At 3pm local time, Mexico City, Wednesday August 12th, 2009, the USA National Mens Soccer Team will find out if they are contenders or posers. The US Mens National team is 0-22-1 lifetime in Estadio Azteca Staduim. It was 1997 that the “1,” a 0-0 draw, created the only highlight for the US squad. Coming off the highs and lows of the recent Confederations Cup in South Africa, and then the disastrous blow out by Mexico, 5-0, in the most recent Gold Cup final, it is curious which team will show up for this World Cup Qualifying Match. Mexico City has to be one of the hardest places to play Soccer for a visiting team, in the world. Only Ecuador could be considered worse. Yet, the US squad should win. They are the better team. But, does this team have enough heart, grit, determination and effort to pull off a win where no other US team has prevailed? If they want to be considered a contender for the 2010 World Cup, they better. Though A draw would be a rarity, it would be a disappointment. A win and only a win would elevate the USA Soccer program to World Status. A loss, expected by most “in the know” soccer experts, wouldn’t necessarily hurt the US 2010 World Cup qualifying effort, but it will keep the USA a “second class citizen” in the soccer world. Landon Donovan, Tim Howard, and Hiram Bocanegra need to step up and will this US team to a victory. There will be no moral “victories” from a draw. Once and for all, it is time for US Soccer to stop being a poser, and be a Contender. Only a win would accomplish that.