SVEN-GORAN ERIKSSON has release his squad for the U.S. / MEXICO qualifier a week from today. Now before we get into that lets examine this rivalry that has blossomed for alot of reasons. Geography, culture, immigration along with a rise in the U.S. soccer culture all comes in to play here. The two soccer cultures in many ways continue to grow closer and closer together.
So where does this rivalry fit in to you and what does it mean to you? Do you walk around for days after lamenting a loss? Do you blow it off? Or do you have a bit of a swagger in your step?
Is this bigger to you than ARGENTINA/BRAZIL, GERMANY/ENGLAND or ITALY/FRANCE or NETHERLANDS/GERMANY?

Here is the MEXICO roster for the U.S. match next Wednesday in Columbus, Ohio. Incidentally this match sold out in 90 minutes.

Goalkeepers: Oswaldo Sanchez (Santos), Guillermo Ochoa (CA), Jose Corona (Tecos).

Defenders: JC Valenzuela (CA), JC Dominguez (Cruz Azul), Carlos Salicido (PSV Eindhoven), Ricardo Osorio (Stuttgart), Rafa Marquez (Barcelona), Aaron Galindo (Chivas), Leobardo Lopez (Pachuca).

Midfielders: Fausto Pinto (Cruz Azul), Pavel Pardo (CA), Leandro Augusto (Pumas), Luis Perez (Monterrey), Israel Martinez (San Luis), Sinha (Toluca)

Forwards: Alberto Medina (Chivas), Cesar Villaluz (Cruz Azul), Gio Dos Santos (Tottenham), Matias Vuoso (Santos), Carlos Ochoa (Chivas), Nery Castillo (Shaktar Donetsk), Guillermo Franco (Villareal), Omar Bravo (Deportivo)

Eriksson has included four naturalized citizens and seven euro-based players. OMAR BRAVO and NERY CASTILLO clearly have to be the most feared forwards but not in this situation as neither have been playing regular football with their club teams. In fact CASTILLO still remains a mystery as to what he has been doing.
Salcido, Osorio and Marquez will stabilize the back but will Marquez show? Generally against the U.S. he has failed to lead “El Tri”.

Goalkeeping still to me is a question with Mexico. I expect SANCHEZ to get the start with his experience over OCHOA who many love but has yet to convince me he is ready to lead Mexico.

Pavel Pardo will bring experience in midfield and my guess is that Leandro will play with him.

Up front CASTILLO so dangerous against the U.S. in the Gold Cup has to be a question mark as well as BRAVO. So who do you start out of MEDINA, OCHOA and VUOSO?

This will be interesting and I believe Mexico will go against it’s nature and defend deep in Columbus.

THE DYNAMO have come up with a great ticket package for the CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE quarterfinal match on FEBRUARY 24th.
Fans can purchase four tickets behind the goal for only $32 . Crazy? I think so, and I challenge anyone to show me a better professional sports value in town?
Astros, Rockets, Texans can’t come close to this. For only $8 a ticket you are enjoying high caliber soccer.
Are the Dynamo the best professional value overall in Houston when it comes to pro-sports?

MONDAY NIGHT U.S/MEXICO blow out show on 790Thesportsanimal

*Monday night we preview the U.S. and Mexico match on 790Thesportsanimal during DYNAMO ALL ACCESS with GLENN DAVIS.
Guests will be announced here later in the week at www.glenndavissoccer.com
The show streams live on the internet at MLSNET.com, HoustonDynamo.com and at 790thesportsanimal.com

*Looks like FRANK YALLOP has pulled off a good one as the signing of BOBBY CONVEY from READING looks to happen.
CONVEY has not been playing in ENGLAND and with his return would provide the EARTHQUAKES with the ability to use him wide in midfield.
SO does this mean ARTURO ALVAREZ stays up front in the role of withdrawn forward? Great pick-up since RONNIE O”BRIEN was not re-signed.

*DYNAMO fans got an instant hero in good guy ZACH WELLS with his performance in CONCACAF a few seasons ago.
Moving to DC UNITED last year, Well’s was expected to take off as a number one with UNITED last year replacing TROY PERKINS.
Word has it that Wells pack his car and is driving across country to Southern California.
Wells has been slow to recover from foot surgery according to an article in the Washington Post.

*Speaking of great rivalry and not to let this one slip by but EVERTON and LIVERPOOL play today in an F.A. Cup fourth round replay.
This is another of the great rivalry games in England. The match will be played at Goodison Park and will feature U.S. goalkeeper TIM HOWARD.
LIVERPOOL will be brimming with confidence after their 2-0 win over CHELSEA.