What to watch for in USMNT-Mexico clash

The Mauricio Pochettino era of the U. S. Men's National Team kicked off with a bang Saturday with a 2-0 win over Panama. The victory was payback for Panama's win over the USMNT in last summer's Copa America, and while the USMNT's play wasn't perfect, it was a marked improvement over its efforts under former coach Gregg Berhalter.

The biggest test lies ahead: Pochettino and the USMNT will play Mexico in Guadalajara on Tuesday to see just how far they've come in their short time together. The USMNT has a bleak record in Mexico, having won just once there, a 1-0 friendly victory in 2012. 

But with Mexico also suffering an early Copa America exit and fighting through a top-to-bottom rebuild of its national program, the conditions are right for the USMNT to pick up its elusive second win on Mexican soil.

Here are the most important storylines to look out for in Pochettino's second game in charge.

Who will become Christian Pulisic's understudy? 

It's no secret that Pulisic is one of the USMNT's most important players. He's vital enough that Pochettino has granted him strategic rest days to ensure he doesn't get overworked. This Mexico game is one of them. Pulisic won't be available for selection at all—he's already returned to Italy to resume training with his club team, AC Milan.

That begs an important question: who can step up in Pulisic's absence? 

Signs point to Malik Tillman, the USMNT winger plying his trade in the Netherlands with PSV. Tillman is a fascinating case: he's beloved in Europe, with prominent outlets calling him the best player in the Netherlands, but he's still relatively unknown to casual fans in the States. Pochettino loves Tillman—he calls him "an unbelievable talent"—and he's expected to rely on him in Pulisic's absence. This Mexico game could be Tillman's best opportunity to make American fans love him as much as Pochettino does.