MLS SOCCER: MEXICO VS. ICELAND
MARK RALSTON/Getty ImagesRob BlanchetteFeatured ColumnistFebruary 8, 2017
Mexico meet Iceland in the Las Vegas Valley, Nevada, as the two nations face off in friendly competition on Wednesday.
El Tri have provided a strong squad for their first contest of 2017 against one of the surprise packages of UEFA Euro 2016.
Heimir Hallgrimsson"s men have achieved astonishing success in the past two years, and despite being one of Europe"s smallest nations, they pack a serious punch as they box well above their weight class.
Here is how you can watch the friendly:
Date: Wednesday, Feb. 8
Time: 10.06 p.m. ET/ 3.06 a.m. GMT (Thursday morning)
Venue:Sam Boyd Stadium, Whitney, Nevada, United States
TV: Univision Deportes USA
Stream:Univision NOW
RONALDO SCHEMIDT/Getty Images
Giovani dos Santos andRafa Marquez both make the trip to Las Vegas for the Mexicans.
Iceland have had phenomenal success in recent times and will be a serious threat to Mexico in the United States.
Despite the match being played on neutral territory, the encounter will feel like a home match for the Mexicans, as many of their fans will likely populate the stands.
Heimir Hallgrimsson (right).Catherine steenkeste/getty imagesmexico have
a packed calendar awaiting them, with theConfederations Cup, Gold Cup and World Cup qualifiers all to come for El Tri.Tom Marshallof ESPN FC reported managerJuan Carlos Osorio has opted for a largely experienced squad for the friendly but has called up Monterrey stopper Hugo Gonzalez, America defender Edson Alvarez and Atlas" Luis Reyes into his setup for the first time.
The match falls outside of an official FIFA international date, meaning European clubs do not have to release their players for the game, according to Marshall.
NELSON ALMEIDA/Getty ImagesGilbert Manzano of theLas Vegas Review-Journalreported the contest could have a record attendance for a soccer match in Las Vegas after 22,000 tickets were sold at theSam Boyd Stadium, according to Gabriel Gabor,who represents the communications department of Major League Soccer.
Gabor said:"We are on our way to one of the largest soccer crowds in the history of the city."
The record is 29,152, which was set in 2012 when Cristiano Ronaldo"s Real Madrid took on Santos Laguna.
Discussing Mexico"s options for the starting XI in Nevada,Marshallsaid he feltAlan Mendoza should be given a shot:
Mendoza is Mexican, left-footed and playing regular first-division football. That trio of attributes immediately catapults him into national team contention given that so few other players combine them. The fact that the versatile Mendoza has been playing at full-back -- a problem position for El Tri -- only strengthens his case.
The contest will give both teams the chance to test their options ahead of the upcoming international matches scheduled for major tournaments.
Dos Santos has continued to impress during his spell in the Major League Soccer with L.A. Galaxy, andOsorio is likely to look towards the 27-year-old for inspiration in this match and for the campaign ahead.
Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2691509-mexico-vs-iceland-date-time-live-stream-and-tv-schedule-for-2017-friendly
