Cincinnati chosen to host upcoming USA, Mexico World Cup Qualifier

CINCINNATI — A traditional fixture between regional rivals every World Cup cycle is staying in Ohio, but a new home was selected for the 2021 edition.

Cincinnati’s TQL Stadium will host the United States Men’s National Team game against Mexico November 12, U.S. Soccer, FC Cincinnati, and city leaders announced Wednesday.

In previous World Cup qualifying campaigns Columbus was the host site for this fixture between the two rival nations looking to claim spots in the upcoming world tournament.

However, this time around the game moves south on I-71 to the home of one of the Columbus Crew’s biggest rivals, FC Cincinnati. Both Columbus and Cincinnati opened up brand new, state-of-the-art stadiums for the 2021 Major League Soccer season.

“When you talk about great rivalries in our sport, USA-Mexico is one of the best,” U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Gregg Berhalter said. “We are fortunate to have so many great venue options in this country, and for this match Cincinnati ticks all the boxes.”

“This is a special game that requires a special atmosphere, and we know it’s one that Cincinnati will provide.”

The original Crew Stadium, opened in 1999, was the first soccer-specific stadium built in the United States. Historic Crew Stadium had hosted the last five World Cup Qualifying matches between the U.S. and Mexico, dating back to 2001. The last WCQ between the U.S. and Mexico not played in Columbus was 1997 when the qualifer for the 1998 World Cup was played in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

U.S. Soccer had a great run of success against Mexico in Columbus, winning 2-0 in each of the 2001, 2005, 2009, and 2013 games. But in the 2017 game, Mexico won 2-1 in Columbus, ending the streak known to U.S. fans as “Dos a Cero.”

For FC Cincinnati and TQL Stadium, Wednesday’s announcement was huge for the club in the stadium’s inaugural year.

“This match is the culmination of years of planning and hard work,” Jeff Berding, FC Cincinnati President said in a press release. “We had a vision to build a stadium that was not only home to FC Cincinnati matches, but also a premier destination for world-class events. This is one of the biggest matches in North America, and we are proud to play host to all of the fans that will be in attendance.”

Information on the ticket distribution process can be found here on the U.S. Soccer’s website.

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