United States Vs Mexico - 6-Feb-2008 @ 9PM EST

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While we await news on any possible deal for Christian Gomez between D.C. United and the Colorado Rapids, we'll turn our attention to the USMNT, who have a "friendly" coming up this Wednesday, February 6th, 9PM EST at Reliant Stadium in Houston. Once again, our CONCACAF rivals, Mexico, pay a vist to the US for what should be a very good, and competitive match. Perhaps a preview of future World Cup Qualifying matchups to come over the next two years, ahead of the 2010 World Cup which is to be held in South Africa. The U.S. roster for the match has been set and will include 10 MLS players. Here is the roster:

GOALKEEPERS: Brad Guzan (Chivas USA), Tim Howard (Everton FC).

DEFENDERS: Carlos Bocanegra (Fulham FC), Ramiro Corrales (SK Brann), Drew Moor (FC Dallas), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege), Michael Parkhurst (New England Revolution), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock), Eddie Robinson (Houston Dynamo).

MIDFIELDERS: Freddy Adu (SL Benfica), Michael Bradley (SC Heerenveen), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Bobby Convey (Reading FC), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Maurice Edu (Toronto FC), Benny Feilhaber (Derby County), Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo), Eddie Lewis (Derby County).

FORWARDS: Jozy Altidore (New York Red Bulls), Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Pat Noonan (Aalesund FK).

And the roster for Mexico:

GOALKEEPERS: Luís Ernesto Michel (Chivas de Guadalajara), Moisés Muñoz (Morelia), Guillermo Ochoa (Club América)

DEFENDERS: Israel Castro (Pumas UNAM), Rafael Márquez (FC Barcelona), Johnny Magallón (Chivas de Guadalajara), Fausto Pinto (Pachuca), Oscar Rojas (Club América), Carlos Salcido (PSV Eindhoven)

MIDFIELDERS: Francisco Arce (Santos Laguna), Pavel Pardo (VFB Stuttgart), Gerardo Torrado (Cruz Azul), Antonio Naelson Zinha (Toluca), Cesar Villaluz (Cruz Azul)

FORWARDS: Adolfo Bautista (Jaguares Chiapas), Juan Carlos Cacho (Pachuca), Giovani Dos Santos (FC Barcelona), Antonio de Nigris (Ankaraspor), Carlos Vela (Osasuna)

Judging from both sets of rosters for this match, both sides appear to be calling on thier full strength arsenal of big name players. Of note missing from the Mexican side, according to the U.S. Soccer Blog is Andreas Guardado, who was injured this past weekend during an away match Vs Betis. The USMNT's last meeting with the Mexican side was the CONCACAF Gold Cup final on 24, June 2007 in Chicago, which the United States won 2-1. Mexico had not scored a goal against the United States in 8 years until that match. The United States have won that compeition 4 times. (91, o2, 05, & o7.) Mexico has won it 6 times. The CONCACAF Gold Cup was first contested in 1963.

U.S. Soccer also announced today the USMNT's openning match for 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifying will be held on 15 June, 2008, 2PM PDT at the Home Depot Center in Carson California. The U.S. will face the winner of the first round series between Barbados, and Dominica. Those matches are to be held on 6, February, 2008 in Dominica, and 6, March, 2008 in Barbados.

GO YANKS!