Sven-Goran Eriksson has been sacked as Mexico boss following Wednesday’s World Cup qualifying defeat against Honduras.

Mexico’s 3-1 defeat to Honduras was their second in three qualifying matches and left them fourth in their six-team group.

If they stay fourth they will face the fifth-placed team from South America for a place in next year’s World Cup.

The former England manager was hired in June following his sacking as Manchester City manager last season.

Pressure on the 61-year-old Swede had been lifted temporarily with a convincing 2-0 win over Costa Rica on Saturday but Wednesday’s defeat resulted in his eight month reign being terminated.

Eriksson was linked with a move back to English football in February following Tony Adams’ sacking as Portsmouth coach.

Mexico’s poor form in their latest World Cup qualifying group came off the back of some bad results in the first phase of qualifying.

Mexico had won just once in seven matches following Wednesday’s defeat to Honduras.

In 2001 Eriksson became the first foreign manager to take charge of the England national team having previously coached club football in Italy and Portugal.

He spent five years at the helm as England manager leading them to three quarter-finals at major competitions before leaving his post after the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

After spending a year out of football he joined Manchester City in 2007 but spent just one season at the Premier League club.

In June 2006 Eriksson replaced Hugo Sanchez in the Mexico job, the legendary strikerhaving been sacked three months earlier.

BBC

LONDON (AP)—Defending champion Italy was held to a 1-1 draw by Ireland on Wednesday in World Cup qualifying.

European champion Spain, England and the Netherlands maintained their perfect records.

Robbie Keane scored off Caleb Folan’s header in the 89th minute to salvage a 1-1 draw for Ireland after Italy forward Giampaolo Pazzini was ejected in the third minute for elbowing John O’Shea while going up for a header, bloodying the Ireland defender’s face.

Vincenzo Iaquinta put Italy in front in the 10th minute, redirecting a pass that Fabio Grosso slid across the goalmouth.

The draw put Ireland two points behind Italy at the top of Group 8.

Spain got a late goal from Albert Riera to beat Turkey 2-1. Dirk Kuyt scored twice to lead the Netherlands over Macedonia 4-0, and John Terry put in the winning goal in the 85th minute to give England a 2-1 win over Ukraine.

Also, Germany maintained its four-point lead atop Group 4 with a 2-0 win at Wales, while Franck Ribery scored his second goal in five days against Lithuania to lead France to a 1-0 win in Group 7.

Spain trailed Turkey after Semih Senturk scored in the 26th minute, but Xabi Alonso equalized on a penalty kick in the 62nd after defender Ibrahim Uzulmez blocked the ball with his hand during a rough challenge just in front of the net.

Riera benefited from a gap in the Turkish defense to score in the second minute of injury time from a pass by Daniel Guiza to put the European champions six points ahead of Bosnia-Herzegovina in Group 5.

Bosnia-Herzegovina’s Edin Dzeko scored twice in a 2-1 win over Belgium. Estonia beat Armenia 1-0.

At Wembley Stadium, Peter Crouch’s goal put England ahead in the 29th minute, but substitute Andriy Shevchenko tied it in the 74th with a half-volley after the home side failed to clear a free kick.

Terry produced the late winner from close range after Steven Gerrard touched on David Beckham’s free kick.

“We were disappointed to concede a goal late on, but showed great character to come back and win the game, so there are some real positives,” Terry said. “There was some great fight and desire from the lads—`We’re not settling for 1-1’—and we went on to win the game.”

Also in Group 6, Belarus routed Kazakstan 5-1, and Croatia beat Andorra 2-0.

The Netherlands also took a major step toward qualifying for South Africa 2010 with its win in Group 9. The Dutch team has an eight-point lead over Scotland, which beat Iceland 2-1.

In Group 3, Poland routed San Marino 10-0 and remained three points behind leader Northern Ireland, which beat Slovenia 1-0. Poland has a game in hand.

Denmark and Hungary remained at the top of Group 1 after both won 3-0. But Denmark, which beat Albania, has played one game less than Hungary, which defeated Malta.

In Group 2, Dimitris Salpigidis and substitute Georgios Samaras scored a goal each to help Greece beat Israel 2-1 and remain even with Switzerland at the top of Group 2. The Swiss beat last-place Moldova 2-0.

