Mexico Gold Cup 2015: Full Roster, Group Stage Schedule and Predictions
The biannual CONCACAF Gold Cup kicks off in the United States and Canada on July 7, as the top countries from North America, Central America and the Caribbean gather to compete in the 23rd edition of the tournament.
Mexico have just come off the back of a poor Copa America campaign in Chile, but will surely be more focused when the Gold Cup action begins.
The U.S. men's national team are the holders of the trophy, having beaten Panama in 2013, and are joint favourites to win the competition with Mexico. Canada features as a host nation for the first time in history, with the Americans hosting for a 13th time.
Read on for the full Mexico roster, including match schedules and tournament predictions:
| Goalkeeper | Guillermo Ochoa, Moises Munoz, Jonathan Orozco |
| Defence | Francisco Rodriguez, Diego Reyes, Hector Moreno, Yasser Corona, Miguel Angel Herrera, Paul Aguilar, Jesus Duenas, Jorge Torres Nilo, Miguel Layun |
| Midfield | Jose Juan Vazquez, Andres Guardado, Hector Herrera, Antonio Rios, Carlos Esquivel, Jonathan dos Santos, Jesus Corona |
| Forward | Giovani dos Santos, Oribe Peralta, Carlos Vela |
| July 9 | Trinidad and Tobago | Guatemala | Soldier Field |
| July 9 | Mexico | Cuba | Soldier Field |
| July 12 | Trinidad and Tobago | Cuba | University of Phoenix Stadium |
| July 12 | Guatemala | Mexico | University of Phoenix Stadium |
| July 15 | Cuba | Guatemala | Bank of America Stadium |
| July 15 | Mexico | Trinidad and Tobago | Bank of America Stadium |
Preview And Predictions
All eyes will be on the USMNT Tuesday night as they kick off the competition against play-off qualifiers Honduras. The Americans are the holder of the CONCACAF silverware, and it would take a foolhardy individual to bet against them in 2015.
However, Mexico are the competition's most likely challengers, with the country fielding a weakened team at the Copa America in preparation for the Gold Cup.
Both the USA and Mexico look assured to cruise through the group phase, with two third-best teams making the knockout rounds.
The Mexicans are always focused on this tournament, with their Copa participation just a byproduct of their participation here.
El Tri coach Miguel Herrera says he is not wallowing in the recent failures of his side in Chile and is now fully focused on Gold Cup glory, as reported by Reuters (via Eurosport):
"I don't feel under any pressure. We can't do anything about the tournament we've lost, we've got to have a rethink, now I have to disconnect myself from (Chile) and concentrate on the (Gold Cup) team. You have to admit you didn't reach your objective, not be afraid of the word failure.
"
Mexico have suffered a huge blow after their Copa defeat, with the news Manchester United's Javier Hernandez will miss the tournament.
Chicharito's fractured collarbone has forced the striker out, but Carlos Vela is back in the fold and will be expected to provide the goals with Giovani dos Santos.
Jon Arnold of Goal.com believes the pair will have to find a formula for Mexico to win the tournament, with Vela playing catch-up:
"Vela's hiatus from representing the country cooled some of the connection the players had, but the Gold Cup will afford them time to work things out before the going gets too tough. Group stage victories, as easy as a group featuring Cuba, Guatemala, and Trinidad and Tobago might seem, aren't guaranteed. Yet Mexico should overcome the opposition with sheer talent and allow the dynamic forward duo to jell.
"
If Mexico can win the title this time around, they will get a chance to play America in a winner-takes-all qualification match for the 2017 Confederations Cup. The 2013 and 2015 winners meet to determine the 2017 representative in Russia, preceding the World Cup.
Chicharito's exit is a huge negative for the Mexicans, and his tournament experience will be sorely missed—especially when the time comes to face the USMNT.
Despite the bookies not being able to split the sides, America are the team with the advantage—with their home-field territory in their back pocket.
Vela is certain to score goals against such lowly opposition in the group stage, but it is questionable whether Mexico are fully in form after a poor Copa America showing.
The USA should regain their title once again, as they have too much variety in their squad. The MLS is underway, so the domestic American players will have an edge in fitness—compared to the Mexicans who feature in Europe's leagues—and this small fact might have a huge bearing on which side wins the day.
Costa Rica are likely to be the only team to seriously challenge the Americans and Mexicans, but with the Little Pea missing, it will be the United States that prevail.
Prediction: Mexico to finish runners-up at the 2015 Gold Cup.
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