Mexico (National Football)

After 79 minutes of Monday’s Copa America Centenario fixture against Venezuela, things were looking a little grim for Mexico.

Trailing 1-0 after conceding an early goal to Jose Manuel Velazquez, El Tri were in danger of losing for the first time since June 19, 2015.

More importantly, for their hopes of winning the tournament in the United States, they were in danger of losing their grip on top spot in Group C. The ramifications were clear: Lose the game at NRG Stadium in Houston and it would mean a date with Argentina next.

When Venezuela goalkeeper Dani Hernandez made a spectacular double save with 15 minutes remaining to keep his side in front, Mexico must have feared the worst. Yet they did not need to panic. Late goals have become their specialty in this year's Copa America.

They popped up with an 80th-minute equaliser to not only save their unbeaten record but also spare their coach, Juan Carlos Osorio, from a media grilling over his team selection.

It always seemed like it might take something special to break down Venezuela. Jesus "Tecatito" Corona duly delivered the required moment of brilliance to get Mexico the point they required to finish on top.

The FC Porto winger slalomed his way through a plethora of defenders before rifling a right-footed shot beyond the previously unbeaten Hernandez. For the fourth time at the Copa, Mexico had found the net in the final 10 minutes of a fixture.

Tecatito's goal washttps://t.co/44hJhXAlwc

— Juan Direction (@JuanDirection57) June 14, 2016

The magical goal stretched the national team's undefeated streak to 22 games. It also means they are likely to face either Chile or Panama in the quarter-finals. Those teams face each other on Tuesday, with the winner set to finish behind Argentina—who play Bolivia—in Group D.

As wonderful as Corona’s strike was, there was an element of luck to it. The player had not been selected in the starting XI, but he was summoned from the bench after Javier Aquino picked up an injury in the first half.

Had it not been for someone else’s misfortune, Corona may never have seen the field. You’ve got to be good to be lucky, but also lucky to be good.

Aquino had been picked in a Mexican team that showed nine changes from the one that started the 2-0 win over Jamaica last time out.

Osorio is never afraid to mix and match, depending on the opponents. However, even by his standards of tinkering, it was a seismic shakeup for a game that was far from a dead rubber.

Resting Rafael Marquez made sense—he is 37 and had played 180 minutes in the space of four days—while forward Javier Hernandez was saved in a glass case that read: Break only in emergency.

With his team trailing and over an hour played, Osorio was forced to send on Chicharito.

The forward, perhaps still cold, fluffed a headed chance that could have drawn him level with Jared Borgetti's Mexican record of 46 goals.

But the biggest surprise from Mexico’s coach was not who played up top. It was the choice of Jose de Jesus Corona in goal, meaning all three 'keepers in the squad have now made an appearance in the group stage.

The last of the trio to get a chance was given no chance to save Venezuela’s 10th-minute goal. A deep free-kick was headed back across the area for Velazquez—a defender by trade—to scissor his legs in the air and acrobatically thrash a volley high into the net.

Mexico have conceded two goals so far in the 2016 Copa (the other one was scored by Uruguay's Diego Godin). Worryingly, both have come from set-piece opportunities.

Corona the goalkeeper will have to wait to see if he gets another opportunity to play. Corona the forward, meanwhile, is more likely to start next time out.

Tecatito was tremendous, as Jon Arnold pointed out for Goal: "With the attack struggling for fluidity, Corona took it upon himself to make something happen. It was his individual runs, darting in from the left side that opened things up."

El Tri have great depth, giving Osorio options for all types of circumstances.

The Colombian’s desire for change has at least given the majority of his squad a taste of the action, as Eric Gomez made clear on Twitter:

21 of 23 players used thus far by Osorio. Good numbers, if you're testing out options in a couple of friendlies. #MEXvVEN

— Eric Gomez (@EricGomez86) June 14, 2016

Now, though, they've reached the business end of the competition. The time for experimentation is over.

Tecatito's goal has made his nation's route to the final a little easier. Just a little, mind you. Colombia could lie in wait in the semis, provided they can get past Peru.

Mexico's progression from Group C has been far from routine, yet they’ve found a way to come through tough moments.

That bodes well, as the pressure will only increase now with each outing.

Follow @RobLancs79

https://twitter.com/Osovisionn/status/742534879313682432

Mexico's Jesus "Tecatito" Corona made a run like a man who had no desire to finish in second place in Group C of this year's Copa America.

The Porto man cut through the Venezuelan defence and neatly finished to give Mexico a vital equaliser and push his team back to the top of Group C.

