Instead of the traditional two matches, fans get a treat of a double-sized international window with “the September and October breaks merged into one,” which “provides extra time for clubs.” The United States Men’s National Team is fresh off a pair of friendlies against South American opponents, and now the focus turns to CONCACAF and the traditional rivals. First on the docket is Mexico, with the two sides always likely to produce fireworks regardless of the competitive level. State Farm Stadium
in Glendale, Arizona – a 63,400-seat retractable roof venuewith a Tifway 419 roll-out natural grass surface – hosts the fixture.
This is the 80th all-time meeting between the two programs, with the USMNT on the wrong side of a 24-38-17 series and falling in the most-recent match, the 2025 Gold Cup final (2-1). Ranked 10th internationally by FIFA, Mexico finished atop Group A at the World Cup with victories over South Africa (2-0), South Korea (1-0), and the Czech Republic (3-0) before topping Ecuador (2-0) and losing to England (2-3). In recent friendlies, El Tri drew with Colombia (1-1) and Peru (1-1).
Rafael “Rafa” Márquez was appointed to the managerposition in July after serving as Javier Aguirre’s assistant during the World Cup, the culmination of an established succession plan. The 47-year-old retired midfielder-defender shouldbe familiar due to his long career with El Tri and Barcelona, described as the “ultimate heel” in the rivalry with the USMNT. He has limited experience in the technical area, with brief stints in charge of the Alcalá Under-15 team and Barcelona Atlètic, but is expected to lead a youth movementand “has been doing a lot of scouting.”
Márquez initially nameda 30-player roster (with the addition of three training spots) for the international window that concludes with a match against Chile. Liga MX is home to 23 of the call-ups, while eight are based in Europe and two are in Major League Soccer. Notable absences include Raúl Jiménez, Edson Álvarez, Alexis Vega, Julián Quiñones, César Huerta, Guillermo Martínez, Brian Gutiérrez, and Carlos Acevedo. César Montes and Alan Cervantes left campwith injuries and were replacedby Dagoberto Espinoza and Isaiah Violante, respectively.
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GOALKEEPERS (3): Raúl Rangel (Guadalajara), Óscar García (León), Alex Padilla (Athletic Bilbao)
DEFENDERS (11): Jesús Gallardo (Toluca), Jorge Sánchez (Atlas), Johan Vásquez (Genoa), Israel Reyes (América), Mateo Chávez (AZ), Víctor Guzmán (Monterrey), Everardo López (Toluca), Diego Campillo (Guadalajara), Dagoberto Espinoza (América), Juan Echilvestre (Santos Laguna)*, Yohan Orozco (Guadalajara)*
MIDFIELDERS (11): Orbelín Pineda (Monterrey), Roberto Alvarado (Guadalajara), Luis Romo (Guadalajara), Luis Chávez (Dynamo Moscow), Érik Lira (Cruz Azul), Gilberto Mora (Tijuana), Obed Vargas (Atlético Madrid), Álvaro Fidalgo (Betis), Denzell García (Juárez), Jeremy Márquez (Cruz Azul), Henrique Simeone (Tigres UANL)*
FORWARDS (7): Hirving Lozano (LA Galaxy), Santiago Giménez (Porto), Germán Berterame (Inter Miami), Armando González (Olympiacos), Isaías Violante (América), Hugo Camberos (Guadalajara), Santiago Sandoval (Guadalajara)
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Márquez is expected to continueutilizing the traditional Mexican 4-3-3 formation, believing that “now is not the time to start from scratch but to accelerate.” However, he is adaptable in different situations and willing to “move [players] into hybrid defensive roles, shift his midfield structure, and introduce two strikers when his team needs a goal.” The ideais to “always be the protagonist through the dominance of possession,” relying on the single pivot and the two advanced central players to “occupy intermediate spaces in the different interior lanes.”
