Mexico vs. Honduras: Time, Live Stream and TV Schedule for 2017 Gold Cup
The quarter-finals of the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup continue on Thursday, with holders Mexico taking on Honduras at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
El Tri will be hot favourites to book their spot in the last four of the tournament, having already topped Group C with seven points from three games.
Honduras, meanwhile, have yet to score a goal, having drawn 0-0 with Canada and lost 1-0 to Costa Rica.
However, they went on to qualify as—despite drawing 0-0 with French Guinea—they were awarded a 3-0 victory, after their opponents fielded the ineligible Florent Malouda in their group-stage match.
As such, Mexico, who have won three of the past four tournaments, will be expected to progress at the expense of the goal-shy Hondurans.
Here are the key viewing details before we look ahead and preview this knockout contest.
Date: Thursday, July 20
Time: 10:30 p.m. (ET), 3:30 a.m. (BST) Friday, July 21
TV Info: Fox Sports 1 (U.S.)
Live Stream: Fox Sports Go (U.S.)
Match Preview
Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio will not be calling up any new players, as permitted by the competition's rules following the completion of the group stage, as noted by Tom Marshall at ESPN FC:
Per Marshall, the coach will also continue to watch from the stands, as he serves the third game of a six-match FIFA ban picked up at the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup for acting inappropriately towards officials.
Mexico will fancy their chances of keeping a clean sheet on Thursday, not just because Honduras are yet to open their account but also due to the form of goalkeeper Jesus Corona.
The 36-year-old was superb against Curacao last time out and will want to continue to impress, particularly ahead of next summer's 2017 FIFA World Cup finals:
However, Mexico will need to improve going forward, having largely been unable to showcase their attacking talent in the tournament. A 0-0 draw with Jamaica was followed by a 2-0 win over Curacao, but they needed a stoppage-time goal from Edson Alvarez to secure the victory.
Osario could start Erick Torres against Honduras, particularly as he could come up against Houston Dynamo team-mates Boniek Garcia, Alberth Elis and Romell Quioto for Honduras.
Acting caretaker boss Pompilio Paez has backed Torres and hinted at an attacking approach, per MLSsoccer.com:
"Erick gave us two great chances in the last game, but this time we were looking to play a more central game where we thought other players were better suited.
"We will try to narrow down our starting No. 9, but every game will be different. For example, against Honduras, a team that plays with a 5-4-1, we will probably need to start with three forwards."
Meanwhile, Honduras have shown little to suggest they can progress any further in the tournament. They may have won the 2017 Copa Centroamericana but have found goals hard to come by, and on current form, their prospects look bleak.
Mexico may not have been at their best so far in this tournament, but with a goalkeeper in top form and an array of attacking talent to choose from, they should still have too much for Honduras.
Prediction: Mexico 2-0 Honduras
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