The United States remained atop CONCACAF’s final round as Jozy Altidore became the youngest American with an international hat trick in a 3-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago. Making just his fourth international start, Altidore connected in the 13th, 71st and 89th minutes, all three times off passes from Landon Donovan.

Mexico fell at Honduras 3-1, with Carlo Costly scoring twice. Costa Rica beat El Salvador 1-0.

In South America, Argentina took its worst defeat in World Cup qualifying when it wilted 6-1 against Bolivia at high-altitude La Paz. The result eclipsed the 5-0 loss against Colombia in 1993 and ruined the early promise shown under coach Diego Maradona, who had earned three victories in three games with no goals allowed since he took over last November.

Joaquin Botero scored three times, in the 33rd, 56th and 66th minutes, for Bolivia in its first win against Argentina in 12 years.

Brazil moved into second place in South American qualifying with a 3-0 victory over Peru, one of the weaker teams in the region. The return to the lineup of star forward Kaka and the scoring of Luis Fabiano lifted the five-time world champions. Fabiano had two goals, one on a penalty kick after Kaka was fouled.

Edgar Benitez rescued Paraguay’s 1-1 draw with Ecuador with a last-second goal. Benitez, a substitute, made it 1-1 after latching onto a cross from Salvador Cabanas that caused confusion in front of the net. Ecuador’s goal after 63 minutes was by Cristian Noboa, who headed in Edison Mendez’s free kick.

Chile, playing most of the time one man down, held Uruguay to a 0-0 tie.

In Asian qualifying, Australia almost became the first to secure a place in South Africa by beating Uzbekistan 2-0. All the Aussies needed was for the Group A match between Bahrain and Qatar to end in a draw, but Fouzi Aaish’s curling free kick gave Bahrain a 1-0 win in Manama.

Also, South Korea beat North Korea 1-0 and Saudi Arabia defeated the United Arab Emirates 3-2.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)—Jozy Altidore made the most of his chance.

After sitting on the bench for European clubs during most of the season, the 19-year-old became the youngest American with an international hat trick, leading the United States over Trinidad and Tobago 3-0 in a World Cup qualifier on Wednesday night.

He was acquired by Spain’s Villarreal from Major League Soccer’s Red Bulls last June, scored one goal in six matches and then was loaned in January to second division Xerez.

“Anywhere you go, I think you have to learn that you have to earn it from Day 1, and it’s a tough lesson, I think, for a lot of young players to learn, including myself,” he said. “I think I’m finally understanding, you know, what’s needed to be successful there. It’s going to be a process. It’s a work in progress. It’s not going to happen overnight.”

Making just his fourth international start, Altidore connected in the 13th, 71st and 89th minutes, all three times off passes from Landon Donovan. He also scored as a substitute in the 77th minute last Saturday to start the U.S. comeback from a two-goal deficit in a 2-2 tie at El Salvador.

“He’s a player that, you know, we have known for a while is going to be a big part of our team going forward, but things need to be earned. Things need to come at the right time,” U.S. coach Bob Bradley said.

Bradley has six goals in nine international appearances. He eclipsed the mark for youngest hat trick set in 2004, when 20-year-old Eddie Johnson scored three times as a substitute in a 6-0 win over Panama in the semifinals of qualifying.

Teammates praised him, but made clear he’s just starting out.

“It’s one game, so let’s not get carried away,” Donovan said. “We’re happy for him, but there’s a lot of guys that have been doing that for a long time.”

The United States (2-0-1), seeking its sixth straight World Cup berth, leads the final round of North and Central American and Caribbean qualifying with seven points, followed by Costa Rica (2-1) with six after a 1-0 victory over El Salvador. Honduras (1-1-1) has four following a 3-1 win over visiting Mexico (1-2), which has three. El Salvador and T&T (both 0-1-2) have two points each.

The top three nations qualify, and No. 4 goes to a playoff.

“This is a big setback,” Trinidad’s Carlos Edwards said. “We need to polish up on our mistakes.”

Bradley made four lineup changes, inserting Altidore, goalkeeper Tim Howard, midfielder Pablo Mastroeni and defender Oguchi Onyewu. He dropped DaMarcus Beasley from midfield to defender in place of Heath Pearce.

“This is my first time ever playing left back for 90 minutes, so it was different,” Beasley said. “It’s not something I’ve ever thought about playing. But Bob asked me to play that position, and wherever he wants me on the field, I’ll play.”

