U.S.-Mexico reportedly scrapped over TV rights

In 2007, Mexico and the United States had lined up a September friendly which would have been played in Mexico City. Because of television networks, however, the match was never played.

Three years later, it appears the same thing has happened. Mexico and the U.S. were reportedly set for a Feb. 24 showdown at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., but instead Mexico will likely play El Salvador there that day.

Mexico outlet Esto reported that a proposed U.S.-Mexico friendly was scrapped over a broadcasting rights dispute between Univision and Telemundo. Univision owns the Spanish-language rights to the United States national team while Telemundo broadcasts the Mexican national team.

Instead of facing a squad that qualified for the World Cup, Mexico will play a team in transition. El Salvador finished well out of the race for a World Cup spot in CONCACAF and manager Carlos de los Cobos and the federation parted ways when his contract ran out at the end of 2009.

The U.S., meanwhile, will open 2010 against Honduras on Jan. 23 at Home Depot Center and also has a match against the Netherlands on its calendar, on March 3 in Amsterdam.

According to reports in El Salvador, the U.S. might also face El Salvador, and the rumored match would take place on Feb. 20. --Goal.com