Chicharito is ready
DATE IMPORTED:October 06, 2015Mexico's soccer player Javier Hernandez (R) smiles next to Jesus Corona (C) and Oribe Peralta during a soccer training session in Mexico City, October 6, 2015. Mexico will play against United States on October 10 in Pasadena, California. The winner of the CONCACAF Cup playoff match will advance to the 2017 Confederations Cup, an eight-nation event to be held in Russia as a prelude to the 2018 World Cup. REUTERS/Edgard Garrido

One of the greatest rivalries in all of sports is renewed on Saturday night when Mexico and the United States clash at the famed Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, CA.

It's been over 13 years since these teams last played a game of overly important significance, when the USMNT, led by Landon Donovan, eliminated Mexico 2-0 in the round of 16 at the 2002 World Cup in Japan/South Korea.

For fans of the rivalry, this ranks up there as one of be biggest matches, as El Tri and USA face a "winner take all" game for the right to represent the region in the 2017 Confederations Cup in Russia.

Mexico is in a state of transition after winning the 2015 Gold Cup this summer. They fired head coach Miguel Herrera, who had them trending in the right direction after a strong performance in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, followed by their 7th Gold Cup trophy in the country's history.

However, just one day later, Mexico fired Herrera for allegedly striking a reporter, and temporarily replaced him witch Ricardo "Tuco" Ferretti. Ferretti coached El Tri in two friendless that resulted in back-to-back draws for Mexico.

Saturday is expected to be Tuco's final match coaching Mexico as he will hand the torch of to Colombian-born, Juan Carlos Osorio, who left his spot as manager of Sao Paolo to take over the Mexican Natioinal Team earlier this week.

The good news for Mexico, is they have gone undefeated in their last 10 matches (that includes playing Lionel Messi and Argentina), the bad news is that the United States seem to have their number.

The United States has not lost against Mexico in six consecutive matches against them over the last four years. However, Mexico's last victory against the Stars and Stripes was on June 25, 2011 at the Rose Bowl, home of Saturday's match.

Mexico is expected to have Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez back in the lineup as the new member of Bayer Leverkusen was injured during El Tri's run in the Gold Cup. Ferretti's former goalkeeper Moises Munoz is expected to start in net for Mexico and Rafa Marquez will be on the back four.

Miguel Layun will be there, as will Andrés Guardado who was expected to miss the game with an injury after a stellar performance in the Gold Cup, but he has healed nicely over the last month.

Oribe Peralta, Jonathan dos Santos, and Jesus "Tecatito" Corona are also expected to be key factors in the game whether they start or come off the bench later in the match.

One option Mexico will not have off the bench, is Giovani dos Santos, who suffered a muscle strain injury during the LA Galaxy's last game against the Seattle Sounders at CenturyLink Field last Sunday.

For the United States, this could be a turning point for the team and the country. The roster has seen a lot of changes and head coach Jurgen Klinsmann has experimented with many players since the U.S. was eliminated in the round of 16 of the 2014 World Cup.

After some impressive friendly victories over teams like the Netherlands and Germany, team USA was blown out by Brazil 4-1 in their last game. Former USMNT captain, Donovan, has publicly stated that Klinsmann should be fired if he loses to Mexico on Saturday, though we wont speculate on the future of the German coach.

Tim Howard is finally back from his year hiatus, but stubbornly, Klinsmann is going with Brad Guzan in net. Michael Bradley was named the captain earlier this week, and will start in the midfield alongside Jermaine Jones and Gyasi Zardes. We expect to see Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey up front, and veterans, DeMarcus Beasley and Geoff Cameron in the back.

The U.S. will look to capitalize on their recent successes against Mexico in this game, but will need to play better than they have so far in 2015, to get the victory and punch their ticket to Russia in 2017.

We anticipate an incredible atmosphere as over 90,000 fans will pack into the Rose Bowl to see this one. Just because the game is on U.S. soil, does not mean that it is a home game for the Stars and Stripes. California contains a large contingent of Mexican fans and citizens, and should outnumber the USMNT supporters. Mexico has the stars and the talent, and the confidence coming in to knock off their rivals.

Prediction: Mexico 2, USA 1

Betting Favorite: Mexico -150
Over/Under : 2 goals.

Mexico and the United States kick off on Saturday, October 10 at 6:30PM EST on Fox Sports 1 at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, CA. It can be live streamed here, and on the Fox Sports Go app for your mobile device.

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