Mexico vs. Ecuador preview: One last test for Martino before the Gold Cup
The Mexican National team looks to finish a perfect 4-0 in the friendly tune-up matches as it gets ready for the Gold Cup this summer.
Martino and his men are coming off a dominant come from behind 3-1 victory over Venezuela in Atlanta this past Wednesday. Even with an excellent finish to the game after a slow start, there was very little to celebrate as they will lose an essential figure to their team. Thirty-minutes in Edson Alvarez would have to be subbed out due to an apparent knee injury on the same knee that had previously given him problems. Alvarez has dismissed rumors of anything more severe than just a scare which leads many to believe he should be ready for the tournament this summer. Tata cited “We’re going to wait and see… Apart from the football, where it’s obvious he’s not the player you want to lose…It worries me or, better said, it makes me sad that with the effort he made may not be rewarded.” via GOAL. Alvarez has made the cut for the tournament, but should that not be the case he has LA Galaxy’s Uriel Antuna to replace him, although we are still waiting on an official statement from the Mexican Federation. Antuna who came in off the bench in the 76th minute had an assist just eight minutes later to Andres Guardado and could be an important figure moving on for this generation of Martino’s men.
To date, Tata has proven many of the critics wrong; even those who believed he would face the most crucial test as the manager for El Tri with many new faces. With veteran players and young stars on the rise, Martino has proven himself to be a coach many players can trust and buy into his system. In their last three games, they are 3-0 averaging 3.3 goals per game while conceding 1.3 goals in that stretch. They will be facing Ecuador this Sunday who is struggling as of late. In their last three, they have managed to draw twice and lost a close one to the USA. On paper, this is one El Tri should feel comfortable going into but regardless should not go overconfident. In their last eight match-ups, El Tri has taken six of those, but Ecuador was victorious in their previous encounter with a 2-1 victory in the 2015 Copa America group stage.
Mexico begins their Gold Cup campaign in the United States against Cuba on June 15 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA.
