Mexico Coach Juan Carlos Osorio Gets One Last Chance to Tinker in Chile Friendly

As Victor Frankenstein found out, experiments can do more harm than good. For Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio, however, tinkering is the only way he can create a footballing monster for this year's Copa America Centenario.

Osorio, like Frankenstein, the lead character in Mary Shelley's novel, is happy to experiment, albeit on a football field rather than in a laboratory.

Since taking charge, the Colombian has had the chance to assess his players while steering Mexico to six straight wins. Admittedly the fixtures have been against weaker opposition, but they have scored 13 goals in his short tenure and conceded none.

Paraguay were their latest victims on Saturday, as a first-half goal from Andres Guardado secured a 1-0 victory at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

On Wednesday, El Tri's Copa America preparations continue with a friendly against reigning champions Chile at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego.

For Osorio, it is a chance to mix things up again, certainly with personnel and possibly in terms of formation.

He has, more often than not, used a 4-3-3 system since taking charge.

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However, against Paraguay, he showed his flexibility by deploying three at the back and Jesus Molina as a deep-lying midfielder.

Jon Arnold of Goal explained the reason behind the switch: "With some players yet to join up with the group and others still regaining form after recently concluded seasons, the manager elected to flex from his normal 4-3-3 formation."

Osorio is also aware of the potential need for change depending on a specific opponent, too. The clash with Chile could be a dress rehearsal for a knockout tie at the Copa America. Depending on where they finish in their respective groups, the nations could meet again as early as the quarter-finals.

Per Tom Marshall of ESPNFC, Mexico's coach said in his pre-match press conference on Tuesday: "We always keep the rival and their tactical structure and playing idea in mind. It is difficult to keep a (fixed) eleven."

Marshall pointed out in the same story that Osorio tried four different XIs during the final training session, although he added the coach is "known for not giving much away" when the press are able to watch.

Journalist Cesar Hernandez tweeted out two of the lineups used during practice:

Predicting the team Osorio will choose is an even tougher challenge now his squad has grown in size. 

Jesus Corona, Miguel Layun, Hector Herrera, Raul Jimenez and Diego Reyes have all joined up with the national team following their exploits for teams in Europe. Hirving Lozano is yet to even arrive in the U.S. after helping Pachuca secure the Liga MX title in Mexico.

Osorio has a juggling act on his hands to make sure every member of his party is physically ready for the Copa opener with Uruguay on Sunday.

However, that is just part of the life of a national team manager. Preparation time is limited and every friendly fixture is a crucial opportunity to work with the players, both on an individual basis and in terms of team structure. A game against holders Chile is an ideal test on the eve of the Copa America.

According to Goal's Arnold, El Tri's coach believes he has enough quality at his disposal to follow in La Roja's footsteps and lift the trophy in 2016:

"

Chile has a great team with lot of opportunities and I reiterate my statement that it'll be a great opponent for us and it's going to have a very good level of play.

It's not a coincidence that they won the Copa America, and surely it'll be in the minds of the manager and players to repeat, but there are others with the chance to win as well, and I would include Mexico in that.

"

Osorio has every right to be bullish about Mexico's chances.

Their squad has strength in depth and, in Javier Hernandez, a forward who can suddenly change a game with a goal. Their recent defensive record suggests they are solid at the back, too.

Chicharito is a certain starter in the Copa. Others, though, cannot be so sure of their places in the XI that will take to the field against Uruguay at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Therefore, the clash with Chile takes on extra significance for some.

As for Osorio, it is one last opportunity to experiment.

If he can work out the right formula, a Mexico side with excellent chemistry could be monstrous at the Copa. Get it wrong, though, and things could turn uglier than Frankenstein's creation.