Altidore was paired up front with Brian Ching. Donovan (left) and Clint Dempsey (right) were in advanced midfield roles.

“Jozy is more of a presence up there than Landon as far as physically, being able to win balls in the air and hold the ball up a little bit more,” Dempsey said. “I think Landon is a player that is better at going at people than playing with his back to goal.”

No. 75 Trinidad and Tobago had just one shot on goal against the world’s 17th-ranked team, Keon Daniel’s attempt on a rebound after a free kick bounced off a defensive wall in the 63rd minute.

“We just weren’t very good tonight,” Soca Warriors captain Dennis Lawrence said. “When you come to the U.S., and you don’t perform up to your capabilities, that’s the result you’re going to be leaving with.”

Before a pro-American crowd of 27,959 that was the largest to attend a soccer match in Tennessee, Howard returned from a one-game suspension for yellow cards. He sent a free kick right at Stern John in the sixth minute, but it bounced off the forward and went wide.

“I tried to catch it on a hop, but I ended up catching it when it was down,” Howard said. “Good think I hit it hard. Otherwise we could have been in danger. But those crazy things happen.”

Seven minutes later, Bocanegra played a long ball up the left to Ching. He headed it to Donovan, who chested the ball, then crossed to Altidore. He broke free of Aklie Edwards and beat goalkeeper Clayton Ince from 6 yards.

He got the second goal after taking a pass from Donovan and faking out Lawrence. On the final goal, Michael Bradley received a long pass and played the ball into the penalty area to Donovan, who bent it back to Altidore. His shot from 19 yards bounced in either off the hands of Ince or past the goalkeeper’s arms.

“On the first goal, I thought it was good movement by our team, a great ball in by Landon. All he had to do was put his foot in on it,” Dempsey said. “On his third goal, you know, he was a little bit lucky, getting under the keeper. I think the most impressive thing about Jozy tonight was his second goal. It just showed that it’s a world-class finish. And it’s just good that a player at his age is able to do those type of things.”

Notes

U.S. Soccer Federation president Sunil Gulati said letters will soon be going out to about 65 cities, stadium authorities and sports commissions inquiring about interest in hosting matches at the 2018 or 2022 World Cups, should the U.S. be awarded hosting rights next year.

Associated Press Writer Erik Schelzig contributed to this report.

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (AP)—Two goals down and 20 minutes from what would have been one of the worst defeats to a regional rival in years, the United States rallied for a dramatic draw.

Jozy Altidore started the comeback in the 77th minute and Frankie Hejduk scored the tying goal in the 88th, giving the Americans a 2-2 tie at El Salvador in a World Cup qualifier on Saturday night.

Brian Ching had a chance to win it for the United States seven minutes into injury time but was stopped on an open bicycle kick by defender Mardoqueo Henriquez.

“El Salvador played with a tremendous about of energy. It was our challenge to match it,” U.S. coach Bob Bradley said. “When we found ourselves behind, it took a great effort from our players to fight back and come away with a point. We prepared for this game knowing that El Salvador would be difficult. We found ourselves behind, and that was not part of the plan.”

Seeking its sixth straight World Cup berth, the United States (1-0-1) leads the final round of the North and Central American and Caribbean region with four points heading into Wednesday’s qualifier at Nashville, Tenn., against Trinidad and Tobago (0-0-2), which rallied at home for a 1-1 tie against Honduras (0-1-1).

Mexico and Costa Rica (1-1) are one point back following El Tri’s 2-0 victory over Costa Rica in Mexico City. El Salvador (0-0-2) has two points.

Altidore entered in the 61st minute and beat backup goalkeeper Juan Jose Gomez, who entered two minutes earlier after cramps felled Miguel Montes for the second time. Altidore scored on a header from 3 yards off a cross from Hejduk, who made an overlapping run and took a feed from Ching, who had taken a headed pass from Clint Dempsey.

“The ball came to the back post, and I was just at the right place at the right time,” said Altidore, who scored his three goal in eight international appearances. “I was just trying to put in on frame. When you are that close, you don’t have to place it that well.”

Hejduk scored his seventh international goal on an open 3-yard header—his first goal in qualifying since a 1996 match against Guatemala in El Salvador— after Landon Donovan’s corner kick bounded off defender Marvin Gonzalez.

