When the U.S. plays Mexico in Columbus, it's all about 'Dos a Cero'

Every time the U.S. has played Mexico in Columbus, Ohio, the final score has been 2-0. Will Friday's game be any different? We break down all things "Dos a Cero."

The stats behind the U.S. dominance in Columbus

The standout number is the goals scored, but when looked at in comparison with the shots taken by each side, it is clear that the United States' ability to be more clinical in front of goal has been the difference between the two teams in their previous four games in Columbus.

From a disciplinary point of view, it is perhaps surprising that so few cards have been issued, given the rivalry. The only player to be sent off was Mexico's Rafael Marquez in 2009.

Columbus: The players' point of view

Frankie Hejduk (former U.S. defender): "[In 2001] they didn't come out for warm-ups. You could tell they were freezing. That wasn't the same Mexico team we'd seen in the past. U.S. Soccer went: 'Whoa, if there is any sort of advantage, there it was.' We were getting an advantage over the Mexico team, just like they do when we play them in Azteca. [In 2013], it was a 99 percent American crowd. The whole 'Dos a Cero' is a crazy thing in itself. That last game, you've got Clint Dempsey with a minute left, ready to take a penalty. It was already 2-0 at the time, it was going to be 3-0. He hits a solid shot, but there was a little wind and the wind [whispers] 'Dos a Cero.' And he missed."

Jared Borgetti (former Mexico striker): "More than climatic factors, [playing in Columbus] is an extra motivation for the United States. They feel they are stronger there and they feel they are better supported by their fans, and the results have come the last [four] times they've played there. It's very nice that the people there have this idea of 'Dos a Cero,' but it is a call to action that the United States uses to say that they will repeat it. I think many games have gone by that the United States have also won that haven't been 2-0, or that Mexico have won. In the [2011] Gold Cup final at the Rose Bowl, Mexico came back to win 4-2. To a certain degree, the 2-0s have been circumstantial."

When have the U.S. goals been scored?

The lesson for Mexico is to maintain concentration before and after halftime; five of the eight goals they have conceded in Columbus were scored in the 15-minute periods on either side of the interval.

If the pattern of previous games is followed on Friday, expect a tight first half before the game opens up later.

Columbus: The fans' point of view

Korey Donahoo (president and co-founder, American Outlaws): "2005 was my second game as a U.S. fan that I attended. When DaMarcus Beasley scored, that ignited a lifelong obsession for me in a lot of ways. It's just a special atmosphere; it's that high early on in your fandom that you're always chasing for the rest of your life. [Everyone] knows the history of the score lines and the opponents and the rivalry and the city and the stadium. It's just a marriage of all of that stuff, and it's like a rite of passage for U.S. soccer fans to go to a U.S.-Mexico game in Columbus."

Sergio Tristan (founder, Pancho Villa's Army): "I was in Columbus in 2005 and 2009, and while it is a pro-U.S. crowd, at the same time Mexico fans don't disappoint; the most lopsided I've ever seen was 60-40 [in favor of U.S. fans]. Mexico fans will pay whatever it takes to go to this game; we will mortgage our house! I've seen Mexico fans scattered across the [American Outlaws'] area, and they will pay two, three or four times the face-value price. Somehow, someway, we'll find a way to get into that stadium!"

"Dos a Cero" -- discuss

Donahoo: "I remember chanting it in 2005. It's awesome that we've beaten them so many times in important games, but the fact that it happened by the same score line every time is crazy. Sports gambling websites will give odds on the exact score, and it's hard to do for one game, much less four super-meaningful games, all in the same city, all against the same opponent. And I know they beat us in the CONCACAF Cup and a Gold Cup final and usually at Azteca, but it's the fact that you can point to the last four home Hex games against Mexico, in the same city, with the same score line. I think that is what makes it so special."

Tristan: "It's an annoying, very peculiar chant from U.S. fans that really gets under our skin, not because they beat us 2-0, but because it doesn't mean anything. You win a game and it doesn't turn into a Gold Cup or a trophy, so it has no meaning. So while they win 2-0 in games that maybe are official or not official, it doesn't lead to anything. They haven't improved and they haven't won a single competition that really matters. There is no Confederations Cup, no Olympic gold medal, no U-17 World Cups, nothing associated with this 'Dos a Cero' chant besides one win at a World Cup and a couple of wins during qualifiers. That is it."

Weather watch

The U.S. has beaten Mexico in all conditions over the years, from the freezing temperatures of February 2001 to sweltering heat in September 2013.

Incidentally, the forecast for Friday's game is partly cloudy, with a temperature of 44 degrees Fahrenheit.

What the game means in terms of World Cup qualifying

Jeff Carlisle (ESPN FC USMNT writer): "From a pure points perspective, the home match against Mexico hasn't really meant all that much. While there has been the occasional bump in the road, the U.S. has qualified easily for the last five World Cups, with at least a game to spare. But from an emotional standpoint, the impact is immense. It's a huge source of confidence, and when the game has occurred early in the Hex, like during 2010 World Cup qualifying, it has generated significant momentum and served as a springboard for the qualifying effort."

Tom Marshall (ESPN FC Mexico writer): "Mexico has lost each time in Columbus, but has gone on to qualify for the subsequent World Cups. In that sense, the result isn't vital. In any confederation, you can go away to your biggest rival in qualifying and lose. A draw would be a great result for Mexico, but El Tri should comfortably make Russia 2018 regardless of what happens, since CONCACAF has 3.5 spots. That said, rarely are things cut-and-dried with Mexico, and this game could go a long way to setting the tone of Juan Carlos Osorio's reign. Still reeling from the 7-0 defeat to Chile -- at least in the eyes of the press and fans -- he needs a lift. A positive result at a stadium in which his predecessors have all failed would give his ideas increased credibility and make sure he is still in charge into 2017. A heavy loss, on the other hand, would bring renewed calls for his removal."

The Columbus veterans

Of the quartet of players who have featured in three of the four previous Columbus encounters, only Mexico's Rafael Marquez will be involved in Friday's game.

Set to feature for the third time are Tim Howard and Jermaine Jones of the United States as well as Mexico's Giovani dos Santos.

The last time in Columbus