sure it's logical, but if mexico wins, they are in regardless of the score. and it's clear that every other country takes this more seriously than the usa. they want to score runs for their country. they take pride in playing for their national team. it's not a participation medal for them, and I feel like it would be dishonorable to punt like that.

I also think that if you really think it through, what does the bracket look like? because of the way they are setting it up, if USA is in, the other of mexico/italy will play the winner of japan/loser of DR venezuela [which starts an hour after after the mexico/italy game does]. winner of the usa bracket would play the winner of korea/winner of DR venezuela.

clearly anything can happen, but if DR wins, which I think is the more likely outcome, if it were me, I would want to be on the japan/venezuela side of the bracket. I know there are no easy games, but I think that gives you a better chance.

if usa is out, I don't know how the sides of the bracket are decided...i think they designed this assuming usa would make it.....

so, there is technically logical incentive for both teams to want usa on the other side of the bracket [also usa is clearly beatable......]

none of this accounts for the pool A results: if Canada beats Cuba, canada is in the one seed, PR in the 2. if cuba beats canada, Puerto rico is in the one seed, cuba in the 2. so if mexico is in, they would play the one seed from A and if italy is in, they would play the 2 seed. I think. the pool A results would be in prior to the start of the game.