KLINSMANN CALLS 26 PLAYERS FOR START OF 2016 HEX VS. MEXICO IN COLUMBUS
THE “HEX” BEGINS NOV. 11 AS FANS FROM ALL 50 STATES DESCEND ON COLUMBUS
MNT Nov 6, 2016
CHICAGO (Nov 6. 2016) – U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann has named 26 players to the roster that will train in advance of the opening matches of Final Round Qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The Final Round, also known as the “Hex”, begins with USA-Mexico, presented by AT&T, on Nov. 11 in Columbus, Ohio.
With fans from all 50 states headed to MAPFRE Stadium, both FS1 and Univision plan extensive coverage around the match, with kickoff set for 7:45 p.m. ET.
Four days later, the U.S. travels to San Jose in search of its first victory on Costa Rican soil. Fans can follow both matches on Twitter @ussoccer, @ussoccer_esp and the U.S. Soccer Facebook Page.
ALL HANDS ON DECK
For the third time in five World Cup qualifying cycles dating back to 2001, the MNT begins the Final Round with a home match against Mexico. The biggest game on U.S. soil every four years requires the team’s best, and Klinsmann has responded by bringing the strongest squad available. There are 15 players on the roster with World Cup experience, and a total of 17 who have seen action against Mexico, including 11 who have faced them in World Cup Qualifying.
“Obviously the Mexico clash is a six-pointer to start the Hexagonal right away,” said Klinsmann. “We badly want to continue the tradition of beating them in Columbus. Having 26 players coming in gives us many different options for both games. It allows us to evaluate certain players, like a Jermaine Jones, to see how far he has come along fitness wise. Bringing in the likes of Cameron Carter-Vickers, Lynden Gooch and Caleb Stanko proves that the younger players are pushing through.”
COLUMBUS – THE FORTRESS
Columbus has served as the spiritual home of U.S. Soccer and the host of USA-Mexico for the past four cycles. In each, the United States has collected 2-0 shutout victories, establishing the rally cry of “Dos a Cero” for U.S. supporters. On two occasions – in 2005 and 2013 – the victories secured the USA’s advancement to the World Cup.
It’s not just against Mexico that the U.S. has had success in Columbus. The MNT is unbeaten in 11 matches at MAPFRE Stadium, holding an 8-0-3 lifetime record with a remarkable 10 shutouts. Even more importantly, nine of the matches have been World Cup Qualifiers. The USA is 7-0-2 in those contests, most recently running out 4-0 winners against Guatemala on March 29 earlier this year on Matchday 4 of the Semifinal Round of qualifying.
A RIVALRY THAT RIVALS THE BEST
Imagine if Ohio State and Michigan were the size of countries. Now you can start to appreciate the rivalry that is USA-Mexico. In the world of global soccer, there are the storied matchups like Barcelona-Real Madrid in Spain, Rangers-Celtic in Scotland and Boca Juniors-River Plate in Argentina. What they all have in common are decades of history, classic moments, and off-the-field differences that combined make up a rivalry bigger than sport. In this contest between North American neighbors, the tides turned for good in the biggest meeting of their 82-year history on June 17, 2002, when the United States defeated Mexico 2-0 in the Round of 16 of the 2002 FIFA World Cup. “Today is a funeral,” remarked one Mexican fan. “We used to have soccer over them. Now we have nothing.”
