The most successful team in the competition’s history, Mexico are one of the favourites for the title. But who is on their Gold Cup roster?
This summer, Mexico’s men’s national team will be looking to further extend their list of CONCACAF Gold Cup trophies by winning their ninth title, and in the process also extending the gap between them and other teams below them on the list.
The squad chosen for this year’s Gold Cup is not too different from the ones they have used in previous tournaments and has much more experience than the one chosen by rivals USA.
However, Mexico are a bit of a mess heading into the tournament, having suffered a humiliating 3-0 defeat to the U.S. in the Nations League semi-final, with manager Diego Cocca losing his job after less than five months at the helm.
So, who has interim manager Jaime Lozano trusted to deliver on the big stage, and get Mexico out of the chaotic situation they’re currently in?
GOAL breaks down Lozano’s 23-player Gold Cup squad…
GOALKEEPERS
The selection for this year’s Gold Cup is more or less what was expected, with the usual suspects retaining their spots on the list.
Guillermo Ochoa will retain his position as Mexico’s no.1 with the 38-year-old showing no signs of decline, having impressed for Salernitana and winning their Player of the Season. His experience and performances will be crucial for Mexico’s success at the tournament.
Luis Malagon and Jose Antonio Rodriguez will be options in case Ochoa can’t play, with the former perhaps given some experience as he’s groomed to be Mexico’s next no.1.
DEFENDERS
In defence, perhaps it’s a bit more open-ended for Mexico, with a new generation of players being integrated and the older generation being phased out.
This can be seen with Cesar Montes being the oldest of the defenders at age 26 and expected to provide experience to the young backline. He will be supported by the likes of John Vasquez and Victor Guzman, who will be vying for a spot in the defence.
Youngsters such as Julian Araujo, Jesus Gallardo and Israel Reyes will also be looking to make a mark and consolidate their future spot in Mexico’s squad.
MIDFIELDERS
In the midfield, Mexico’s squad see many of the same names that have performed for them both at the 2022 World Cup and the recently concluded Nations League.
Edson Alvarez is expected to be the anchor in the centre of the pitch for Mexico as he has been in the past few years. He could be supported by either Luis Chavez and Sebastian Cordova in the final lineup Lozano decides to put out during the tournament.
FORWARDS
As was the case during the Nations League, Mexico’s attack sees mix-up, with familiar names not included in the Gold Cup squad.
Uriel Antuna is most likely going to be the go-to winger for Mexico during their Gold Cup campaign, with Ozziel Herrera the alternative for Alexis Veiga who had to recently pull out of the tournament.
In the striker role, Santiago Gimenez retains his position in the squad and will in all likelihood be Mexico’s main marksman during the tournament, with Henry Martin rotating with him.
EXPECTED XI
Lozano could most likely deploy a 4-3-3 formation as Mexico did against Panama in the third-place Nations League Playoff, with Ochoa starting as the goalkeeper.
Montes and Vasquez will likely be the centre-back pairing for Mexico’s backline. There’s more ambiguity when it comes to who will occupy the full-back positions, with Araujo likely occupying the right-back spot, while Gallardo deputises as the left-back.
In midfield, the trio of Alvarez, Chavez and Cordova will hold the responsibility of protecting the defence, while supplying to the attack.
In attack, Herrera and Antuna will likely be Mexico’s go-to wingers, while Gimenez starts as their lead striker.
Mexico possible XI: Ochoa; Araujo, Montes, Vasquez, Gallardo; Alvarez, Cordova, Chavez; Antuna, Gimenez, Herrera
NOTABLE ABSENTEES
Mexico don’t have many injury issues, however, as mentioned above they have many familiar names from their attack missing in this tournament.
Raul Jimenez, Hirving Lozano, and Jesus Corona aren’t part of the squad due to not being fully fit or as in Jimenez’s case not being in the best of form.
Vega would have undoubtedly started for Mexico and was even announced as a part of their initial 23-man squad but had to pull out due to injury a few days before the tournament started.
Source: GOAL