And all the buzz was around the sensational effort to bring things level:

GOAL, Mexico! What a run and goal from Tecatito!

Mexico 1-1 Venezuela #CopaAmerica

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) June 14, 2016

So #Mexico just had the goal of the tournament and the save of the tournament. Looking for video. #copaamerica

— Milton Valencia (@MiltonValencia) June 14, 2016

That run from Tecatito for Mexico, though. 👌

Man on a mission! #CopaAmerica pic.twitter.com/Xlj5MdBXKa

— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 14, 2016

[Twitter]

Even @CH14_ gets starstruck 😮

Check what happened when he met @JJWatt:https://t.co/FNTA0xzFnv #Copa100 #MEXvVENhttps://t.co/ALx4ZwkVCH

— Bundesliga English (@Bundesliga_EN) June 13, 2016

Sometimes it takes the presence of a gigantic human to remind us that the world's biggest superstars are, after all, human.

That's exactly what happened when Mexico star Chicharito met Houston Texans star J.J. Watt on Sunday. El Tri were in Houston for Monday's Copa America Centenario group-stage match against Venezuela.

Chicharito may be one of the most popular athletes in Mexico, but even he was giddy in the presence of the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

😱🙏🏽😱🙏🏽😱 thank you for this amazing moment!!! @JJWatt !!!! https://t.co/cflVBofgvO

— Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez (@CH14_) June 13, 2016

That feeling when you realize you're about to meet J.J. Watt.

We see you @CH14_. 😳 #SomosTexans pic.twitter.com/g8L4dhN2mY

— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) June 13, 2016

See, they're just like the rest of us.

Un sueño hecho realidad… Gracias @JJWatt !!!

A dream come true… Thank you @JJWatt !!! pic.twitter.com/ruaKBaEsZO

— Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez (@CH14_) June 13, 2016

[Bundesliga]

Many expected two teams to sail through Copa America Centenario Group C. Not many predicted that Venezuela would be one of them.

Mexico and Uruguay were the clear favourites to progress to the quarter-finals and heading into the final round of fixtures in the group stage, the main issue for debate was supposed to be which of the two would finish first or second.

That's still the case, although Venezuela are in Uruguay's place and it's a shoot-out with Mexico for top spot.

Uruguay lost both their games, against Mexico 3-1 in the opener, then 1-0 in a frustrating clash with the Vinotinto, with Luis Suarez failing to make it onto the pitch because of his hamstring injury.

That was a big problem for the Celeste, although also a story for another day. The Group C team with the biggest potential to influence the Copa America tournament is Mexico.

One of El Tri and Venezuela will be facing Argentina in the quarter-finals and when they clash at Houston's NRG Stadium on Monday night, the aim will be topping the group to avoid Lionel Messi and Co.

Unlike Colombia, who lost 3-2 against Costa Rica on Saturday night, Mexico are expected to pick a strong team to face Venezuela to secure top spot.

With passage to the quarter-finals assured, Juan Carlos Osorio is likely make some changes but they will not be as wholesale as Jose Pekerman's.

The Colombia coach changed 10 players and paid the price, although with Brazil’s elimination they have now been drawn against Peru in the quarter-finals, which is not a bad outcome for Los Cafeteros.

Osorio made four switches against Jamaica from the first game, showing he doesn't mind a bit of rotation, and striker Oribe Peralta said that the squad accepts the coach's tactical shuffling.

Per FourFourTwo.com he said: “We take it very well because you have to be 100 per cent for each game. Because you do not know when your moment will be, you have to give it your best shot when you have the chance.

“Ultimately, we are all here for what we have done and what we can give.”

A draw against Venezuela would give Mexico top spot, because they have a better goal difference, plus four to the plus two of their opponents, going into Monday night's game.

Good news for Mexico is that Andres Guardado will be back after being suspended during the 2-0 win over Jamaica. He was sent off against Uruguay and was missed by his side.

The PSV star plays a key steadying role in midfield, helping out both defensively and in attack, the glue in Mexico's midfield.

Guardado will be well-rested and ready to perform against Venezuela, who have proven hard work to handle for Uruguay and Jamaica.

Osorio's team are hard work to handle themselves, having won all nine matches under the coach and conceded just one goal in that time period.

Mexico’s performances at the Copa have generally been good overall, although there have been worrying spells where they lost control of the game.

Against Uruguay in the second half they were under the cosh and the same was true of their clash with Jamaica. There were too many mistakes and against stronger teams, they may get punished.

