TODAY’S MATCH

the country they were born in.

The rivalry heats up again today when the U.S. and Mexico play in a crucial World Cup Qualifying match at Columbus Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. Bars and restaurants across the Valley where soccer fans gather will be packed wallto-wall.

“This is the big one,” said Paul Flores, a 29-year-old Mexico fan who lives in Anthem. “I think this is different from most rivalries. You have friends and family who are fans of your When: 4:40 p.m. Where: Columbus (Ohio) Crew Stadium. TV: ESPN. team, but you also have friends and family who are fans of your rivals.”

Bragging rights are always

on the line, but this particular match is considered the most important of any of the previous 61 meetings. The U.S. can earn a berth to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil with a win. Mexico, on the other hand, is reeling. It is fourth in the six-team standings of the final CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying round with three matches left. Only the the top three teams earn an automatic berth to Brazil next summer. The fourth-placed team will have to face the top qualifier in the Oceania region (New Zealand) in a playoff.

Mexico, the former king of CONCACAF, lost to Honduras last Friday, just its second-ever World Cup Qualifying loss at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. It was a result that led to the firing of its coach, Jose Manuel de la Torre. Adding to Mexico's anxiety is its recent three-match losing streak to the U.S. in World Cup qualifiers on U.S. soil; all were by a 2-0 scoreline and all were played in Columbus.

“If the U.S. wins (today), it would be the final blow to the Mexico's state of mind,” said U.S. fan Anthony Martinez, 29, of Chandler. “If it (the Mexican team) loses, Mexico might blow up. Azteca might fall down from all the crushing disappointment. If the U.S. earn their ticket to Brazil against Mexico, it's probably the most satisfying way to do it.”

Even before this drama built up, local soccer fans had circled today's date on their calendar. Tony Hernan-