HOUSTON — Credit score is because of Mexico supervisor Jaime “Jimmy” Lozano, for now.
After taking a big gamble by leaving high-profile veterans similar to Hirving “Chucky” Lozano, Guillermo Ochoa and Raúl Jiménez off his Copa América roster, after which watching captain Edson Álvarez endure an damage throughout Saturday’s match opener vs. Jamaica, Mexico nonetheless discovered a method to escape NRG Stadium with a gutsy 1-0 victory.
Carried by a 69th-minute recreation winner from Gerardo Arteaga, El Tri secured three priceless factors of their first group stage conflict, but additionally claimed some worries about whether or not Alvarez will grow to be part of the rising checklist of absent stars.
Following examinations which might be set to be accomplished over the following couple of days, the West Ham midfielder may be a part of Membership América goalkeeper Luis Malagón, who was lately introduced as unavailable for the match due to an damage of his personal.
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“With Edson, we will wait till a few days to provide him an examination,” stated Lozano on Saturday about Álvarez, who’s on the radar of Manchester United. “Clearly as it’s with another participant, the intention is to not threat something. He felt one thing in his leg.”
However as for Chucky Lozano, Ochoa and Jiménez?
All three main absences have been tactical selections made by Jaime Lozano in an try to rebuild for the 2026 World Cup, which may find yourself hurting Mexico’s possibilities within the Copa America — particularly when you think about the looming presence they nonetheless had at Saturday’s recreation.
Strolling into NRG Stadium, it might have been simple to imagine that Lozano’s roster gamble had by no means occurred. Milling across the fan zone, which included pictures of Ochoa on a tequila commercial, numerous supporters sported the names of the celeb gamers who have been left off the squad.
Ochoa on a tequila advert on the fan fest in Houston, and loads of Chucky jerseys round as properly, regardless of each not being in Mexico’s Copa America roster.
Time will inform if Jimmy Lozano’s gamble with leaving out these veterans and others was the best determination, or untimely pic.twitter.com/ex7e0GCk7z
— Cesar Hernandez (@cesarhfutbol) June 22, 2024
Had Mexico misplaced or drawn in opposition to underdogs like Jamaica, a fan merely had to have a look at jerseys on their left or proper to know what was presumably lacking from El Tri. Whereas some have been sipping on tequila earlier than the sport within the fan zone, it is probably not a stretch that a couple of supporters have been bemused on the notion that the goalkeeping icon on the advert above them was nowhere to be discovered within the introduced gameday roster.
Roster depth has been a long-time concern for Mexico, and regardless of the necessity for a generational change forward of the World Cup, one may have argued that the choice to depart out the well-known veterans was and maybe nonetheless is untimely.
Be mindful, Lozano is aware of that that is a very powerful match in his teaching profession.
“Indubitably, surely, after all,” he stated on Friday when requested whether or not this was the largest problem of his run as supervisor.
“A Copa América is unquestionably only a step beneath a World Cup. As a result of we aren’t at all times invited, as a result of there are groups which have been world champions many occasions. Indubitably, surely, a very powerful match [of my career].”
And but, he nonetheless made the wager, taking an opportunity on his Texas maintain ’em hand that received him all of Saturday’s chips.
Hitting the bottom operating with extra possession within the first half, Mexico seemed superior over their opponents, typically controlling the momentum of the match. Even after Alvarez’s damage, and a Jamaica objective referred to as offside by VAR, El Tri did properly to compose themselves and construct the arrogance wanted that led to Arteaga’s alternative.
“It is not simple to get well and stay balanced after your captain exits so quickly,” Lozano stated. “However it appears to me that the crew stabilized shortly.”
The match was tense, and Jamaica saved tempo with alternatives of their very own, nevertheless it was Arteaga’s strike within the second half that proved to be the difference-maker. With the lead in hand, and with substitute Luis Romo doing properly to take over Alvarez’s place within the coronary heart of the XI and goalkeeper Julio González standing tall in objective, Mexico secured three factors by the ultimate whistle.
“Out of the blue we had extra readability with the ball and we have been higher positioned,” Lozano stated. “The crew settled down, performed with character and in addition generated some very priceless and essential possibilities.”
Three factors earned, however Lozano cannot money out simply but. Realistically talking, Jamaica have been the simplest opponents on the Group B poker desk.
With or with out Alvarez as their chief, Mexico will quickly discover themselves in opposition to tougher opposition of their upcoming matches vs. Venezuela and Ecuador. Whereas El Tri needs to be pleased with narrowly escaping with a victory in opposition to a fellow Concacaf colleague like Jamaica amid a roster transition, the problem will likely be far larger as they shut out the group stage with true CONMEBOL hurdles on the horizon.
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Credit score needs to be given to Lozano and his gamers, however the job is way from accomplished for the match’s two-time finalists who’re anticipated to no less than transcend the group stage.
And greater than probably in these upcoming matches that might resolve whether or not El Tri transfer on, these looming veteran figures will stay, presumably as a reminder of what Mexico could also be lacking. Relying on how issues go, Alvarez might be a part of the absences as properly.