Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 15, 2016 – USA are in a four-way tie with Brazil, France and Canada for a place in the quarterfinals, making their match with Mexico a must-win.
It has been a mixed bag from the Americans in terms of results. They had a terrible start, losing to Italy and Canada before picking up the pace to stun the hosts and clinch their first win of the tournament. They added a win over France on Saturday but they will need to continue their upward curve if they want any chance of making the next round.
Mexico are yet to register a win, a sole set victory their only reward in Rio. But they have a chance to send the 2015 World Cup winners home early for the first time since Sydney 2000.
However, to do that they will need to defy history as the side has never beaten its northern neighbours on the global stage.