Favored Mexico Is Putting Its Youngsters to the Test
Put yourself in Mexico Coach Manuel Lapuente’s shoes.
His team is the three-time defending Gold Cup champion, is ranked 10th in the world according to the latest FIFA rankings, and, with the help of a favorable draw, is the overwhelming favorite to win this year’s title.
So if you’re Lapuente, do you fill your roster solely with World Cup veterans and dominate the field? Or do you get a bit frisky and sprinkle your team with a dash of youth, giving the youngsters a taste of things to come while making Gold Cup 2000 a seemingly more competitive affair?
Lapuente chose the latter.
Mexico is still bringing its top players--forwards Jose Manuel Bundis and Luis Hernandez, midfielder Ramon Ramirez and defender Claudio Suarez all made the trip. But Lapuente also included seven players who are not yet 22 years old.
And Mexico is still favored to win its fourth Gold Cup in the five times CONCACAF’s biennial tournament has been played.
Mexico begins first-round play today with a 2 p.m. match against Trinidad and Tobago in the second game of a doubleheader at Qualcomm Stadium. Canada and Costa Rica play at noon.
Mexico has not lost a Gold Cup match since dropping a 2-0 decision to the United States in the 1991 semifinals, a loss that cost Lapuente his job. He is back, though, as is Mexico’s Gold Cup dominance.
Since the loss, Mexico is 13-0-1 in the tournament while outscoring opponents 47-4.
Yet, as far as Mexico is concerned, its path to another championship was made clearer by this year’s draw.
Mexico is in the lower half of the 12-team bracket along with fellow Group C nations Trinidad and Tobago, which is ranked 43rd in the world, and Guatemala, ranked 73rd. Group D comprises South Korea (52), Costa Rica (64) and Canada (80).
If all goes to plan, Mexico will stroll unscathed into the Feb. 27 final at the Coliseum, patiently awaiting the survivor of the other side of the bracket, which almost certainly will be a more hotly contested battle.
The winner of Group A--made up of Colombia (24) Jamaica (41) and Honduras (71)--will fight it out with the winner of Group B--USA (22), Peru (42) and Haiti (99)--for a slot in the championship match, presumably against Mexico.
The one-man show of Trinidad and Tobago is up first for Mexico, however. Dwight Yorke, who plays forward for Manchester United of the English Premier League, is making only his second appearance with his national team in more than three years.
