Instead, it'll be intense humidity and possible thunderstroms. Haha. I'm tired of this smog and/or elevation argument. Most capital cities are smog infested. And this elevation? Get over it. Look at the 1970 and 1982 World Cups. Considered among the best in history. Sven Goran Eriksoon is also upset that the game is in Chiapas.

I agree with Blanco on this one. The Azteca is the home to el Tri. Just like El Monumental for Argentina, Wembley for England, and the Maracana for Brazil. Wasn't the Home Depot Center supposed to be home to the USMNT when that stadium opened up?

Strange, but it's not as if the Mexican Federation always makes sense. Look at their last manager.

haha. good one Keeper, that got me laughing

It just makes sense for El Tri to play all their home games at the Azteca. It is without a doubt the highest quality venue in Mexico, it has great history and atmosphere,

As for the U.S. playing all its home games in the Home Depot Center, it would deprive the USSF an opportunity to build the game more in other parts of the country. It's not like it's easy to get from NYC to LA to watch a game. Hell, just getting from SF to LA can take five or six hours. Whereas 20% of Mexico's total population lives in the metro area surrounding Mexico City, the U.S.'s population base is still to the East.

Shouldn't their home stadium be any within Mexican borders? He's just saying that b/c he wants to be in D.F. to be celebrated by America fans.

Even with the altitude advantage, Mexico isn't going anywhere any time soon. As the old saying about Mexican football goes: 'Siempre mejorando, siempre el mismo resultado' 'Always improving, always the same results.' That'd be Mexico, no matter who their next coach is or where they play.

I agree with Big Chaco and j11. El Tri should play the majority if not all with the exception of friendlies at the Azteca, it's the biggest, nicest and loudest arena Mexico has and the capacity is pretty insane not to mention the history. But i guess when money is involved, nothing else matters.
I think it is a little different for the USMNT, I don't know that they have a dedicated venue as large as the Azteca that is dedicated to Futbol, which is part of the strides the sport is making here. It is nice to see that wherever they go there is support for the team.

Economic interests? Doesn't Azteca hold like 90,000?
Regardless...this makes a lot of sense...yeah - move away from Azteca.
I would bet 100% of the other CONCACAF countries have the mindset that going into a match against Mexico, at Azteca, that it is going to be a loss.

Why would anyone ever want to move the location?

C'mon Mexico just got gifted an extra home game at the Azteca against Jamaica---which is ridiculous that the Reggae boys couldn't get a venue outside of Mexico.

Blanco is a whiner--hell of a talent but a whiner. Thery are playing Canada. They need to handle their business at whatever venue they play.

Zizou-I think it actually holds 100k and I would easily take the bet that 100 percent of teams thinks its going to be loss. I happen to be sitting in country and expects results on every away game including going to Azteca. You need to remember that Mexico isnt the giant in CONCACAF anymore.....

MSFC - if you are implying the US is the giant in CONCACAF...see last two games played...if you are saying what I think you are saying in that the US is the top team now; they are not. The top teams take the minnows and completely destroy them. For example - see Germany and what they did over the weekend. The US played a semi-pro Cuban team and won 1-0. I know, I know it was still a win but the top teams in the various confederations show it by beating up on the minnows.

I'll be at the T&T game in Chicago tomorrow and the US will somehow score 3 goals and I'll stop complaining that the US doesn't play attacking soccer for 5 days.

Jamaica didnt give them an extra home game. They'll have to return to 'The Office' in Kingston for the return leg. All they did was change the home and away schedule.

Thanks for clarifying rans I didn't know that. Cool---Kingston is always a tough place to play.

zizzou- it doesnt matter on the scoreline just so much as we get the result...

does it make ANY difference if we beat Cuba 5-0 or 1-0?? outside of breathing room during the game itself??

3 points is 3 points regardless of how many more you put up over your opponent

there is no 1 giant in CONCACAF.... there are 2 :P

Otergod - it does matter. Why? History. Past results in tournaments and any advancement has been a combination of doing the minimum to advance (4 points) AND luck (help from others to get to the 2nd round)...how is that possible? Because we don't have an attacking strategy...this is the time to figure out who the hell can finish. So yes, it matters. Don't leave anything to chance. Score multiple goals...keep the pressure up and don't give teams an opportunity to get a result.

I would bet Mexico doesn't have the strategy of playing for the draw on the road. History proves in the last few WCs that they make it out of the group play because they win games...not win one, draw one and pray someone else wins or loses.

Even with the altitude advantage, Mexico isn't going anywhere any time soon. As the old saying about Mexican football goes: 'Siempre mejorando, siempre el mismo resultado' 'Always improving, always the same results.' That'd be Mexico, no matter who their next coach is or where they play.

Well, i don't totally agree. mexico is a world class team who can beat anybody any day of the week. The problem is, like other CONCACAF nations, they can't win in Europe. They did well in 2002 as did the U.S. thanks to the location. Sven will help Mexico and I predict that Africa could go the way of SK/Japan in 2002. Good quote, I enjoyed that! Are you Mexican or a Tricolores supporter? Uh oh I said Tricolores. Some people might get mad that it's not English.

zizzou- what are you talking about?? outside of the person who finishes 1st in the group, the remaining 3 all depend on a bit of luck... hell even at the bottom of the group last WC, if we beat Ghana (with italy beating Czech) we wouldve moved on... same can be said about A LARGE NUMBER OF TEAMS...

the US has a LACK of offensive theats... yes i would love to see Cooper and Jozy and Adu get starts, but 2 of the three are settling into new areas and fighting for spots... so i dont mind them staying and growing since we have another 2 years till WC 2010... ON TOP OF THAT, we have Gold Cup, Confeds and Copa if invited to prove who deserves the chance at competitive levels....

by the way you describe the US, you are making us out as if we have the talent to go all the way in the WC... sorry, but even with our A++++++ squad we will still be underdogs in the WC....

Otergod - LOL...I know we are always underdogs with the rest of the world.
You brought up things I didn't address. I get that Jozy & Freddy were left off because of club considerations. AND I know there is still 2 years before 2010.

My point was - Mexico doesn't go on the road looking for only a draw. We do because for too long we've been the team with no chance of winning. Things have changed...there is talent. There was talent on the **** field against Cuba. But we win 1-0? COME ON!!! But the minnows away! That's all I'm saying. Do not leave anything to chance anymore!

AND - we all need to stop making excuses. The conditions were tough. Hello!!! When it comes to international competitions - conditions are ALWAYS tough.

Look - there is a reason Mexico has advanced to the 2nd round since the 1994 WC. And in 2006 - their group, Portugal had 9 pts, Mexico 4 and by the 3rd group play match against Portugal...it was already set those two were advancing.

As for the US - OK...let's say we beat Ghana - what would have happened if Czech Rep. had beat Italy - same result - out of the tourney.

Mexico has the mindset of attacking football...results show it. The US on the other hand has a defensive, play for the draw mindset...results speak for themselves. If you really looked at the standings going into 2nd round of past tourneys - I bet looking for help doesn't come up all that often.