One Eye on the Northern Hemisphere

Despite being only five days away from facing Italy, at least some of the attention of the group is turned back up north and the two big qualifying matches in CONCACAF. Reeling from two straight losses to Honduras and El Salvador, Mexico are no doubt thrilled to be back in the friendly confines of Estadio Azteca as the two bottom teams in the group face off in Mexico City. Honduras hosts El Salvador in what could be a big three point swing for either team, with the third-place visitors carrying five points into Francisco Morazan and the Catrachos sitting one point. Both matches kickoff at 9:30 p.m. ET.