Mexico and the U.S. will look to continue their paths toward World Cup qualification on Tuesday as they take on two tough opponents in their respective groups.

For the U.S., Guatemala will come calling in a game that has huge ramifications in the standings. Meanwhile, Mexico, who are in first, will play Canada, who follow closely in the standings to this point.

U.S., Guatemala Duke It out for Qualification Positioning

Guatemala has three points in two matches, while the Americans sit in a tie with Trinidad and Tobago in their group through two matches with four points. Trinidad gets to take on Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the group punching bag, who have conceded 10 goals in two games. Trinidad is a virtual shoo-in to get three points in this game, meaning that the loser of the U.S.-Guatemala game could easily be on the outside looking in halfway through the qualification round.

Making matters more complicated for the Americans is that they are playing on the road in rather hostile territory. This is undoubtedly the key to success for Guatemala. While the Americans might be the more experienced and undoubtedly more skilled side, Guatemala is playing at home. The U.S. has not been particularly worried about playing in Guatemala, but this U.S. side has often struggled away from home in qualifiers.

The U.S. actually drew Guatemala 1-1 the last time these teams met in Qualifiers back in 2014 ,and the U.S. dropped points, including a loss against Jamaica, in two of its three road games in the first round of qualification. In the second round, the hexagonal state, the team went 2-1-2 on the road. This year, the team has already drawn against Trinidad and could be fragile enough to drop some more points in Guatemala. Guatemala needs to pressure the U.S. midfield early and often to stop the Americans from getting into a comfortable rhythm. Playing a rough game might not hurt either, as the Guatemalans could get into the minds of opponents who generally stay away from the rough stuff.

A win for Guatemala likely puts the U.S. in third place if Trinidad wins its match. The U.S. then has to play two of three at home to finish out the group stage, but the team faces a precarious situation if it drops any points thereafter. A draw puts the U.S. in the driver's seat, with Guatemala only playing one more qualifier at home in the final three.

Mexico and Canada Fight for First

The Mexicans have been utterly dominant to start the Qualifiers with five goals scored and none allowed across two games. The team has six points, and another win would give it one foot into the next round with little to worry about, as they play two of the final three at home.

For Canada, the situation is a bit more complicated. Despite two solid results thus far, the Canadians are still seen as underdogs in this group and will need to put on a respectable effort against Mexico. While home advantage is key to Canadian success, the team needs to clog the center of the pitch and pressure Mexico's talented midfield. A passive "parking the bus" approach will only give Mexico the time and space they need to unlock the Canadian defense. The talent gap is huge, so only a strong strategy can help the Canadians keep this game locked down. While Canada should not play for a draw, getting one point out of this encounter would be huge, as it would guarantee the team remains in second place heading into next week's match in Honduras.

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