[WORLD CUP 2010 QUALIFYING] Like it did in qualifying for the 2002 World Cup, the USA opens at home against archrival Mexico in the final round of World Cup 2010 qualifying. For the complete Hexagonal schedule ...

USA Schedule
Feb. 11 -- Mexico
March 28 -- El Salvador
April 1 -- Trinidad & Tobago
June 3 -- Costa Rica
June 6 -- Honduras
Aug. 12 -- Mexico
Sept. 5 -- El Salvador
Sept. 9 -- Trinidad & Tobago
Oct. 10 -- Honduras
Oct. 14 -- Costa Rica

The USA and Mexico are joined by Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, and Trinidad & Tobago in the 10-game Hexagonal from which the top three teams automatically advanced to the World Cup in South Africa. The fourth-place team will compete in a two-game playoff to be held Nov. 14 and Nov. 18 against the fifth-place finisher in South American qualifying.

In 2001, the USA opened with a 2-0 victory against Mexico in Columbus, Ohio. The teams returned in September 2005 when the Americans again won, 2-0, to clinch a berth in the 2006 finals.

The Americans have played Mexico in February in 2007 (2-0 win) and 2008 (2-2 tie). They are undefeated in their last 10 home games against Mexico, compiling an 8-0-2 record since 2000.

The USA also finished the Hexagonal at home on Oct. 14. The schedule was set up to include four double dates in addition to single games in February and August. Its game at Costa Rica was moved forward a week to accommodate the USA's participation at the Confederations Cup in South Africa.

The United States has qualified for five consecutive World Cup finals. It has lost only one home qualifier since 1985 -- a 3-2 loss to Honduras in 2001.

2009 Hexagonal Schedule
Wednesday, Feb. 11
Costa Rica-Honduras
El Salvador-Trinidad and Tobago
USA-Mexico

Saturday, March 28
Mexico-Costa Rica
Trinidad and Tobago-Honduras
El Salvador-USA

Wednesday, April 1
Costa Rica-El Salvador
USA-Trinidad and Tobago
Honduras-Mexico

Wednesday, June 3
Costa Rica-USA

Saturday, June 6
Trinidad and Tobago-Costa Rica
El Salvador-Mexico
USA-Honduras

Wednesday, June 10
Mexico-Trinidad and Tobago
Honduras-El Salvador

Wednesday, Aug. 12
Honduras-Costa Rica
Trinidad and Tobago-El Salvador
Mexico-USA

Saturday, Sept. 5
Costa Rica-Mexico
Honduras-Trinidad and Tobago
USA-El Salvador

Wednesday, Sept. 9
El Salvador-Costa Rica
Trinidad and Tobago-USA
Mexico-Honduras

Saturday, Oct. 10
Costa Rica-Trinidad and Tobago
Mexico-El Salvador
Honduras-USA

Wednesday, Oct. 14
USA-Costa Rica
Trinidad and Tobago-Mexico
El Salvador-Honduras