After grabbing the startingjob in 2025 and serving as the number one at the World Cup, Raúl “Tala” Rangel is the presumed favorite and takes a leading role during the build-up with constant long passing. The 26-year-old Guadalajara goalkeeperhas good size at six feet, three inches tall and the agility and footwork to get to ground quickly and adjust to all manner of deflections and rebounds. Óscar García appearscomfortably ensconced as the starter at León due to his highly energetic and active style that sees him coming very far off his line and pulling off acrobatic stops. He is seemingly always on the move, acting as a sweeper and, while not the most productive in possession, has the ability to create the occasional chance with his distribution.
América’s Israel Reyes has“impressed with his rock-solid defending, ability to play out from the back, and nerves of steel in high-pressure matches,” exhibiting the versatility to line up on the inside and outside as well as in the midfield. He covers large swaths of ground when buzzing into the action, finding himself in the right position for a crucial tackle, a soaring header, or a critical shot block that often manages to frustrate attackers. Johan Vásquez has growninto one of the best at his position in Serie A, completely controlling the box with composed play that includes controlled challenges and aerial dominance. The 27-year-old Genoa centre-back can also dictate play during the build-up by hitting line-splitting passes and will also make the occasional run forward in order to pressure or generate a breakaway. Víctor “Toro” Guzmán is anotherbalanced option who can contributewhen cycling possession and takes care of businessin the one-on-one, roaming very far up the pitch in order to make an impact. A lot of work is required to supplant the current group at the position, but his physicalpresence and command of the area should do a lot to state his case.
Mateo Chávez seeks out contactand forces himself into the chaos, managing to explode out of the crowd with the ball and cleanly making the safe layoff to an awaiting teammate. The 22-year-old AZ Alkmaar fullback can also make an impact in the aerial game, breezes into the advanced zones on the inside and outside, and works deep enough to hit the crucial centering pass. On his best days, Jorge Sánchez of Atlas can be a force in the final third by driving toward the back post and getting on the end of crosses with a header or a composed shot. Brimming with energy, he can chase down and step up for tackles, will progress up the touchline, and has the creative inspiration to break down crowded boxes with smooth distribution and the incision of a surgeon. Toluca’s Everardo López is fresh off his breakout season in Liga MX as a two-way defender and influential figure in the build-up phase, which was parlayed into a senior international debut. The emergingtalent from Metepec can also deploy on the inside of the line and uses his left foot to open up the formation and occasionally uncork an absolute laser from outside of the box. Jesús Gallardo appears to still be in Márquez’s plans and should add a veteran presence to the outside as well as reliable productivity by getting on the end of crosses and making rapid forays into the advanced zones. His physical strength and balance are on display when avoiding being slowed down from jostling or winning the battles when climbing above taller players for headers alongside displaying a clinical shot with both feet.
Tabbed as one of the world’s top emergingtalents, Gilberto Mora is expected to take great strides forward during this cycle, praised as an “exceptional conductor of attacks” and “generating a gravity around him that draws in opponents.” The teenaged sensationcan be the steady release valve in possession, combine with teammates to progress, force turnovers with smothering pressure, embarrass defenders off the dribble, and craft magic around the box. Érik Lira lovesto go long and has the ability to find teammates across the pitch while also helping to make openings in crucial areas closer to the net. His strength comes in completely controlling the engine room and beyond with his sliding challenges and hip tackles, specializing in eliminating potential forays before getting too close to goal. Luis Romo is still a key performer and contributed a goal and an assist to help Mexico get out of the group stage last summer, bringing a touch of class with his connections and delicate finishes. His interpretation of movements, relaxed nature amidst the chaos, and penchant for audacious actions, whether a backheel or a low-percentage attempt, can help to create the necessary game-winning moments. Obed Vargas quickly worked his way intothe rotation at Atlético Madrid and picked up several starts, “showing great composure under pressure, dictating the tempo, linking play, and making quick decisions.” The former American youth internationalis a “disruptor, wins battles due to near-perfect spatial awareness, and offers an understanding of how the transitional game works,” capable of contributing in virtually every situation. Álvaro Fidalgo made his Mexico debut at the ripe old age of 29 after switching his allegiance and closed out the 3-0 World Cup victory over the Czech Republic, smashing home an attempt at the top of the box. The Spaniard slices through crowds and exhibits a high level of control, dictating the pace of play and sometimes turning on the jets for a solo effort that puts him on a collision course with the area. Luis Chávez can go anywherethat is needed on the pitch and provide the occasional moment of brilliance with his clean strike and sublime ability to squeeze his distribution through the tightest of windows. His relentless and daring nature can create that crucial difference that alters the scoreline, with most of his work done down the middle and constantly pushing through the logjam of bodies.
