Oh, there were all sorts of places US Soccer could have booked for the national team's upcoming 2018 World Cup qualifier against Mexico. But why mess with a good thing?
Get ready, Columbus: the rivalry that spawned "Dos a Cero" is coming back to Ohio for the fifth straight qualifying cycle, with the US and El Tri squaring off Nov. 11 at MAPFRE Stadium in the Hexagonal stage opener for both sides, as confirmed by US Soccer on Monday.
The United States has taken all four of those previous meetings, all by the scoreline of -- what else? -- 2-0.
"It means a lot to us to play Mexico in Columbus," USMNT head coach Jurgen Klinsmann said, in the USSF statement announcing the confirmed venue. "Columbus is for us what Azteca Stadium is for them. It's a game where emotions will go through the roof, and we need to have our crowd behind us bringing their voice against our biggest rival. We know they will. Columbus will rock."
Kickoff time has yet to be determined for the match, which will be broadcast live on FS1 and Univision. US Soccer will use a weighted ticket lottery system in anticipation of high demand, with individual applicants limited to four tickets and allowed to apply only once. The application link for members of the public can be found here, with the application window opening on Sept. 23 and closing at 2 p.m. ET on Sept. 29.
If additional seats can be added at MAPFRE, home of Columbus Crew SC, fans who are unsuccessful in the initial public draw will automatically be entered in any second-chance drawing.
