Aguirre warns against overconfidence vs. US

MEXICO CITY — Mexico coach Javier Aguirre is warning his players against overconfidence in next week’s World Cup qualifying game against the United States at 105,000-seat Azteca Stadium.

Though Mexico is struggling to reach next year’s World Cup in South Africa, it is coming off a dominating 5-0 victory over the U.S. in the Gold Cup final.

However, both teams were without many of their top players in that match, so Aguirre is telling his team to forget the result.

“In Mexico we’re prone to throw ourselves on the floor after a loss and later feel very good after victories,” said Aguirre, who opened training camp in Mexico City on Wednesday with 12 players. He will have 20 by Monday.

The major question mark is Barcelona defender Rafael Marquez, who is to arrive Monday. He’s coming off left knee surgery and is not expected to play.

“We have to find a happy balance,” Aguirre said. “It’s not easy. It’s a temptation to be very up — or very down.”

Mexico will be favored in the Aug. 12 match. The Americans have never won a match at Azteca Stadium, and the altitude of 7,400 feet bothers visiting teams.

The Americans have only two days of training — Monday and Tuesday in Miami — and then arrive late Tuesday for Wednesday’s afternoon kickoff.

Mexico needs the victory more than the United States if it expects to reach the World Cup.

Midway through qualifying, Costa Rica leads the North and Central America and Caribbean region with 12 points, followed by the U.S. with 10. Honduras has 7, Mexico 6, El Salvador 5 and Trinidad and Tobago with 2.

The top three advance automatically to South Africa. The No. 4 teams faces the No. 5 from South America for another berth.

Aguirre said that none of the Americans who played in the Gold Cup loss would be starting against Mexico.

“Perhaps we’ll have a similar team,” said Aguirre, who has selected 12 members of the Gold Cup squad for the game with the United States.