CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying Preview: Mexico v. Honduras

Mexico v. Honduras (Group B)When: 9 pm ET, Wednesday, August 20Where: Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, MexicoGroup A is being called semifinal round’s “Group of Death” for a reason: All four teams have legitimate shots to advance. Which is not to say there isn’t a favorite. Regional superpower Mexico, under new boss Sven Goran Eriksson, have every reason to believe they will come out on top and ease through to the Hexagonal final round.But Honduras, too, have that belief. They are currently the 3rd-highest ranked CONCACAF team in the FIFA rankings (at #61), and the entire national-team program has been lifted by the Olympic team’s unexpected qualification for Beijing. The fact that they failed to advance from the group stages -- or even score a goal -- dampened their China trip, but their upset of Mexico to qualify in the first place was the nation’s highest point since advancing to the World Cup finals in 1982.So there is a revenge factor to this game, as el Tri will not only look to get their qualifying semifinal round off to a good start, but also repay the Hondurans for ousting their Olympic team.Mexico: How Swede It IsEriksson’s hiring this summer ushered in a new era for the Mexican national team. With nearly a dozen players overseas, el Tri are now a truly global side with the requisite high-profile foreign coach. This game marks Eriksson’s debut in full charge, and for some Mexican fans, the jury is still out as to whether it was a smart hire or not.Either way, the former England boss has called in the big guns for this match and quelled some controversies. For one, he named Oswaldo Sanchez as his starting goalkeeper, settling the on-going battle between the Santos number one and America’s Memo Ochoa. Eriksson also brought in several naturalized Mexicans, such as Leandro Augusto and Matias Vuoso, scoffing at the debate about this among Mexican fans. Barcelona’s Rafael Marquez is the spiritual leader of an experienced backline. He is joined by Stuttgart’s Ricardo Osirio and PSV’s Carlos Salcido, both with more than 50 caps apiece. Twenty-one-year-old Mexican-American Edgar Castillo has only two caps but has quickly become a force on the left side with Santos Laguna.In the midfield is a cauldron of up-and-coming talent, as several of the players from the World Cup-winning u-17 side come to maturity. Tottenham’s Giovani dos Santos leads the way with his quick, fearless penetrating runs, while Deportivo’s Andres Guardado Stuttgart’s has the craftiness to create chances and the poise to finish them.Meanwhile, Pavel Pardo, capped 141 times, provides the veteran leadership. But the most interesting name on the roster is Pumas in-form midfielder Augusto, who could make his debut at the age of 31. Eriksson obviously doesn’t care where a player was born as long as they can make the side better, which the native-Brazilian Augusto can.The attack is an inexperienced one but not necessarily a young one. Nineteen-year-old Arsenal striker Carlos Vela is certainly a kid still, but others, like Matias Vuoso and Guillermo Franco, have lots of experience at the club level. And Deportivo’s Omar Bravo has only gained in confidence with his recent move to Spain.The name this pops out, however, is Cuauhtemoc Blanco, who is back in the side after more than a year. The Chicago Fire man has been in searing form of late, being named MVP of the MLS All-star Game last month, and calmly continuing to do what only Blanco can do -- create scoring opportunities and frustrate opponents into mistakes. Honduras: David Is GoliathIn recent years, Honduras has started exporting players and the new reality has given the side an incredible amount of balance. From back to front, los Catrachos have improved since last summer, when they were able to reach only the quarterfinals of the Gold Cup.There is a tight defensive core, led by Wigan’s Maynor Figeuroa and Oscar Bonieck Garcia, a 23-year-old who recently transferred from Olimpia to Paris St. Germain.The midfield general is longtime captain Amado Guevara. The Toronto FC man has 109 caps for his country and still has the skills to be dangerous, especially as a set-up man. His midfield mates are all plying their trade outside the country, as well. Roma’s Edgar Alvarez and Parma’s Julio Cesar de Leon now have experience at the highest levels of Europe, while left winger Ivan Guerrero has 79 caps and has been rejuvenated by his recent move to D.C. United.But it’s the attack where Honduras really blossoms. For one reason: Inter Milan striker David Suazo. The 28-year-old is a beast, with 14 goals in 38 international appearances. Alongside him could be youngster Carlos Costly or veteran Carlos Pavon, but Suazo will be the key man.PredictionMexico have famously lost only once at Azteca in a game that counts. With Eriksson now on board in full and the team seemingly relaxed and confident, everything points to a Mexican victory. Blanco, even at 35, is the wildcard who can change a game and help the new team members find their feet, while Marquez and goalkeeper Sanchez should be able to keep a clean sheet. Score: Mexico 2 - 0 Honduras.