Roberto “Piojo” Alvarado earned rave reviewsat the World Cup for his “composure under pressure, technical skills in tight spaces, and ability to spark offensive plays” while also dropping back and taking on defensive responsibilities. He is always looking to skip toward the middle in order to set himself up for one of his divine curling left-footed efforts, either placing his attempt into the low corner or hitting with more power into the upper 90. Hugo Camberos of Guadalajara captured the Golden Boot and Golden Ball at the CONCACAF U-20 Championship, slicing and dicing past attempted challenges and showcasing a veteran’s confidence in his audacious attempts. The teenager from Autlán has speed for days and beats defenders into space but is most comfortable while on the ball, unleashing a series of stepovers and cutbacks before attempting a cross or going at goal. América’s Isaías Violante has a youthful energy and a cheeky left foot that enables him to invert and cut toward the center, chipping passes over the top or making the occasional searching effort. The Veracruzano has tireless energy to drop all the way next to the fullback and then make solo journeys that take him the length of the field, employing his cutback to work out of pressure. Santiago Sandoval makes a nuisance of himself by inserting himself into tough situations and darting away from potential problems once forcing a turnover, often drawing fouls as the only way to be stopped. He can also deploy on the outside of the formation, with excellent pace, a low center of gravity, and a series of creative moves while pinballing his way toward the net. Hirving “Chucky” Lozano is no longer the same dynamoof yesteryear but can still “create overloads in the channels” and demonstrate “a good understanding of when to move centrally” and “encourage quick transitions.” Currently on loan with the LA Galaxy and on a bit of a cold streak, there is still the hope for a resurgence with his devastating cuts and prescient vision to be in the right place for a tidy conversion.
If available, Santiago Giménez must regainhis past form if Mexico is going to challenge for the 2030 World Cup, as his “skill, intelligence in movement, and anticipation of his opponent’s actions” enable him to serve as both finisher and creator. The Argentina-born attacker waits for the right moment to pull back from the defender and receive a pass, playing against the offside trap and timing his runs to give himself constant wide-open opportunities one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Armando “La Hormiga” González of Olympiacos should push for starter’s minutes due to being a reliable fount of headed goals and performing the hard physical yards of target play, working through contact and distributing. He will range almost all the way back to the defensive third in order to aid in the holistic progression effort and is capable of hitting the back of the net with either foot. Inter Miami’s Germán Berterame is capable of taking controlin the box and holding onto the ball for as long as necessary while also making an impactful difference in the defensive game. The forward from Villa María will take long solo runs from his own half, has the power to finish from well outside the box, dominate the aerial game, and can operate as a poacher who pounces on available loose chances.
As co-hosts of the previous World Cup, both the USMNT and Mexico would have wanted to last a little longer than a Round of 16 finish, but history marches forward. There is now the current cycle to consider, with all inherent tactical updates and player introductions to consider over the next four years. Expect a more open match than usual, with the potential for a high-scoring, back-and-forth affair.
The match is scheduledfor Saturday, October 3rd at 10:00 p.m. Eastern, 7:00 p.m. Pacific. Viewing options include TNT, HBO Max, Telemundo, Universo, Peacock, and FuboTV (free trial).
