It will be the U.S. against Mexico on Saturday, Oct. 3 in a match that sees one of global soccer's best rivalries renewed.
Make no mistake, they will be pitted against each other. But what if they weren't?
Ahead of the first meeting between the teams in the new cycle after the 2026 World Cup that took place on North American soil, here's where things stand if a manager were tasked to put together a combined starting lineup.
We'll run through two lineups. The first will have the entire U.S. and Mexico player pools to choose from, and the second will only use the players who are present for these fall friendly matches.
Combined USMNT-Mexico starting XI
Goalkeeper: Tala Rangel (Mexico)
What has been a position of strength for both the U.S. and Mexico for many years has turned into something of a question mark for both nations.
Mexico bid farewell to Guillermo Ochoa at the 2026 World Cup but already had moved on to the Chivas shot-stopper. Still, he is fending off a challenge from 23-year-old Oscar Garcia and will once again have to win a battle with Luis Angel Malagon once the Club América goalkeeper is fully fit.
The U.S. has plenty of good prospects in the pipeline, with Diego Kochen getting a chance to debut against Peru. Chris Brady had a shaky outing against Chile, with fellow Chicagoland native Brian Schwake also getting his shot in that contest.
Don't be surprised if Matt Freese, the goalkeeper during the 2026 World Cup, has something to say, but for now it's Rangel geting the nod.
Right back: Sergino Dest (USA)
Right back has been a trouble spot for Mexico, and after Jeremy Marquez's struggles against Peru it appears Jorge Sanchez really is the best El Tri has at the moment.
But Sanchez can't provide what Dest can going forward. Really, few can, with his creativity, his lethal long-range shot and the defensive contributions that also give him an edge.
Center back: Chris Richards (USA)
Richards has become a stable presence at the back for the U.S., and the concern about the knock he carried before the World Cup showed that he was perhaps the most important American player for the team at the end of the last cycle.
The hope is more options can emerge for the U.S., but Richards will be looked to as a leader this cycle.
Center back: Johan Vasquez (Mexico)
Like Richards, Vasquez is a rock at the back, taking the Mexico captaincy this window and looking unlikely to give it up any time soon. In addition to becoming a consistent defender for El Tri, and a player who can find the back of the net on set pieces when the attack stagnates, Vasquez continues to impress consistently with Genoa.
Left back: Antonee Robinson (USA)
Robinson gets forward into attack, sets up scoring chances and, oh yeah, often gets back and wins one-on-one battles against the opposing team's winger as well.
While Jesus Gallardo has been consistent for Mexico and Mateo Chavez looks promising, neither comes close to matching Robinson's blend of attacking and defending abilities.
Midfielder: Tyler Adams (USA)
The midfielder who can do a little bit of everything, Adams is the type of player whose fingerprints are all over a game even when he isn't involved in the scoring plays or the flashiest highlights.
Injuries have been Adams' one constant struggle, as he often has missed out on matches where the U.S. hoped to have him. But when he's healthy, he's one of the top players in the region.
Midfielder: Erik Lira (Mexico)
Lira has surpassed Edson Alvarez as the heart and soul of the Mexico national team. An undersized pit bull who wins the ball back well and also can hold possession when pressed, the 26-year-old became key for El Tri in 2026.
A strange failed transfer saga (spoiler: partially involving another player yet to come on this list) means he still is patrolling the middle of the field for Cruz Azul, but a move to one of Europe's top leagues should be in the cards this winter.
Midfielder: Weston McKennie (USA)
We're not going to make the same mistake as every new Juventus manager, benching McKennie because of doubts about this or that and then realizing soon after that he has to be in the roster - and may be the most important player on the team.
Versatile and capable, the 28-year-old still ranks among the top players in this rivalry.
Winger: Christian Pulisic (USA)
Did the absence of a September call-up motivate Pulisic? He quickly scored with AC Milan after U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino's roster came out - without the Pennsylvania native on it.
He didn't have the best World Cup, and he's struggled at times to deal with some of the expectations put on his shoulders. Yet, the talent is still there, and we may be getting closer to finding the right environment for him to show it.
Forward: Folarin Balogun (USA)
While the move that wasn't to Everton and a knock suffered in the summer have curtailed the growth he showed during the 2026 World Cup, Balgoun still is the type of center forward international managers love. He gets into the right spots, and he finishes off scoring opportunities.
Raul Jimenez is hanging around, competing as well, but his age is becoming a liability. Not so for the 25-year-old Balogun.
Winger: Julian Quiñones (Mexico)
With four goals in four separate matches at the World Cup, Quiñones became a national hero in the summer of 2026. He continues to find the back of the net at a stunning pace with Al Qadsiah, earning looks from top European teams.
The question is whether or not Quiñones will excel as a center forward, like he does with his club team in Saudi Arabia, or if he'll stay out wide in the national team setup. But he's definitely in the starting XI.
Combined Mexico-US XI using only players called in for the September-October window
Goalkeeper: Tala Rangel (Mexico)
Right back: Sergino Dest (USA)
Center back: Chris Richards (USA)
Center back: Johan Vasquez (Mexico)
Left back: Antonee Robinson (USA)
The back line looks the same as our initial combined teams, with America's quality fullbacks and Mexico's defensive anchors all present and available for selection in Saturday's showdown.
Midfielder: Tyler Adams (USA)
Midfielder: Erik Lira (Mexico)
Midfielder: Sebastian Berhalter (USA)
We are looking at a bit of a strange formation here. There is a clear absence of North America's strongest wide attacking talent, meaning we'll set up in a Christmas tree formation.
Adams and Lira keep their spots, and Berhalter has been added after his tremendous match against Chile. Those types of days are becoming more and more frequent for the Middlesborough man, who Pochettino praised for his versatility after the match.
Attacking midfielder: Gilberto Mora (Mexico)
Mora's ankle issue may keep the 17-year-old from seeing the field Saturday, but it won't keep him out of our hypothetical. Mora barely missed the full combined XI, having already earned 13 caps with El Tri. The team looks different without his energy and his ability to start attacking moves. He is increasingly finishing them, too.
Attacking midfielder: Gio Reyna (USA)
Still only 23, Reyna has played at two World Cups and hopes his time with Strasbourg will help him find the rhythm he needs to be a dangerous attacker not only in a top European league, but also regularly with the USMNT. He has the faith of Pochettino and has rewarded it with an assist in each of the first two matches of the window.
Forward: Hormiga Gonzalez (Mexico)
With the U.S. missing Balogun and Ricardo Pepi in this window and Mexico without Raul Jimenez, the No. 9 position is all about potential. Right now, it's Gonzalez who seems closet to realizing that, in part because he is several years older than U.S. forwards Justin Ellis and Julian Hall, but also because of his quick start to life at Olympiacos after his big move from Chivas.
It may not be time to panic yet, but the lack of depth up top could become a concern for managers of both teams.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: USMNT-Mexico combined XI: What would a North American superteam look like?
