BORDER ROAR U.S.-MEXICO RIVALRY TO PLAY OUT ON WORLD'S STAGE.

Byline: Paul Oberjuerge Staff Writer

SEOUL, South Korea - Mexico and the United States have wrangled over North American soccer superiority for a decade. Now they get a chance to hash it out with the whole world watching and a berth in the World Cup quarterfinals at stake.

``It is a great rivalry, and it should be a great game,'' U.S. national soccer coach Bruce Arena said Saturday. ``Mexico has been one of the great teams to date in this World Cup, so it is going to be a real difficult challenge for our team.''

Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Monday (11:30 p.m. PDT Sunday) in Jeonju, South Korea, about 200 miles south of Seoul.

Mexico won Group G by defeating Croatia and Ecuador and tying three-time World Cup champion Italy.

The U.S. was runner-up in Group D, defeating Portugal, tying South Korea and losing, heavily, 3-1 to Poland.

Mexico is ranked No. 7 in the world, the U.S. is No. 13. And the Mexicans certainly have been more impressive at this World Cup.

``They always seem to play well in the World Cup,'' U.S. midfielder Eddie Lewis said. ``They play good football. They're energetic, they knock it around and they make good combinations. I'm a fan of theirs.

``But having said that, I've played against every one of those guys, and we've beat them four or five times with their guys, and psychologically we know we can beat them. If you had to pick a team to play in the final 16, it would be them.''

The Mexicans might say the same of the U.S., which has not enjoyed the same success they have in the World Cup. The U.S. has not reached the quarterfinals since 1930.

``Getting to play Mexico is great for us,'' U.S. midfielder Landon Donovan said. ``No reason why we can't win that game, and then we're in the quarterfinals against Germany.''

Mexico leads the all-time series 28-9-9, but the U.S. has won four of the past five - the four played in the United States.

As the series has leveled out in recent years, home field has become critical, and both sides are curious to see how it will go in what probably will be close to a neutral setting.

``This venue, I'm anxious to see how they're like,'' U.S. goalkeeper Brad Friedel said of fans in Jeonju. ``I don't know how they followed the Mexican team, if they were supporting them in their games. It should be a minimum 50-50 in the stadium, and that's always nice.''

A 50-50 split ``would be better than what we're used to,'' Arena said, referring to large numbers of Mexico fans who turn up at U.S. venues.

Arena conceded Koreans cheered against his team in the first round, ``but that made sense, because we were in their group. Now I think they'd like to see another team from their group do well.''

Mexico has impressed by controlling the action in its first three games. Its midfield has been strong, particularly the defense-oriented Gerardo Torrado, who plays in Spain for Sevilla.

``Almost every soccer game is won in midfield, and their midfield has been very good,'' Friedel said. ``Torrado has been absolutely outstanding.''

Mexico's primary scoring threats are Jared Borgetti and Cuauhtomec Blanco, with Luis Hernandez and Francisco Palencia, each reportedly discontented with a lack of playing time, available off the bench. Oscar Perez has been competent in goal after beating out former Galaxy goalkeeper Jorge Campos.

Mexico was struggling in World Cup qualifying a year ago before coach Javier Aguirre took over the team, producing quick results - including a 1-0 victory over the U.S. at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City.

The U.S. is certain to look different than it did in its first three matches because left back Frankie Hejduk is out with two yellow cards, and struggling central defender Jeff Agoos is done for the World Cup with a leg injury.

Arena, as always, was cagey about his lineup. Former first-team regular David Regis is the obvious choice to replace Hejduk at left back, though some have suggested 20-year-old DaMarcus Beasley might be a good choice there, shifted from midfield.

Carlos Llamosa is the leading candidate to replace Agoos, but Gregg Berhalter and Pablo Mastroeni are possible, as well.

Joe-Max Moore probably won't be available due to a leg injury, and his versatility is important.

``You don't need 23 guys at the start of the tournament,'' Arena said, ``but by the fourth game you do.''

Brian McBride and Clint Mathis are the likely starters at forward, with Claudio Reyna, Earnie Stewart and Donovan near-certain at midfield. Eddie Pope and Tony Sanneh will be on the right side of the defense.

Friedel said a quick start is critical. ``If we score the first goal, or an early goal, that puts a lot of pressure on them,'' he said.

He suggested Mexico plays with the weight of a nation on its shoulders.

``It's for bragging rights for the region,'' he said. ``I think they're under big pressure if they lose to us, from their public and their media, and we always enjoy getting good results against them.''

A good result this time would be for more than bragging; it elevates the winner into the final eight of the world's greatest sports event, and probably redefines the rivalry for years to come.

Note: Jeff Agoos will not be available for the duration of the U.S. national soccer team's stay in Asia due to a strained right-calf muscle, a team official said.

Agoos, 34, who has more national-team starts (123) than any player in history, will be out 4-6 weeks.

WORLD CUP - U.S. vs. MEXICO

--Tonight, 11:30

TV: ESPN, Ch. 34.

LOOKING AHEAD: U.S. vs. MEXICO

Time: Tonight, 11:30, Jeonju, South Korea.

TV: ESPN, Ch. 34.

Matchup: The loss of Jeff Agoos (injury) might benefit the U.S., as Agoos' defense seemed unsteady, to put it mildly. Replacing Frankie Hejduk (suspension) will be more of a problem; Hejduk's tenacity was key in the last match vs. Mexico, a 1-0 U.S. victory April 3 in Denver. The U.S. must protect against falling behind early like it did against Poland. Mexico's midfielders, especially Gerardo Torrado, played well vs. Italy and could prove decisive.

Prediction: U.S. 1, Mexico 1. U.S. advances on penalty kicks.

- Bill Elstrom

CAPTION(S):

photo, 2 boxes

Photo:

(color) A berth in the World Cup quarterfinals and nothing short of North American soccer supremacy are at stake tonight.

Photo illustration by Shane Kidder/Daily News

Box:

(1) WORLD CUP GLANCE

(2) LOOKING AHEAD: U.S. vs. MEXICO (see text)