COLUMBUS, OH, Sporting Alert – USA and Mexico named their respective starting lineups for their CONCACAF FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier at the MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, Friday night.
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U.S. head coach Jurgen Klinsmann has decided to go with a 3-5-2 lineup, which will also see a three man attacking formation when the home side goes forward.
Klinsmann has elected to hand young talent Christian Pulisic a starting place again.
The 18-year-old is making his third straight start for the U.S., following his senior debut in March at this same venue in a 4-0 thrashing of Guatemala.
Pulisic will play the No. 10 role and will slot in behind forwards Jozy Altidore and Bobby Wood.
John Brooks and Timothy Chandler also start for the U.S. in the backline, with Brooks, who played in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, making his first World Cup qualifier appearance.
Tim Howard starting in goal, while DeAndre Yedlin, Alejandro Bedoya, Fabian Johnson, Michael Bradley, Jermaine Jones and Matt Besler starting as well.
Meanwhile, for Mexico, Rafa Marquez starts at center-back and will link up with Diego Reyes, Hector Moreno and Miguel Layun
When the game kicks off, the 37-year-old Marquez will become the first player to feature in four World Cup qualifiers in the U.S.
Carlos Vela and Javier Hernandez will lead the attack with Giovani dos Santos, Andres Guardado and Hector Herrera also starting for coach coach Juan Carlos Osorio.
In the last five meetings between these two CONCACAF bitter rivals, USA won twice, Mexico once and the next two ended in draws.
El Tri won the last head-to-head meeting 3-2 in the Confederations Cup Play-off last year.
U.S. Team: Tim Howard, Matt Besler, John Brooks, Omar Gonzalez, Timothy Chandler, Fabian Johnson, Michael Bradley, Jermaine Jones, Christian Pulisic, Bobby Wood, Jozy Altidore
Mexico Team: Alfredo Talavero, Diego Reyes, Rafa Marquez, Hector Moreno, Miguel Layun, Andres Guardado, Hector Herrera, Giovani dos Santos, Jesus Corona, Carlos Vela, Javier Hernandez
