U.S. Faces Big Challenge In Mexico

The United States soccer team today plays the rival Mexicans in a World Cup ‘98 qualifier before 57,877 at sold-out Foxboro Stadium.

It’s big, this first of two games between these national teams trying to be among the final 32 competing in the World Cup in France next summer.

Mexico (2-0-1), which trashed Jamaica, 6-0, before more than 100,000 in Mexico City last Sunday, would like to stay unbeaten and on top in the six-nation Central and North America, Caribbean competition.

But the second-place U.S. team (1-1-1 in the same group), a disappointing, 3-2 loser late in Costa Rica on March 23, needs to answer a big question: Can it beat a genuinely good opponent?

Mexico is, for sure, a fair test. Just 14 weeks ago, the Mexican “varsity” easily beat a largely green American B team, 2-0, in the Rose Bowl during the U.S. Cup - the first Mexican win on U.S. soil in 23 years. Plus, Mexico has simply pummeled the United States in World Cup qualifiers, losing only twice in 17 meetings over the past 47 years, the last time in 1982 by 2-1.

But over the last six years, the improving Americans, who will start their “varsity” today, too, have been tilting at history. They’re 3-2-4 in various national-team matches with Mexico.

The United States will be without forward Cobi Jones and star midfielder Tab Ramos. It will have forward Ernie Stewart, who missed the Costa Rica game because he received two yellow cards.

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ON TV 1:30: Mexico vs. U.S., tape (ABC)