What are the absences from the US that could give Mexico and Tata Martino an advantage

Although Christian Pulisic will lead the United States team at Estadio Azteca, they will have five casualties that would help the Mexican National Team come out with a good result

Guardar
Nov 12, 2021; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; United States midfielder Weston McKennie (8) celebrates his goal with forward Christian Pulisic (10) during a FIFA World Cup Qualifier soccer match against the Mexico at TQL Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2021; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; United States midfielder Weston McKennie (8) celebrates his goal with forward Christian Pulisic (10) during a FIFA World Cup Qualifier soccer match against the Mexico at TQL Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Mexico will host the United States this Thursday, March 24 at the Estadio Azteca, in a duel that could define the passage of the Tricolor to the World Cup in Qatar and cut a streak of three consecutive matches with defeat to the North American team.

To achieve this, Gerardo Martino's team will have to prevail over their similar led by Gregg Berhalter, who will have to deal with at least five significant absences in their starting eleven, so the American team will stop at the Colossus of Santa Ursula won't be the best possible in an ideal setting.

This could make the task of the Mexican National Team in the Octagonal Final less difficult, as three are undisputed starters and the other two constantly alternate in the starting eleven of the Bars and Stars.

Infobae
Except Andrés Guardado, Gerardo el “Tata” Martino will have a full squad to face the United States at the Azteca Stadium (Photo: EFE/José Méndez)

What are the absences of the United States against Mexico?

1. Weston McKennie

Probably the most sensitive loss of the North American team is that of Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie, who suffered a fracture in the fifth metatarsal of his left foot at the end of February and will miss the rest of the season with his team.

Therefore, the 23-year-old will not be present at the end of the tie, so Gregg Berhalter will not be able to count on his trusted half with more minutes so far in the Concacaf Octagonal.

On a very close step in terms of relevance is Sergiño Dest, the right-handed back of FC Barcelona who had a tear in the femoral biceps and will be low for at least two more weeks, so the North American team will not have its starting lane for the last three dates of the tie.

Infobae
Sergiño Dest was in one of his best moments as a Barcelona winger until his injury fell (Photo: Reuters/Trevor Ruszkowski)

3. Brenden Aaronson

As if the previous three casualties were not enough, in recent days it was confirmed that Brenden Aaronson was causing withdrawal from the call after he could not recover from a knee injury.

The Red Bull Salzburg footballer is Berhalter's other starting element at the US ends and had even started in the starting 11 in the last two matches against Mexico, so his absence will also be of consideration for the North American team.

4. Chris Richards

The central defender's ankle will not allow him to help the United States in the final of the Octagonal, so Chris Richards becomes the fourth weight loss for the team, as he had started four of the last six matches of the tie and had consolidated himself as the team's starting piece.

Infobae
Brenden Aaronson will be another of the most significant casualties in the United States to visit Mexico at the Azteca Stadium (Photo: REUTERS/Christopher Hanewinckel)

5. Matt Turner

Probably the only absence from the United States that has an alternate guarantee is Matt Turner; however, the goalkeeper of the New England Revolution had started in 8 of the 11 games of the Octagonal Final and was aiming to repeat at the Azteca Stadium, as he had been the champion goalkeeper of the Gold Cup against Mexico.

A muscle injury will clear the way for Manchester City's backup goalkeeper Zack Steffen, who has also already defeated the Mexican National Team in the first match of the tie.

With these five casualties, the US coach will have to deal with the last three dates of the qualification for Qatar 2022, something that could lead the Tricolor of Tata Martino to break the bad streak of recent results against the North American ensemble.

KEEP READING:

Guardar