azsouthendzone

.S.-MEXICO TO KICK OFF 2007
Match to be played in Arizona




Landon Donovan may face Mexico in February 2007
Photo by Linda Cuttone/Sports Vue Images
The United States and Mexico will renew their rivalry in February 2007, LASoccerNews.com has learned.

Details of the match were not available as they have not been finalized but the game is likely to be played on Feb. 7 in Arizona, Chivas USA co-owner Antonio Cue said Thursday.

The game could be played at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. The stadium is home to the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals. On Tuesday, the stadium hosted its first-ever soccer game as Chivas de Guadalajara and Club America played a friendly there before a crowd of 40,496.

The match could be the first game for the coaches of the respective national teams. Neither Mexico nor the U.S. currently has a coach. U.S. coach Bruce Arena and Mexico coach Ricardo Lavolpe have moved on to clubs and their positions have not been filled.

Last year was the first year since 1992 that the U.S. and Mexico did not play. The last time the two teams met was on Sept. 3, 2005 when the U.S. beat Mexico 2-0 in Columbus to clinch a spot in the 2006 World Cup.


http://www.lasoccernews.com/article.php?article_id=683

Zeno

How stupid can US Soccer be? They should never host Mexico in any state that borders that country. Unfortunately it will be like a home game for Mexico.

Also I personally believe the first game for a new coach should be against a lesser opponent so that the coach can get his sytem of play in place.

They could very easily have scheduled Jamaica, Costa Rica, China, S. Korea or some other team there rather than Mexico. At least they've learned not to schedule qualifiers in places like that.

MigratingOsprey

agreed - i think all games v mexico should be in columbus - although I will be there if it is here amongst an obnoxious sea of green

azsouthendzone

It's a friendly for Gods sake. US has been ***** footing around way too long. They need to play more games in hostile environments against top notch talent. I guess they could play friendlies against panama in Seattle to let themselves feel good about themselves, and then get rolled in the World Cup by such great squads like Ghana, but I for one think its time they play with the big boys. Great game for the Phoenix area.

Dback Jon

Great point - sounds like an excellent match up!

__________________



R.I.P Tim Minnick

The KING of Cards

SECTION 11

Bring It!!

__________________
Run like an antelope,
Roll like a cantaloupe.

Zeno

Every team in the world(with the exception of Brazil) when they have a new manager introducing a new system schedules games against competition more suitable for that coach to implement his system. Thats a fact. You don't schedule your first game versus your only true regional rival in an area in your own country where you will be cheered against--I'm not suggesting Haiti or Andorra but not stinking Mexico. It makes no sense, friendly or not.

As for playing more games against top notch talent--did you not notice the fact that they will be competing in the Copa America(the South American championships--Brazil, Argentina etc)? Which follows the Gold Cup by a mere week(the CONCACAF Championships--Mexico yet again)?

We'll be seeing a new US team, 3 long time players retired---McBride, Reyna, Pope and we'll see an infusion of younger talent with Adu, Feilhaber, Bradley, Wynne, Whitbread and others to go with Donovan, Beasley, Onyewu and Dempsey, hopefully with a coach who will make the most of their talents and put them in places that they can have the most impact on the team.

azsouthendzone

That is why the Mexico game is good. Playing a cream puff schedule benefits no one. Games like this will prepare them for Copa. It almost sounds as if you are scared of the Mexicans. USA will handle them, like they always do on home soil. Playing in Glendale is a lot different than playing in Mexico City. I give our MNT a lot more credit than you, and as far as the kids go, it will be a good experience.

Zeno

I'm hardly scared of the Mexicans, I hate them. But what I hate more is the fact that we are giving their fans such easy access to a game in our country.

You seem to be missing the point. The first friendly of the year is not going to be the ONLY friendly they play before Copa America(or the only meaningful competition with the Gold Cup preceding it). What it will be is simple...the FIRST game under a new coaching staff with new players getting used to playing with each other. I am sure we will play other competition leading to those events--its not like its friendly in February and then don't play again until June.

If the first game had to be against Mexico then they should schedule it somewhere off the southwest border. Games in Phoenix shouldn't be against Mexico period, just like no more games in LA or San Diego versus those SOBs.

azsouthendzone

This is America. We give fans of other countries easy access no matter what the country, no matter what the destination. It is also Arizona, where we believe in more fans cheering against the home team. It is tradition.

Zeno

Alright you stumped me there...point taken.

arthurracoon

__________________
Signed,

arthurpostpadder

arthurracoon

__________________
Signed,

arthurpostpadder

coyoteshockeyfan

Anybody know when tickets go on sale?

__________________

gtomsey

Is anyone going or do I have to take on 40,000 green shirts all by myself?