Who do like: Mexico or U.S. in Gold Cup final?

In this part of the soccer world, it doesn’t get any bigger than the U.S. vs. Mexico.

The powers of the region clash for the third straight time in the CONCACAF Gold Cup final on Saturday at 6 p.m. (Fox Soccer Channel) at a sold-out Rose Bowl.

The U.S. is the home team, but Mexico will have the home-field advantage as the majority of the 90-plus thousand in the stadium will be wearing the tricolores and screaming “Ole!” with every completed pass.

American players are used to this by now. What they need to be more concerned with is disrupting Mexico’s speedy attack through the midfield, maintaining possession and capitalizing on their opportunities.

As with most U.S.-Mexico matches, you can expect an emotional, physical battle, with the play often being choppy.

Rudy Ybarra, the former coach at Santa Barbara High and current coach with the Santa Barbara Soccer Club, said it’s critical for the U.S. to score first to have a chance to win the game.

“USA must score first or they will have to open up more if Mexico scores first,” he said.

On other factors that will help the U.S., Ybarra said, “USA must play physical and hope the referee allows a physical game; set pieces or restarts are very important; (central defender) Rafa Marquez is not 100 percent, so this can work to the USA’s advantage, and Mexico is without its top goalkeeper.”

Ybarra is picking Mexico to win 3-1.

“My guess is that Mexico will control the tempo of this game after about minute 15 in the first half and will create more scoring chances as well. But the USA only needs one set piece to score.”

So how do you see the game playing out?

Send us a comment and a predicted score.