Mexico lineup prediction vs. USMNT: Who will Juan Carlos Osorio start?

Trying to guess what Juan Carlos Osorio will do is always tricky. The Mexico manager likes to rotate his team, customize his approach to his opponents and take (at least from the outside) calculated risks. There is nothing close to a first choice XI with him.

So when Mexico take on the U.S. on Friday (7 p.m. ET on FS1), what will he do? Bet on a formation that looks like a 3-3-3-1 or 3-4-3. And the players?

Osorio really could go with any of his three goalkeepers. He's been rotating the trio, with each of Talavera, Jesus Corona and Guillermo Ochoa starting at Copa America Centenario, but Talavera is in good form right now.

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In another world, Salcedo could have been part of the U.S. system. The Mexican made his professional debut with Real Salt Lake and, with some more time there, could have become a citizen then suited up for the Stars and Stripes. But he left RSL for Chivas, became one of Liga MX's best defenders and earned a move to Fiorentina. At just 23 years old, he's playing regularly for the Italian club and with the form he's in, Osorio will find it difficult to omit him from the starting lineup.

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The other option here is Diego Reyes, but Osorio doesn't love Reyes, while he seems to have a soft spot for Araujo. With the way Araujo has played for club and country of late, it's not hard to see why.

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Moreno is Mexico's best defender and probably the best defender in all of CONCACAF. He's a lock to start nearly every match, even with Osorio's rotating.

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Osorio loves Guardado's versatility and against the U.S., he'll get to see Guardado's smarts and range to help deal with the Americans' athleticism. Guardado will be asked to help in transition both ways, keeping the U.S. from attacking with speed and getting the ball from back to front quickly when El Tri get a hold of it.

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This will probably be the 37-year-old's last match against the U.S. Then again, we've said that many times before. Osorio seems to favor using Marquez in the midfield as opposed to defense. It makes sense, with Marquez helping shield a three-man defense that could use a bit of help. His ability on the ball also helps El Tri play out the back. The key will be Marquez staying under control and being a leader instead of crossing the line and getting a silly red card, which he's done on more than one occasion against the U.S.

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Everything that applies to Guardado applie to Layun. He's here for his ability in transition, not to mention calm and leadership. But whereas Guardado is an automatic starter, Layun could start on the bench to make room for Hector Herrera, who is truly sensational, but hasn't seemed to impress Osorio the way he has others.

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A month ago, dos Santos was in Osorio's dog house. The Mexico manager hadn't called dos Santos up in his year at the helm and it looked unlikely to change, no matter how well dos Santos played for the LA Galaxy. But Osorio gave him a look in a pair of October friendlies and dos Santos was arguably El Tri's best player. With the team sometimes starved for creativity, dos Santos is the perfect solution.

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It may have taken Fabian a little longer than some wanted to make good on his potential, but he's finally done it and he's been sensational for Eintracht Frankfurt. Like dos Santos, he brings some creativity, and with the form he's in, Osorio has to turn to him.

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The choice here probably comes down to Tecatito, Raul Jimenez or Hirving Lozano and Osorio couldn't be blamed for picking any of the three. They're all good players, but Tecatito can single-handedly win a match. Mexico need that type of player in Columbus, where they've never won before.

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He's the team's best striker, in great form and the biggest star they have.

Talavera; Salcedo, Araujo, Moreno; Guardado, Marquez, Layun; dos Santos, Fabian, Tecatito; Chicharito.

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