USA vs. Mexico Predictions: Can USMNT Get a Crucial 3 Points on Friday Night?
USA vs. Mexico Predictions: Can USMNT Get a Crucial 3 Points on Friday Night?
For years, it was assumed by casual fans that the United States, while not a top team in the world, would always qualify for the World Cup. That was until 2018, when the USMNT failed to qualify for the Russia World Cup.
Now, these World Cup qualifying games, like the one coming up on Friday night, are met with a new sense of nervousness from USA fans. Now, add on to the fact that Friday’s game is against bitter rival Mexico, and you can see why some are calling this the biggest game in recent memory for the USMNT.
These two teams hate each other, and making that hatred even stronger is the fact that the USA has gotten the better of Mexico in two straight tournament finals – the Nations League and CONCACAF Gold Cup.
So, who wins tonight with a crucial three points on the line? Let’s take a look at our USA vs. Mexico prediction for Friday night.
USA vs. Mexico Odds, Date, Time and How to Watch
- Team USA Odds: +187
- Mexico Odds: +175
- Date: Friday, November 12
- Start Time: 9:10 PM ET
- Venue: TQL Stadium (Cincinnati, Ohio)
- Where to Watch: ESPN2/ESPN+
USA vs. Mexico Prediction
Perhaps the most noteworthy thing about Team USA on Friday night is the players that won’t be in the starting lineup. Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna and Sergino Dest are all out of the starting lineup.
In the case of Dest and Reyna, it’s injuries that are keeping them from playing. Dest has been dealing with a lower back injury and was made unavailable for selection by his club, Barcelona. As for Reyna, he hasn’t gotten any action for Club or Country since September 2, when he injured his hamstring playing for the USMNT.
But, in the case of Pulisic, that’s not the case, Pulisic is fully available to manager Gregg Berhalter, but he’s also coming off an ankle injury that has limited the time he’s been able to play for Chelsea. Still, expect to see Pulisic enter the game as a sub, we’re just not entirely sure when that moment will come.
Manchester City keeper Zack Steffen will be in goal for USA, and expect to see Ricardo Pepi as a key to USA’s ability to score goals.
But, Team USA isn’t the only side dealing with suspension and injury problems.
For Mexico, their back line is about as battered and beat up as it gets. Center back Nestor Araujo is suspended and will be forced to miss Friday’s game against the USA. In addition to Araujo, fellow center back Cesar Montes is hurt and will miss the game and we’re still waiting to see if Hector Moreno will get the nod or not.
I know that Team USA is missing a lot of firepower without Reyna and Dest and with Pulisic on the bench, but I think Mexico’s uncertainty in the back is more of an issue.
Team USA still has players that can create and cause issues for the other team like Weston McKennie, Ricardo Pepi and Yunus Musah, to name a few.
I expect both teams to get on the board and find the back of the net, but I think a second-half Christian Pulisic sub gives the USA a late boost to get the goal they need to win.
USA vs. Mexico Picks
- PICK: USA ML @ +187
- PICK: Over 2.5 goals @ +145