Mexico will face Honduras on March 22 with only three pure strikers on its 23-man World Cup qualifying roster, a position that manager Jose Manuel "Chepo" de la Torre has usually required two of on the pitch at any given time for most of the last year. El Tri's manager has also usually required the presence of two central midfielders in fielding a somewhat strict 4-4-2 formation.

So why has the former Chivas and Toluca manager opted to choose seven central midfielders, five of whom have essentially the same defensive qualities? Despite his assertions to the contrary, a quick glance at Chepo's squad selection sends the message that Mexico will prioritize not losing above going for all three points in San Pedro Sula on Friday.

"We always go into matches with the firm intention of winning," said a defiant Chepo during Monday's news conference in Mexico City. Yet the squad selected to face Honduras and the United States reflects a certain amount of caution that is worth analyzing regarding what this team's true intention is for at least the first 90 minutes of this quick two-game swing.