LAS VEGAS — The United States and Mexico will renew their raging men’s soccer rivalry here Thursday with many of the same central characters who clashed in tournaments, qualifiers and friendlies for years on end. In that sense, the Concacaf Nations League semifinal at Allegiant Stadium will look familiar.
But for this ninth meeting in five years — one that will determine a place in Sunday’s final against Canada or Panama — a new protagonist has stepped onto the big stage. His teammates have prepped him for the mayhem of a showdown that brings out the best and worst of each side.