By: Jonny Rico
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GROUP C
Schedule: vs Uruguay (6/5 University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, AZ), vs Jamaica (6/9 Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena, CA), vs Venezuela (6/13 NGR Stadium, Houston, TX)
Head Coach: Juan Carlos Osorio
Best Finish in Copa America: Second place (1993 and 2001)
Players to Keep an Eye on: FWD Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez (Bayer Leverkusen), MID Andres Guardado (PSV), MID Hector Herrera (FC Porto), DEF/MID Miguel Layun (FC Porto), MID Jesus Corona (FC Porto)
Outlook: For the first time in over 10 years the Mexican National Team will be able to send a full squad to a Copa America. El Tri had been sending reserve squads to the past editions of the South American continental competition giving CONCACAF Gold Cup priority since that is the competition that would allow it to participate in the FIFA Confederations Cup.
Mexico has proven that with full-strength squads it can make a run as one of the continent’s best teams. Mexico played its way all the way to the final in its Copa America debut tournament in 1993 falling to Argentina 2-1 in the final. Mexico had faced Argentina in the group stage of that year’s edition playing to a 1-1 draw.
El Tri once again made the final in 2001 falling to host Colombia in the championship round. Besides the two runners-up finishes, Mexico has also finished in third place on three occasions.
Manager Juan Carlos Osorio will have his first real test at the head of the Mexican National Team. He came in to replace previous manager Miguel Herrera and interim manager Ricardo Ferretti. Osorio has maintained a perfect record so far with the National Team through seven games and is yet to concede a goal but the Colombian will face a lot stiffer competition at Copa America.
With ‘home field advantage’ and a full squad this will be El Tri’s best chance at finally winning a Copa America.