In the negative column is the pitch at the NRG, which Osorio criticised in his press conference on Sunday night.

The team were supposed to train at the stadium but decided to go to an indoor centre because of heavy rain in the southern US city. Osorio said, according to Goal.com:

We’re very worried about the state of the pitch. [There were] two injured players yesterday [during Colombia vs Costa Rica]. We don’t know if it was chance or if it had a lot to do with the pitch. But it would be unfair on my part, very unfair on my part, to pick the group thinking that these players might get injured, but these players not. So, zero. This doesn’t matter. We’re thinking it’s not going to happen, that nobody’s going to have a knock and we’re going to play the best XI possible tomorrow.

However, Mexico can be sure to count on wild support on Monday night. Jamaica and Leicester City defender Wes Morgan said after their last game, also per Goal.com:

Support is always important, and they were the 12th man for Mexico today. You’ve got to give it to the Mexicans, they always show up when their team needs them the most, the supporters. The passion is unbelievable, and we hope and we pray that one day our nation will get that support, just as Mexico is getting it now.

El Tri have given their fans plenty to cheer about. Mexico have had five goalscorers so far, with Alvaro Pereira's own goal, Rafa Marquez, Hector Herrera, Javier Hernandez ("Chicharito") and Peralta on the scorsheet so far.

That shows that even though Bayer Leverkusen forward Chicharito is the main striking threat, goals can come from anywhere if necessary.

Mexico's strong squad for the tournament gives them depth that other teams, like Venezuela can only dream of.

That could pay dividends in the latter stages when Osorio can make changes and bring match-fit, quality players into the team to replace tired or suspended stars.

Another factor with both a long and short-term pay off, is that while other teams have suffered because of their hectic travel schedules, Mexico's has been relatively light.

They played in Glendale, Arizona, then Pasadena, Los Angeles, before now appearing in Houston, Texas. It is a total distance of less than 2,000 miles.

Another incentive to beat Venezuela and top the group is that they could then play their quarter-final clash, almost certainly against Chile or Panama, in Santa Clara, which would be a short trip again.

Mexico are extremely well-positioned to go far in this year’s Copa America Centenario. Beating Venezuela—or simply not losing to them—would be a stepping stone on the way to glory.

However, as Jesus “Tecatito” Corona pointed out, if anything is going to harm Mexico, it will be themselves.

He told Univision (link in Spanish): "We have to be a little calmer, sometimes we are our own worst enemy because we get too desperate."

Based on the evidence of the first two games, he is correct. If Mexico can eliminate the mistakes from their game, the periods where they cede possession of the ball to their opponents, they will see off Venezuela and go storming into the quarter-finals with wind in their sails.

Can the real Mexico please stand up?

So far at the Copa America Centenario in the United States, El Tri have turned in 90 minutes of excellence. The only problem is they’ve combined that 90 minutes across two games.

In their Group C opener, Mexico managed to make Uruguay—a nation ranked ninth in the world by FIFA—look distinctly ordinary in the first half.

They dominated possession and caused problems with their movement and pace. It was thoroughly enjoyable to watch, provided you were not supporting Uruguay.

In the second half, however, Mexico lost their way against 10 men. After conceding a soft equaliser, two late goals snatched a 3-1 victory against an opposing lineup lacking the talismanic Luis Suarez.

Jamaica were not expected to provide such a stern test on Thursday, yet only some wayward finishing from Clayton Donaldson—plus some dubious officiating on a second-half penalty call—allowed Mexico clinch a 2-0 win.

It shows how much is expected of this current group of players that Mexico cannot be entirely happy with their tournament so far, even though they are already certain of qualifying for the knockout stages.

The issue for head coach Juan Carlos Osorio's squad is the margin for error is now shrinking.

El Tri face surprise package Venezuela on Monday in their final group fixture.

Despite failing to pick up a solitary point in six 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches in the CONMEBOL section, La Vinotinto have recorded two 1-0 wins on American soil.

Both nations are already certain of a place in the knockout stages ahead of their fixture at the NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, yet that doesn’t mean they can coast through the contest.

The winner of the game looks likely to face potential Group D runner-up Chile in the next round.

While wanting a quarter-final tie against the reigning Copa champions may seem unwise, it is better than the alternative—Lionel Messi's Argentina.

Mexico deserve to be considered serious contenders for the trophy. However, they will know—or at least have been told by journalists in recent days—that they have not beaten Los Gauchos since 2004 (and yes, Rafael Marquez did play in that 1-0 win).

In their most recent meeting, El Tri surrendered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 in a friendly last September.

