VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Striker Abby Wambach and her U.S. teammates have been waiting since October for Tuesday's clash with Mexico.
When the draw for CONCACAF Olympic women's qualifying was held, it pitted the North American neighbors against one another for what many thought would be - and has become - a game for first place in Group B.
It's a game that will determine who play the Group A champion and runner-up, either Canada or Costa Rica, in Friday's semifinals for a berth in the London Games.
But it will also be a chance for the United States to redeem itself from the one blemish on its record in 27 games against Mexico.
"It's important that everyone is firing on all cylinders when we play Mexico," Wambach said. "That's obviously the game that has been marked on our calendars this entire tournament.
"Whoever wins that game goes through out of our group in first place. That's going to be the most important thing. That's what we're thinking about and we're prepared for it."
The United States remembers - and few reporters will let it forget - the 2-1 victory Mexico earned in October 2010 in Cancun in the semifinals of CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying.
The result earned Mexico only its second trip to the World Cup, but it was a shock to the United States, who had won 24 of the 25 previous meetings and drew the other. It also forced the United States into an unexpected playoff with Italy to get the last berth in Germany.
The United States beat Mexico 1-0 on home turf in June, but that was a friendly immediately before the Women's World Cup.
In the past week in Vancouver, the United States has routed both the Dominican Republic (14-0) and Guatemala (13-0), and now has Mexico firmly on its mind.
"Absolutely," Wambach said. "We understand that 13-, 14-goal games can be looked down upon by some of our viewers, by our fans by fans of other countries. But the truth is that we didn't get our job done the last qualifying tournament and this is a statement that we are making to the rest of the world, we're making to our region, CONCACAF.
"We can't take any game for granted. We have to play hard, play physical and respect the game. That's why the results are the results that you have seen."
The United States needs only a draw to finish first, while the Mexicans a victory. The Americans have a superior goal difference (27-12).
Mexico coach Leonardo Cuellar, whose team also hasn't allowed a goal in its group stage matches (beating Guatemala 5-0 and the Dominican Republic 7-0), knows the Americans and the task well.
"They are the best in the world, a constant opponent that we have to face," he said.
While the Mexicans have made dramatic improvements in recent years, Cuellar still sees a great divide between his side and both the United States and Canada in terms of preparation.
"They are dedicated to the national teams," he said. "For us, we still have some players who go to school, that work. We are at a different level. So it's a big challenge for us for the next two matches. But I think the girls are hungry. The girls are humble. They want to give it a good try."
In June, at Red Bull Arena in the New York suburb of Harrison, New Jersey, the Americans beat Mexico on a goal in the 90th minute.
"We are closer to them, but we need to prove it again," Cuellar said.
The coaches had contrasting philosophies toward resting players in their second match of the group in preparation for the confrontation.
Cuellar used only two players against the Dominicans from the win over Guatemala, while Sundhage made six changes for her second game but included regulars Lauren Cheney, Megan Rapinoe, Christie Rampone and Wambach.
Cuellar figured that catching the United States on goal difference was unlikely, so he gave his reserves an opportunity to play and get some vital experience.
"I decided to give rhythm to the rest of the players," he said. "Also, it's a young team, so they need to experience these scenarios. What happened today give me a better idea of how I'm going to balance the next two games, who has responded well to the pressure. This is the first time they have come to this kind of tournament."
Given that the United States has outscored its opposition 27-0, Sundhage realized she will be challenged to select a starting 11.
"We look at each of them and see their performance and who is playing well with each other," she said. "Soccer is not only the 11 best players, it's about finding a good relationship with the starting lineup and looking at the bench and being comfortable with whomever we bring in. They have made it really hard for us and I'm really happy about that."
Sydney Leroux's impressive 5-goal record
VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- She was jeered in what she calls her hometown. It certainly did not deter striker Sydney Leroux in her second appearance with the U.S. national team on Sunday.
The 21-year-old Leroux, who hails from the Vancouver suburb of Surrey, scored five goals in the second half of the United States' 13-0 victory over Guatemala in the CONCACAF women's Olympic qualifying tournament. The Americans, who play Mexico to determine first place in their group on Tuesday, clinched a spot in Friday's semifinals.
For the second consecutive game, a U.S. forward tallied five second-half goals as Amy Rodriguez accomplished the feat in a 14-0 win over the Dominican Republic on Friday.
"This is a unique situation," U.S. coach Pia Sundhage said. "It is astounding, coming off the bench and scoring so many goals like Amy Rodriguez did the other day.
"I'm so proud and happy to be around this team because it just never happened before. So many goals, great goals. I'm happy for the team. I'm happy for Syd, today. It's quality, for sure."
Leroux, the first player taken in the Women's Professional Soccer draft (by the Atlanta Beat) earlier this month, joined am impressive list of players who have scored an American women's record of five goals in a game. That list also included Michelle Akers, Brandi Chastain, Abby Wambach and Tiffeny Milbrett.
After playing for several Canadian national youth teams, Leroux decided to play for the United States in 2008. She was criticized for her decision.
"I know that there's some people who don't respect my decision and some people who do. Not everyone's going to like you," she said. "I feel you have to have some enemies in life or else you're not doing something right. I'm happy. I'm happy where I am. I'm happy to wear this jersey."
For a good portion of the final 45 minutes, a section of Canadian fans continued to chant, "Judas!"
"I heard that some people were booing me, but after the fourth goal they stopped," she said
When told they continued, Leroux responded, "They should have."
With the Americans already leading 6-0, Leroux replaced Wambach at halftime. Barely three minutes after she stepped onto the BC Place field, Leroux converted, putting away an Alex Morgan feed. She also scored in the 51st, 57th, 70th and 87th minutes.
Leroux was gracious and deflected praise to her teammates.
"Of course, my teammates, they gave me some great balls and I put them away and did what I was supposed to do with them," she said. "It's been an amazing couple of weeks. I'm so blessed to be able to play with these girls. It has made me better every day. So, I give my thanks to them."
It certainly meant a lot accomplishing it in front of friends and family.
"It was so important to play in front of my mom and my family, my friends," she said. "I grew up here. To have them come and support me, it's pretty special."
Leroux could have had a sixth goal, but goalkeeper Maricruz Lemus denied her in a one-on-one situation in the penalty area in the 90th minute.
"I was thinking that I was going to slot it kind of near post, but usually in that situation I would do something different," she said. "But I tried a little something different out and it didn't work. It's OK. I have something to look forward to in years to come."
Wambach tallied the first two goals of the match, surpassing Germany's Brigit Prinz (128 goals) for third-most in women's soccer history behind retired Americans Mia Hamm (158) and Kristine Lilly (130).
"By her 20th game she should reach my level," Wambach said. "I think that it's awesome. I don't know why it has happened, but me, Amy Rodriguez, and now Sydney have all scored five goals in the second half. A special player.
"Before she went on, I told her, start scoring goals for this country. These are the first of five goals of many, many more to come."
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