One of the most anticipated matches of the weekend takes place in Columbus, Ohio, when the United States and Mexico butt heads. The winner secures passage to Germany.

USA (5-0-1, 15 pts – 2nd) v. Mexico (5-1-0, 16 pts – 1st)

When: 7:30 pm ET, Saturday, September 3, 2005

Where: Crew Stadium, Columus, OH, USA

It’s here. The date almost every fan of the United States and Mexico had circled on their calendars when the Hexagonal qualifying schedule was put together. The winner of this CONCACAF Super Clasico can say with finality that they are going to Germany.

Mexico bested the U.S. back in March 2-1 at home, which is not surprising considering the Americans have never tasted victory and only taken one rare draw south of the border. But to quote the Monkee’s: that was then and this is now.

As if the prospects of the match itself were not enough to stir up emotions, Mexico’s manager, Ricardo LaVolpe, slung plenty of locker room fodder across the media waves this week and scoffed at any notion that the U.S. is superior.

“Ha. Well they didn’t demonstrate it in the last game and in Olympic qualifying they ate up four goals.

LaVolpe also questioned the American style of play that eliminated Mexico from the last World Cup.

“They always only go for the counterattack. One has to criticize their style of play because it’s ugly. We already know how the U.S. plays,” said LaVolpe. “They base their soccer on organization and they kick long balls to try to create danger on a counterattack.”

The usually brash U.S. manager, Bruce Arena, meantime was surprisingly reserved in his comments during a midweek conference call, deciding not to mince words.

“Obviously we look forward to the game on Saturday for a couple of reasons. Mexico is certainly and arguably our biggest rival in CONCACAF and that always makes for a good game,” said Arena.

From a personnel standpoint the U.S. has a very strong side available for selection. Premiership-based captain Claudio Reyna and veteran Fulham striker Brian McBride are in fine form heading into Saturday’s match, and the American defense will be boosted by the return of Fulham defender Carlos Bocanegra from injury. Another player whom many will be eager to see take the pitch is young Eddie Johnson, who was held scoreless in Mexico. The FC Dallas forward is still making his way back to international fitness levels, but his innate ability simply to score goals could see him partnered in a three-pronged attack with McBride and the player everyone in Mexico loves to hate: Landon Donovan.

Rivalries, controversies, harsh words aside, both teams are sure to offer up a Saturday night feast from Crew Stadium.