They have a far better record against Chile, though. They have not lost in the last four fixtures between the countries, including recording a 1-0 triumph in a Copa warm-up fixture on June 2.

So, in effect, every match for Osorio’s side now matters. The route to the final was always going to be tricky, but at least they can control which path they head down.

Whoever El Tri face in the next round, they cannot afford to blow hot and cold, as they did against Uruguay.

They cannot risk being as sloppy in possession as they were against Jamaica either. Giving the ball away to The Reggae Boyz in your own half is one thing—doing the same to a side that contains a player like Messi is committing football suicide.

Journalist Tom Marshall pointed out as much for ESPN FC: "Put simply: If Mexico plays the same way—and makes similar errors—further down the line as it did against Jamaica, it can forget any thoughts of winning the Copa America Centenario. Lessons must be learned."

Midfielder Jesus Corona believes the key for El Tri is composure, according to comments he made during a news conference:

We should have a bit more calm. Sometimes we're our own worst enemy because we get exasperated. We've got to keep playing with this force, this personality. There were 10 minutes where we came out playing well [against Jamaica], after that we didn't. We fell into these moments of impatience, but we've got to keep showing character and getting the ball.

Here is a squad on a 21-match unbeaten streak that knows it still has to get better.

Osorio has been in charge for the last nine matches of the run. The Colombian had a rather soft start to life in the job, although that should not detract from his achievements.

Wins over Canada (twice), El Salvador and Honduras in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying boosted confidence and gave the new boss the chance to get his feet under the table.

Now, however, both the coach and his players are gearing up for sterner tests in the coming days. It will be fascinating to see how they perform under greater pressure.

Group C may not have panned out quite as expected, but a game against Venezuela will shape Mexico’s 2016 Copa destiny.

On the surface, Mexico's Copa America Centenario clash against Jamaica couldn't have gone much better.

In recording a 2-0 win in front of a crowd of 83,263 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Thursday, El Tri kept a clean sheet, extended their unbeaten run to 21 games and booked a place in the quarter-finals of the tournament. Perfect, right?

However, if you scratch a little deeper below the bare facts, there are reasons why Mexican fans shouldn't get too carried away just yet.

The repeat of the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup final basically boiled down to a tale of two strikers.

While Javier Hernandez showed his predatory instincts with Mexico's opening goal in the 18th minute, fellow forward Clayton Donaldson had a game to forget for Jamaica.

The Reggae Boyz had enough chances to get at least a draw from the contest. Instead, their profligacy in the penalty area must have had coach Winfried Schafer—watching from the stands after being sent off during his side's 1-0 loss to Venezuela—pulling his lovely hair out.

Donaldson was twice guilty of dragging wide glorious shooting opportunities inside the area, while he also took a theatrical tumble in the first half when well placed to pull the trigger again.

When the same player seemed to be clipped by Yasser Corona in the box after the break, the officials denied him a penalty.

Think of it as the footballing equivalent of Aesop's fable, "The Boy Who Cried Wolf." There was contact, but Donaldson exaggerated his fall.

I hope Mexico at least sends a cookie bouquet or something to Clayton Donaldson after this one. #MEXvJAM

— Jon Arnold (@ArnoldcommaJon) June 10, 2016

Hernandez, in contrast, was clinical with his solitary chance in the first half.

According to the official website, the Rose Bowl plays host to the monthly R.G. Canning flea market on Sunday. Less than 72 hours before the shoppers arrive at the famous venue, Chicharito offered another example of why Bayer Leverkusen picked up a bargain.

According to Transfermarkt, the Bundesliga club forked out £9 million to sign the player in the summer of 2015. Hernandez more than justified the fee with 26 goals in his debut season in Germany.

He is a prolific poacher who was badly pigeonholed as a super sub during spells at both Manchester United and Real Madrid.

Per Grant Wahl of Sports Illustrated, Chicharito revealed he uses more than just his eyes to spot an opportunity: "If you’re inside the box and a cross is coming, sometimes you need, as we say in Spanish, to smell the intuition, to smell where the cross is going."

He certainly sniffed out his goal against Jamaica.

Despite the presence of defenders Wes Morgan and Jermaine Taylor inside the area, Hernandez somehow squeezed between the colossal centre-backs.

His awareness, coupled with his clever movement, allowed him to head home Jesus Manuel Corona's cross from the left and take him to 45 goals for his country.

