Mexico will look to salvage its World Cup hopes when it takes on Panama in a key fixture on Friday.
The unthinkable is close to happening as El Tri currently sits in fifth place in the CONCACAF standings with only eight points in eight games; the United States and Costa Rica have already clinched a top three berth leaving only two spots available. Honduras currently sits in third place with 11 points while Panama is tied with Mexico for the playoff spot. The winner of Friday's game has a huge chance to qualify for the tournament.
Mexico will play at home, but that is little comfort for El Tri as the nation has not won a single game at home in qualifiers. In its most recent game at the Azteca, Mexico scored in the sixth minute against Honduras before imploding in three minutes during the second half and losing 2-1. The defeat cost former coach Jose de la Torre his job, but the ensuing performance against the United States proved that the team's problems were far deeper than just its coach. The Americans weathered an earlier Mexican flurry and wound up with an impressive 2-0 win that clinched their spot in the tournament next summer.
Panama has drawn its last two qualifiers and has not won since March 26 when it took down Honduras at home.
The Mexican roster is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Guillermo Ochoa (Ajaccio, France); Jesus Corona (Cruz Azul); Alfredo Talavera (Toluca)
Defenders: Severo Meza (Monterrey); Hiram Mier (Monterrery); Rafael Marquez (Leon); Jonny Magallon (Leon); Miguel Layun (Club America); Hugo Ayala (Tigres); Jorge Torres Nilo (Tigres); Carlos Salcido (Tigres).
Midfielders: Gerardo Torrado (Cruz Azul); Christian Gimenez (Cruz Azul); Jesus Zavala (Monterrey); Luis Montes (Leon); Carlos Pena(Leon); Isaac Brizuela (Toluca); Lucas Lobos (Tigres); Fernando Arce (Tijuana); Marco Fabian (Chivas); Javier Aquino (Villareal, Spain); Giovani Dos Santos (Villareal, Spain).
Forwards: Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez (Manchester United); Oribe Peralta (Santos); Raul Jimenez (Club America); Aldo de Nigris (Chivas).
Prediction: The two sides draw 1-1.
Start Time: 9:30 p.m. EST
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