At stake: An international friendly to prepare for World Cup qualifiers. For local fans, however, this is about as good as it gets. There may never again be a better collection of soccer players on the same field here.

TV: Live on Spanish-language Telemundo, as well as Tijuana affiliates of Mexican networks Televisa and TV Azteca.

All-time series: Argentina leads 10-4-11. In the 2000s, Argentina holds a 4-1-2 advantage, including the epic overtime win in the second round of the 2006 World Cup and a 3-0 semifinal win in the 2007 Copa America.

Next up: Mexico plays a friendly against Peru on Sunday in Chicago, then opens World Cup qualifying against Belize on June 15. Argentina plays the United States on Sunday in East Rutherford, N.J., then hosts Ecuador in a World Cup qualifier on June 15 before playing at Brazil on June 18.

Nicknames: El Tri (Mexico), Albicelestes (Argentina).

Mexican player to watch: Forward Carlos Vela is just 19, but already English club Arsenal is planning big things for him. Vela was loaned to Spain's Osasuna last season and will return to Arsenal this summer now that his British work permit has been secured.

Argentine player to watch: Forward Lionel Messi – who else? He's 5-6½ but he's hard to miss. He'll be the guy terrorizing Mexico's defenders with his uncanny ability to dribble the ball at speed. Just 20, many already consider him the best player in the world.

Who's not here: Both teams brought as close to their “A” teams as possible. Mexico is without Giovani dos Santos (injury), Pavel Pardo (injury), Rafael Marquez (rest) and Nery Castillo (family illness). Argentina did not call players from domestic clubs, which are in the heat of the season – most notably Juan Roman Riquelme and Martin Palermo. Also absent is Carlos Tevez, who must serve a red-card suspension in the next World Cup qualifier.

Tickets: The game has been sold out for nearly three weeks. A crowd of 68,000-plus is expected, the most to see a soccer game in San Diego County.

If you go: Arrive early and take alternate routes to the stadium (other than I-15 to Friars Road). Traffic congestion before last year's Mexico-Venezuela game was some of the worst ever seen in Mission Valley. Organizers also suggest parking in outlying areas and riding the San Diego Trolley a few stops to the stadium.

Parking: The stadium lot opens at noon.

Stadium gates: Open at 6:30 p.m.

Futbol Fiesta: Huge interactive fan zone is located in the east side of the stadium parking lot, with booths and music stages from more than a dozen of the Mexican national team's U.S. sponsors. There also will be a 50-foot Mexico jersey that fans can sign. Futbol Fiesta is open from 4 p.m. until kickoff. Admission is free.

http://www.signonsandiego.com