NASHVILLE, Tenn. — It's a question that always hangs around friendly matches, especially when Mexico plays in the United States: Do these games even matter?
Each fan can make their own decision. Organizers expect more than 40,000 to fill Nissan Stadium on Saturday, clearly expecting a game of some significance. And Mexico manager Juan Carlos Osorio is with them, and not only because losing one of these October matches, Saturday against New Zealand and next week against Panama, would throw his already-shaky job security into total turmoil.
"I think these two matches are going to be very important for everybody, he said at a news conference Friday. "With New Zealand, if we see the same type of match as the one we've analyzed against Papau New Guinea, it's going to use a system similar to that of Honduras, for example. The structure of the team is the same, defending with eight or nine. The defensive aspect is very similar, now we can transfer that to the matches in November."
That's the same Honduras team that held Mexico to a draw in the Estadio Azteca and which kept the alarm bells sounding that have been ringing since Mexico's 7-0 defeat to Chile. While the All Whites won't play the exact same kind of game as Los Catrachos, Osorio believes there's something to be gained from facing that kind of team.
He may even get more of a representation of the United States' playing style, with New Zealand coach Anthony Hudson saying his team will be looking to go after the game a bit despite facing an El Tri team that will win the talent battle.
"We understand there's a big gulf in level between the two teams, so we just want to come away from this game and be proud of what we've done and have a strong performance," he said.
The game also will give Osorio an opportunity to get a look at a few players, like Marco Fabian and Giovani dos Santos, who he's yet to play. Injuries to Andres Guardado and Jesus "Tecatito" Corona could mean a couple of spots up for grabs in the starting XI for the all-important Hex opener against the United States. Those spots aren't going to be occupied by a player that Osorio hasn't called upon before.
Dos Santos' spot in particular always has been a bit of a question for Mexico, in the same vein as Clint Dempsey not having a perfectly defined place for the U.S. That can cause issues, though Osorio didn't indicate that he'd have an issue finding a spot for Gio in the lineup.
"In some games we don't literally play with a No. 10, but we play with five or six offensive players," Osorio said. "In our way of understanding the game, we strongly believe that the offensive side of the game doesn't depend on one player. It depends on many players. We think that Giovani can play No. 10, but he's an offensive player that can play on both flanks, in behind the striker and we're trying to find the best possible ways, not just one, that we can use all his talent."
How Dos Santos fits into that offensive side and builds an understanding could determine whether he's back with the team next month, and the same goes for Fabian, whose form in Europe has demanded more consideration from Osorio. The Frankfurt man is set to return to Germany after the first contest, according to a Fox Deportes report, so Saturday may be critical for his chances.
Next week's Panama game will obviously give Mexico an understanding on the style that Panama will play in the second match of the Hex. And while these games aren't the show-stopping friendly matches fans might hope for, the World Cup qualifiers happening this window made it tough to find many other teams. To wit, Panama is playing only the game against Mexico and has called up mostly young players.
You might have to look deeply for it, as Osorio will when he carefully analyzes his notes and the video, but there is meaning in these matches with everything geared toward preparation for next month's matches that clearly carry weight for the Mexican national team.
Follow JON ARNOLD on 
