It will all come down to one night in California.
The United States and Mexico are set to contest a one-game playoff Oct. 9 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, to earn CONCACAF's spot at the 2017 Confederations Cup in Russia, the confederation announced Sunday.
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The playoff was announced in 2013 and is meant to maintain interest and provide equal incentive in both tournaments that take place in a four-year cycle. With Mexico's triumph Sunday and the Americans' win two years ago, the regional rivals are set to meet to decide which team heads to Russia.
Both teams' managers have said they value the opportunity the Confederations Cup provides to allow teams to test themselves against top competition and become familiar with venues that will be used at the next summer's World Cup.
With the Los Angeles area regularly seeing sold-out crowds supporting Mexico but also located in the United States, groups of fans on both sides have expressed concern about venue neutrality. The confederation says it will attempt to make sure the crowd is well-balanced between the two groups of supporters.
"Participating member associations and its supporter groups will have access to purchase tickets in advance of the public sale," a CONCACAF news release said. "Tickets will be available to the general public in September."
