara and Cruz Azul, and two apiece from Pumas and Club America.

The Mexican federation was so serious about preparing for the U.S. showdown that it required the national team players to remain in camp all week, which meant Chivas was severely short-handed for Wednesday's 2-1 victory over San Lorenzo of Argentina in an international tournament.

"We have to avenge the humiliation we suffered at the last World Cup," Pumas forward Jaime Lozano said. "Now it's our turn to knock them out."