The dance card is filled

It was like they were at their first 6th grade dance. They finally got the nerve to walk across the dance floor and ask a girl to dance. One by one, they were rejected: Scotland, Belgium, Egypt, Chile, Nigeria, Senegal, and Cameroon all said no. But just when it was most dire, one finally said yes. Mexico will play Congo DR on May 12 as the Tri says goodbye to their fans at the Estadio Azteca before heading to Germany. Ricardo Lavolpe will turn in his list soon after.

Nicknamed the Simbas (leones) Congo DR was formally known as Zaire when they qualified for their only world cup in 1974. They were quarterfinalists at the recent African Nations Cup in Egypt. They tied Angola, 0-0, in the group stages. They have a few players of repute: Lomana Lua Lua plays for Portsmouth in the English Premier League and Shabani Nonda is with Roma. No guarantees that these players will be on the pitch, though.