BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. — Mexico manager Juan Carlos Osorio expects a difficult challenge against the United States when his team opens the final round of World Cup qualification in Columbus, Ohio, on Nov. 11.
Dos Santos makes Mexico better
While Osorio said his team will look to go after the game, he also said he'll be wary of a U.S. side that can find goals in a variety of different ways.
"Well, the idea is always the same, to try to play to our strengths, but we also understand the United States is a strong team," Osorio said at a news conference after the match. "We believe that they are very good at direct football, in open plays as well as set plays. So we’ll take that into consideration and we’ll put a team that can compete against the United States with their athleticism but also we’ll put a team that can play football and can take the game to them."
Mexico won its fourth round World Cup qualification group, going undefeated in a group that featured Honduras, Canada and El Salvador, but must begin its 10-match final round campaign on the road. Still, Osorio is confident his team can start strong in the Hex if his players can stay healthy.
"Against the United States and against Panama as visitors, we've got great chances and we're going to try to compete with them. Now the most important thing is that our players stay in good health, hopefully threre aren't any injuries, that they compete with their respective clubs. I think the next Mexico call is going to be a very strong one and very well positioned to compete in the two matches."
After the Nov. 11 meeting in Columbus, Mexico travels to Panama City for a Nov. 15 match to close out its 2016 campaign.
