Four years have come and gone, and now the time has come once again for the U.S. Men's National Team to count on the homefield advantage of Crew Stadium in FIFA World Cup Qualifying against its fellow CONCACAF power, Mexico. The U.S. will play El Tri in Columbus on September 10, marking the fourth time the two countries have met at Crew Stadium in World Cup Qualifying history.
For those who may not be in-touch with the rivalry's history at Crew Stadium, here is a crash course of things to know:
"DOS A CERO"
USA-Mexico matches at Crew Stadium have become passionately known as "Dos a Cero"-s to the U.S. National Team fan base for the 2-0 results in favor of the U.S. in each of the three previous meetings. In nine total matches at Crew Stadium, the U.S. has allowed just one goal, outscoring opponents 13-1 to hold a 6-0-3 record in Columbus.
FINDING THE NET
In three matches against Mexico at Crew Stadium, five players have tallied for the U.S.. Earnie Stewart, Josh Wolff, Steve Ralston, Damarcus Beasley and Michael Bradley have hit the back of the net against El Tri at Crew Stadium. Bradley, who netted a brace in the last meeting on February 11, 2009, is the only player to tally twice.
"LA GUERRA FRÍA"
The frigid conditions of Ohio in February provided the Yanks an environmental advantage over the Mexicans in 2001 and 2009. Thanks in part to temperatures in the teens and high winds, the U.S. was able to take three points from Mexico on both occasions that would go down in history as "La Guerra Fría" or "The Cold War."
RECURRING CAST
Seven players have appeared in two of the three World Cup Qualifiers in Columbus for the USMNT: Chris Armas, Claudio Reyna, Brian McBride, Frankie Hejduk, Oguchi Onyewu, Damarcus Beasley and Landon Donovan. Michael Bradley, Tim Howard, Clint Dempsey, Sacha Kljestan and Carlos Bocanegra could make their second appearance if called upon in September. Still in the National Team picture, Donovan, Beasley and Onyewu might become the only players to appear three times in a USA vs. Mexico World Cup Qualifier at Crew Stadium.
24,661
Though the MLS capacity of Crew Stadium is 20,145, the three previous World Cup Qualifiers against Mexico have drawn an average of 24,661 fans. Bleachers are added in the North and South ends of the ground to ensure a maximum capacity to offer the USMNT the best advantage on home soil.