“Typically at that point I don’t go up on corner kicks, but it was the dying moments,” Hejduk said. “I made a near post run and then ducked to the far post and no one was with me. I don’t know what happened, but the ball came to the back post and next thing you know it was on my head.”

The United States had been 13-1-4 vs. El Salvador, outscoring the Cuscatlecos 41-10. But Quintanilla, who had five goals in 27 games for Major League Soccer’s D.C. United in 2002-3, scored on a play that began with a giveaway by DaMarcus Beasley. Quintanilla got past the defense, took a pass from Osrael Romero and beat goalkeeper Brad Guzan, sliding the ball inside the far post.

Rodolfo Zelaya got past Beasley on the flank to create the second goal and crossed to the top of the penalty area, where Castillo got free of Hejduk and bounced a header past Guzan.

Guzan started in place of No. 1 goalkeeper Tim Howard, who picked up his second yellow card of qualifying for time-wasting during last month’s 2-0 victory over Mexico at Columbus, Ohio. The U.S. also was without central defender Oguchi Onyewu, who sprained a knee during training Wednesday and was replaced by Danny Califf.

Hejduk started his second straight qualifier at right back in place of Steve Cherundolo, still recovering from a hip injury.

Ching put the ball in the net for the United States in the 43rd minute, but as many as five Americans might have been caught by an offsides trap.

The United States had won its previous seven matches against El Salvador and had shut out the Cuscatlecos six straight times since 1997. The Americans had not even fallen behind El Salvador during a match in 16 years.

“We knew we had to fight back, and credit to the guys that we did it,” U.S. captain Carlos Bocanegra said. “With this team, we never feel like we are out of the game.”

Ranked just 106th in the world, El Salvador built a 2-0 lead against the No. 17 Americans before a boisterous crowd of 30,500 at Estadio Cuscatlan on goals by Eliseo Quintanilla in the 15th minute and Cristian Castillo in the 72nd.

Last night’s CONCACAF Champions League also was on schedule, as the Montreal Impact hosted Mexican side Santos Laguna.  The Impact, who hosted the match inside the city’s Olympic Stadium- built for the 1976 summer games, finished their USL 2008 season in 3rd, while winning the Voyageurs Cup.  The French- Canadian side had to beat out both the Vancouver Whitecaps and MLS side Toronto FC to represent Canada in the tourney.

Having seen average attendance rise steadily over the past 13 years, the Impact were used to playing infront of no more than 12,000 per home game, however it seemed as if the added 40,000 added some much needed support. 

Taking the lead only five minutes from the start, Eduardo Sebrango scored for the 1-0 as he finished off a well played passing sequence with Roberto Brown.  The match was finally put away in the 77th as Oswaldo Sanchez was beaten for the 2nd time by Sebrango after a Nevio Pizzolitto was flicked on by Brown.

Montreal will now travel to Mexico on March 5 to finish out the best of two series in Torreon.

Peter Herrnreiter

With FIFA declaring the midweek a time for international matches, friendlies and World Cup qualifiers, some head turning matches were played the world over.  Here is a recap of the major eye catchers:

Norway 1-0 Germany

In quite possibly the most surprising result of the midweek schedule, minnows Norway played the German national side to a very impressive 1-0 upset result.  Having played the match at the LTU Arena in Dusseldorf the Germans were quite the favourites, not to mention that Norwat have not won a single match in 2008, nor have they beaten the Germans since 1963.  The match opened with a number of German opportunities, however it was the Vikings who controlled the match from about the 22nd minute marker onwards.  Germany was unluck not to be awarded a penalty before the half, however a flury of changes gave them a new lease on life until the 68th when Norway took the 1-0 lead.  Christian Grindheim capitalized off a throw to tap in the winner.  Germany face Liechtenstein on March 28 in Leipzig.

Ireland 2-1 Georgia

Sitting three points behind Group 8 leaders Italy, Ireland wee keen on sitting on equal terms with the reigning world champions after their encounter with Georgia.  Unfortuntely for the Irish, a critical error on behalf of Stephen Kelly allowed the Georgians to take an astoundingly early lead inside the first minute through Karlsruher striker Alexander Iashvili, assisted by David Siradze.  For the remainder of the half however, it was very much an even affair with both sides having chances.  The climax came in the 72nd minute as the referee blew for what appeared to be a hand ball by Lobjanidz in the area, giving Robbie Keane a penalty for the 1-1.  And it was only a further 6 minutes before Keane turn hero as he hit corss via a diving header to give the Greens the 2-1.  Ireland will face Bulgaria on March 28.

