Ventura Alvarado admits his first USA v Mexico experience is set to be an emotional one.
The Club America defender, 22, was born in Phoenix, Arizona to Mexican parents but will represent the nation in which he was born on Wednesday.
The US host El Tri in San Antonio in a friendly and Alvarado is expecting the contest to be full of sentiment from a personal viewpoint.
"Emotionally it is going to be a real test," Alvarado said.
"I am really happy. I have been talking about it with my (Club America) mates. I told Oribe (Peralta) I'm going to beat him but he didn't come."
Alvarado added: "It's always a big rivalry against us. They are always talking about it [in Mexico]. They want to beat us."