El Tri enter will head to the U.S. with sky-high expectations, but can they come close to reaching them?
If there's one thing you need to know about Mexico's national team, it's that high expectations precede everything they do. It doesn't matter the competition, the form, the situation – if there's a game being played, those that support El Tri expect them to win.
Those expectations aren't always realistic, but they are always real. There's no avoiding them. If Mexico ever falls short, punishment is always swift. That's the situation head coach Jaime Lozano faces heading into this summer's Copa America.
Mexico, though, are not among the favorites to win in the United States. There's still an aura of chaos lingering from the 2022 World Cup, with players still taking shots at former coach Gerardo 'Tata' Martino. On talent alone, El Tri aren't among the top three or four teams in this competition, either.
Expectations are there, though, and if Lozano's Mexico doesn't live up to them… well, we all know what happens to Mexico managers who fall short.
But who will make Mexico's Copa America squad? Lozano named a 31-man preliminary roster on May 10, with his final 23 set to be confirmed before El Tri's tournament-opener against Jamaica on June 22…
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GOALKEEPERS
Luis Malagon looked set to start for El Tri this summer, with the Club America shot-stopper the heir apparent to longtime No.1 Guillermo Ochoa. However, an injury sustained by the presumptive first choice before camp leaves El Tri with few options.
Jose Rangel and Carlos Acevedo will compete for the top spot, and have just 10 combined caps between them. It's a new era of goalkeeping for the country.
| Name |
Club |
| Carlos Acevedo |
Santos Laguna |
| Jose Rangel |
Chivas |
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DEFENDERS
Mexico's defense is loaded with experience, including plenty of World Cup veterans. Players like Cesar Montes and Jorge Sanchez remain around the squad, having been regulars in the lead-up to and during the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
Johan Vasquez looks like a likely starter at centerback while Monterrey's Gerardo Arteaga is in the mix, too, as he pushes Gallardo for that left-back spot.
| Name |
Club |
| Gerardo Arteaga |
Monterrey |
| Brian Garcia |
Toluca |
| Bryan Gonzalez |
Pachuca |
| Victor Guzman |
Monterrey |
| Cesar Montes |
Almeria |
| Jesus Orozco |
Chivas |
| Alexis Pena |
Necaxa |
| Israel Reyes |
Club America |
| Jorge Sanchez |
Porto |
| Johan Vazquez |
Genoa |
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MIDFIELDERS
The Mexico midfield is, largely, set in stone. Edson Alvarez starts, for sure, as he remains one of the region's best players. Luis Chavez, too, is essentially a locked-in starter. Erick Sanchez, right now, seems to have the inside track on that third spot, although that could change.
There's plenty of experience here, too, with players very much in their prime. Orbelin Pinedo, Carlos Rodriguez, Luis Romo and Roberto Alvarado are all right in that age 25-28 sweet spot, and should be up for the moment in this tournament.
| Name |
Club |
| Roberto Alvarado |
Chivas |
| Edson Alvarez |
West Ham |
| Fernando Beltran |
Guadalajara |
| Luis Chavez |
Dynamo Moscow |
| Erick Gutierrez |
Guadalajara |
| Andres Montano |
Mazatlan |
| Orbelin Pineda |
AEK Athens |
| Carlos Rodriguez |
Cruz Azul |
| Luis Romo |
Monterrey |
| Erick Sanchez |
Pachuca |
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FORWARDS
If Mexico are to enjoy a deep run this summer, it'll come down to Santi Gimenez continuing his ascendency into superstardom. The striker is the closest thing El Tri have to a breakout star thanks to his rise at Feyenoord.
Out wide, Mexico have Julian Quinones and Uriel Antuna to call upon. Quinones recently joined up with El Tri, having made his debut in the fall after becoming a naturalized Mexican citizen.
| Name |
Club |
| Uriel Antuna |
Cruz Azul |
| Marcelo Flores |
Tigres |
| Santi Gimenez |
Feyenoord |
| Cesar Huerta |
Pumas |
| Guillermo Martinez |
UNAM |
| Julian Quinones |
Club America |
| Alexis Vega |
Toluca |