Spain 2-0 England

An England side missing the likes of Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand were no match for the number 1 rakned side in the world as Spain saw the Three Lions off in Sevilla 2-0.  Having extended their unbeaten run to 29 matches, Spain were able to frustrate the England midfield and numers passes did not find their intended recipients as Xavi and Andrés Iniesta were abel to run riot with the assurance that the back four were to stand tall.  Being given the early chance, England’s Gabriel Agbonlahor was able to put a shot on net in the early goings on.  As the England defense played well to begin, Spain seemed a bit frustrated, however it was David Villa on 36 minutes that gave the home side the 1-0.   A few good chances from both sides saw David Beckahm enter for his 108th cap, though even he was not able to stem the Spanish tide, as Fernando Llorente  put Spain 2-0 up for the win.  Spai will face Turkey next on March 28, while Enlgand will play Slovakia in London on the same day.

Argentina 2-0 France

Wednesday’s match between two of soccer’s giants was indeed a tale of two managers.  Former Argentine international and legend Diego Maradona took the reigns of the national side not long ago and has already been making waves with his good run of form.  On the other side, French manager Raymond Domenech is worlds apart after being criticized in the media for months following France’s poor Euro 2008 performance, even drawing heat from French President Nicolas Sarkozy.  The majority of the chances fell to Les Bleus and they tended to dominate in much of the first half, however a Jonas Gutierre strike on 40 minutes would give the Argentines a 1-0 lead.  Waves of quick counter attacks from both sides followed in the 2nd half as the intensity and spirit seemed fitting of an FA Cup match, much less an friendly.  Te final blow was finally delivered by Lionel Messi in the 82nd through a rocket past Steven Mandanda.  Argentina will face Venezuela on March 28, while France will face Lithuania in Kaunas the same day.

USA 2-0 Mexico

For many, atleast for those who are rading this post, the match of the day was without a doubt the World Cup qualifier between cross border rivals Mexico and the USA.  Having been prompted to the final stage of the regional round, both sides needed to earn the full three points in hopes of starting their final run at South Africa 2010 strongly.  Being outmanned, outplayed and outgunned for the full 90 minutes, temper flared as the sides entered the lockerrooms after the full 90, however with good reason.  As much of the first half was marred by a number of questionable plays and a very lax American midfield, it was the coach’s kid Michael Bradley who would rescue the Eagles on both occasions.  The first, coming in the 43rd minute was a direct result of a fumbled USA corner that allowed the Monchengladbach forward to slot home the ball from only meters out.   It wold not take long however for tempers to flare on the field as well.  In the 65th minute Rafael Marquez was sent home via a terrible challenge on keeper Tim Howard.  The US was then able to capitalize on the man advantage as Bradley once again scored in injury time through an 18 yard strike.  The US will now sit in first in their group, tied on points with Costa Rica who blanked Honduras by the same scoreline.

And for the rest of the scores from Wednesday’s action around the globe:

Peter Herrnreiter

Just as the German national side literally prayed for poor weather prior to their 1954 World Cup final match against Hungary, so to will the US side pray for a bit of help from the weather.   It has been well documented that the USA/ Mexico rivalry has been heated and made for some historic games, though on the heels of a World Cup birth, both sides are looking for an advantage going into their next matches.  If the USA wants to take full home field advantage, they will with out a doubt need to hope for a downpour to off throw their southern rivals.

In a six team group, the USA is hands down favourite to qualify in first position.  With matches against Mexico and Costa Rico being the statistical and tangible problem spots, the USA Eagles should make short work of the groups other sides, such as Trinidad and Tobago, El Salvador and Honduras. In this first round tie however, the USA will face a Mexican side that has been rattled by both injury and suspension.  Hoping to take advantage of a very promising situation, the US would be keen on taking all three points from this encounter.

Speaking to ESPN, US keeper Tim Howard noted, “There is so much tension surrounding the game that you can see it- see it in our eyes- see it in their eyes.  You know, neither team walks on the field and pretends as if this is business as usual.  It is a different game and I think the atmosphere is incredible.”

