Mexico's Andres Guardado has admitted his side must end their problems away from home if they are to reach the World Cup next year.

The Aztecas have lost all three of their away matches in the final round of CONCACAF qualifiers to leave them fourth in the group.

That would only be good enough to secure a play-off against a South America team, with the top three automatically booking their tickets to South Africa.

Mexico are a point behind USA and Honduras, the latter of whom they host on Wednesday, but before then they must first travel to San Jose to tackle leaders Costa Rica.

Despite the significance of their midweek fixture, Guardado believes tomorrow's match is crucial to their World Cup hopes as they look to overcome their poor away form.

"We have to make an extra effort to put the atmosphere out of our heads and focus only on the game," the Deportivo La Coruna midfielder said.

"We need to prove we can win away."

Mexico have revived their stuttering campaign under new coach Javier Aguirre with back-to-back home wins against Trinidad & Tobago and United States.

Aguirre took over in April after Sven-Goran Eriksson was axed, and Guardado believes the former Atletico Madrid coach's presence has inspired his team-mates.

"When he arrived to coach the national team he told us he wanted 11 warriors on the pitch," he said.

USA can take an important step toward the finals when they host El Salvador in Utah.

The Americans have only lost once in 19 meetings against El Salvador and midfielder Landon Donovan believes a muscular approach should ensure they cope with the visitors' threat.

"We want to be aggressive. If we go out and play tentatively and things don't go our way, we'll be pretty upset," he said.

"We're going to go out, be aggressive and give everything we have. We're a better team, and if we do that we're going to win the game."

Surprise packets Honduras can tighten their grip on a top-three place when they host last-placed Trinidad & Tobago.

Honduras lie in second place, just two points behind leaders Costa Rica, whom they beat 4-0 last time out, and look well placed to qualify for the finals for the first time since 1982.

"We know the responsibility we have on our shoulders and we'll give everything on the pitch to get closer to qualification," striker David Suazo said.

"We're working hard to give our fans some happiness."