The USMNT and Mexico have finally revealed their squads for the all important game to be celebrated this Saturday. Jurgen Klinsmann and interim coach Ricardo Ferretti have decided which men will try to get the ticket to the international competition in Russia, giving fans the joy of defeating their hated opponent in the CONCACAF region.
While both coaches had a wide range of options to make the squad, only 23 men could be selected. Here's how each team will look like.
USMNT's 23-man squad for the 2015 CONCACAF Cup
Jürgen Klinsmann's men have been under the microscope since their Gold Cup elimination in the semi-final stage. The German coach is facing pressure from a number of ex-players, and a loss against El Tri could put his job at risk. Klinsmann chose to leave Aron Johansson out of the 23-man squad, while veterans Clint Dempsey, Tim Howard and Michael Bradley will try to lead the Stars and Stripes to the international competition.
Team captain Michael Bradley stated that, despite the possible majority of Mexican fans in the stands, they have to keep focused on what happens on the pitch.
"We're not worried about it. We are used to be outnumbered by Mexican fans, but I'm sure our supporters will make themselves heard. It will be a challenge, and it will fuel us to give our best this Saturday," Bradley revealed.
Here's Klinsmann's final call up for the game
Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa/England); Tim Howard (Everton/England); Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake/USA)
Defenders: Ventura Alvarado (Club America/Mexico); DaMarcus Beasley (Houston Dynamo/USA); Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City/USA); Geoff Cameron (Stoke City/England); Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders FC/USA); Michael Orozco (Club Tijuana/Mexico); Tim Ream (Fulham/England); Jonathan Spector (Birmingham City/England); DeAndre Yedlin (Sunderland/England)
Midfielders: Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake/USA); Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes/France); Michael Bradley (Toronto FC/Canada); Fabian Johnson (Borussia Mönchengladbach/Germany); Jermaine Jones (New England Revolution/USA); Danny Williams (Reading/England); Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City/USA)
Strikers: Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC/Canada); Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC/USA); Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes/USA); Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy/USA)
Mexico's 23-man squad for the 2015 CONCACAF Cup
El Tri won the 2015 Gold Cup under great controversy, since the team then-coached by Miguel Herrera did not show great skills throughout the tournament. For this game, interim coach Ricardo Ferretti left out Malaga goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, who was the starting goalie for Mexico since the 2014 World Cup. Furthermore, Giovani Dos Santos was forced out of the match after coming down with an injury on Sunday's game against Seattle Sounders. On the other hand, Javier "Chicharito" Hernández, Andrés Guardado and legendary defender Rafael Marquez are expected to start against the American squad.
Villarreal's midfielder Jonathan Dos Santos spoke ahead of the crucial match.
"It's a game of life or death. I think both teams have improved since the Gold Cup, but I believe our team is better. We ended up as Champions during the last Gold Cup, and we will try to build upon that to win this Saturday," Dos Santos stated.
Mexico's squad to face the USMNT
Goalkeepers: Moisés Muñoz (Club America/Mexico); Jonathan Orozco (Monterrey/Mexico); Alfredo Talavera (Toluca/Mexico)
Defenders: Paul Aguilar (Club America/Mexico); Diego Reyes (Real Sociedad/Spain); Rafael Marquez (Hellas Verona/Italy); Hector Moreno (PSV Eindhoven/Netherlands); Miguel Layun (Porto/Portugal); Hector Herrera (Porto, Portugal); Arturo Rivas (Tigres/Mexico); Jorge Torres Nilo (Tigres/Mexico)
Midfielders: Israel Jimenez (Tigres/Mexico); Andres Guardado (PSV Eindhoven; Netherlands); Jose Juan Vazquez (Leon/Mexico); Javier Aquino (Tigres/Mexico); Jonathan Dos Santos (Villarreal/ Spain); Javier Güemez (Club America/Mexico)
Strikers: Oribe Peralta (Club America/Mexico); Raul Jimenez (Benfica/Portugal); Carlos Vela (Real Sociedad/Spain); Carlos Esquivel (Toluca/Mexico); Jesus Corona (Porto/Portugal); Javier Hernandez (Bayer Leverkusen/Germany)
Match details, result and original broadcast info
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