Winning zero matches from ten and going 0-8-2 in all games played stateside this decade, which many believe is a direct result of the diverse weather conditions faced up north, Mexico has much to prove.  Though, being this historical underdog, El Tri seems to actually be off the hook, as it would seem that the pressure has mounted itelf solely on the laps of the American players.  Having homefield advantage might be a massave difference for most clubs, however Mexico will look to captialize on any chances that they might just receive and would be willing to take even a single point fro this encounter.

Also noteworthy is the fate of Swedish coach Sven-Goran Eriksson , who was named manager of the Mexican side this summer and has been under the gun due to their poor performcnces.  Many have said that this match will make or break the former England manager’s fate oging into the final leg of the campaign.

If the weather report for Columbus is to believed,  the Red White and Blue might have something to cheer about, as the man upstairs might rain on their parade- a rain that is most welcome.

Rosters for Wednesday’s game:

USA

GOALKEEPERS: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton FC)
DEFENDERS: Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Danny Califf (FC Midtjylland), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC)
MIDFIELDERS: DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers),
Michael Bradley (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew), José Francisco Torres (Pachuca)
FORWARDS: Jozy Altidore (Xerez), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Charlie Davies (Hammarby IF) Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC), Landon Donovan (Bayern Munich)

MEXICO

GOALKEEPERS: Oswaldo Sánchez (Santos Laguna), Guillermo Ochoa (Club América), José de Jesús Corona (Tecos)
DEFENDERS: Juan Carlos Valenzuela (Club América), Julio César Dominguez (Cruz Azul), Carlos Salcido (PSV Eindhoven), Ricardo Osorio (VFB Stuttgart), Rafael Marquez (FC Barcelona), Aaron Galindo (Guadalajara), Leobardo López (Pachuca)
MIDFIELDERS: Fausto Pinto (Cruz Azul), Pável Pardo (Club América), Leandro Augusto (Pumas), Luis Perez (Monterrey), Israel Martinez (San Luis), Antonio Naelson (Toluca)
FORWARDS: Alberto Medina (Guadalajara), César Villaluz (Cruz Azul), Giovanni Dos Santos (Tottenham Hotspur), Matías Vuoso (Santos Laguna), Carlos Ochoa (Guadalajara), Nery Castillo (Shakhtar Donetsk), Guillermo Franco (Villarreal), Omar Bravo (Deportivo La Coruña)

Peter Herrnreiter

FIFA.com Wednesday 11 February 2009-  After a slow start to the year, things have started to pick up with a total of 57 ‘A’ matches being played since the last FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking in January. With none of the top teams taking part in any of these matches, however, there have been no changes within the top 10 this month. Spain still lead by a clear margin, followed by Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Brazil and Argentina. Newly ranked within the top 20 are Romania, who have gained four places (17th, up 4).

Of the 57 matches played, 26 were friendlies, while 31 were qualifying matches for continental championships - 14 played in the CONCACAF region and 17 in the AFC region. The UNCAF Nations Cup had a big impact on the top 50 this month, with the two finalists - Costa Rica (38th, up 9) and Panama (50th, up 33) - moving up the ranks. Making history, Panama not only secured their first victory in this competition, but also succeeded in gaining a place among the world’s 50 best teams for the first time.

Notable winners outside the top 50 include Bahrain (74th, up 15), Benin (81st, up 18), Bermuda (116th, up 15) and Nicaragua (132nd, up 50). Qualifying for the CONCACAF Gold Cup for the first time ever, Nicaragua are the biggest movers this month, securing their highest placing since the inception of the FIFA/ Coca-Cola World Ranking, together with Australia (27th, up 2), Gambia (73rd, up 2) and Montenegro (111th, up 2).

Courtesy FIFA Media

Soccer United Marketing along with the Mexican Soccer Federation and the Colorado Rapids have announced a deal that would bring the Mexican national side to Colorado to face Bolivia in a friendly on March 11.

Facing each other in Mexico’s last test before kicking off its World Cup qualifying campaign, the two sides will meet at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado.

A week long presale for Visa Card holders the match will begin today and run until the tickets are open to the public and range from $25 to $75 a piece.

This will be the second match of Mexico’s sixth annual tour of the US.  On January 28 Mexico faced Sweden in Oakland only to achieve a disappointing 1-0 loss.

Mexico’s first World Cup qualifying match will be played in Mexico City on March 28 against Costa Rica.

Peter Herrnreiter