Add another tournament to the list, Chicharito. 🔥🇲🇽 #CopaAmerica pic.twitter.com/nbkGd8ZR3h

— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 10, 2016

Hernandez's senses did not work quite so well in the second half, as he narrowly failed to convert Raul Jimenez's header back across the face of goal. It did not matter in the final reckoning.

Mexico eventually made the game safe when substitute Oribe Peralta steered a left-footed shot on target to double his side's lead in the 81st minute.

Head coach Juan Carlos Osorio deserves some credit for the second goal, too. As was the case in the 3-1 victory over Uruguay in El Tri's tournament opener, the Mexico boss withdrew Hernandez late on. And, once again, the replacement's impact justified the change.

Peralta's shot was hardly hit with power, but it had the precision to beat Jamaica goalkeeper Andre Blake and go in off the post.

Jimenez—who had been involved in Mexico's two late goals on Sunday after his introduction off the bench—was handed a starting role against Jamaica.

So too was goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa. The 30-year-old vindicated his selection ahead of Alfredo Talavera with one vital block from Michael Hector before the half-time interval. He also made another save to prevent Jamaica halving the deficit with six minutes to play, preserving his clean sheet in the process.

Mexico is on to the #CopaAmerica quarterfinals!

Mexico improves to 9-0 under Juan Carlos Osorio (8 shutouts). pic.twitter.com/UCIEha0GCA

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 10, 2016

Osorio can feel rightly pleased about the choices of Jimenez and Ochoa in his starting XI.

What he won't appreciate so much is his side's carelessness in possession. El Tri were too often guilty of surrendering the ball close to their own goal—a better side than Jamaica would have made them pay.

Mexico also struggled badly when attempting to switch play. Long, raking passes to the wings were a bright idea, but too often the execution let them down.

As journalist Cesar Hernandez pointed out on Twitter, the absence of the suspended Andres Guardado was keenly felt in El Tri's midfield.

Mexico is winning, but the passing has been...average at best. Too many long balls at first and obviously missing Guardado in midfield.

— Cesar Hernandez (@cesarhfutbol) June 10, 2016

Osorio—who also demonstrated his willingness to make changes by switching formation from 3-4-3 to 4-3-3 at half-time—can take plenty from his team's performance, both good and bad.

Jon Arnold of Goal noted: "More than 83,000 fans at the Rose Bowl can celebrate a well-earned victory, but Osorio is the first to realise that there's still more work to do before his side lands among the elite in this tournament."

Jamaica's Copa campaign has taken the same path as the nation's bobsleigh team in the film Cool Runnings—it's gone downhill fast.

As for Mexico, their stock continues to rise. What should delight their coach is that while they have started out with back-to-back victories, there is still plenty of room for improvement.

They now move on to face Venezuela, surprise 1-0 winners over Uruguay on Thursday, in a straight shootout for top spot in Group C.

The outcome of Monday's game in Houston, Texas, will be crucial, considering Argentina will likely lie in wait for the team that finishes second in the table.

Mexico can punch their ticket to the Copa America Centenario quarterfinals with a 10th straight win when they take on Jamaica on Thursday as strong -315 betting favorites (wager $315 to win $100) at sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark.

Jamaica looks to bounce back from a sloppy 1-0 loss to Venezuela in their tournament opener, pegged as heavy underdogs in this Group C matchup at the Rose Bowl.

Match Odds: Mexico -315, Jamaica +950, Draw +400

Mexico will be looking to maintain the torrid pace that has seen them go undefeated since being bounced in the group stage of last year's Copa America, claiming victory in each of their past nine contests while avoiding defeat in each of their past 13 games.

El Tricolor tallied an incredible eight clean sheets during their win streak before finally surrendering a goal to Uruguay in a 3-1 win in their Copa America opener, rewarding bettors while listed as +155 favorites against their toughest group stage challenger.

The win over Uruguay also ended Mexico's six-match losing streak at the tournament dating back to 2007 and marks their third straight win over a quality opponent after blanking both Paraguay and Chile in pre-tournament matchups.

The club has also soared on the Copa America Centenario odds since opening at an attractive +1,100, trailing only tournament favorite Argentina as a +450 bet to claim their first Copa America crown.

Jamaica enters Thursday's contest in search of their first win at the Copa America after failing 1-0 to Venezuela in their first group stage matchup.

The Jamaican national squad entered the tourney on a high after shocking Chile in a pre-tournament matchup, handing the defending tournament champs a 2-1 defeat on their home turf.

But the squad largely defeated themselves in their loss to Venezuela, playing short-handed for much of the contest after veteran Rodolph Austin was given a red card just minutes after the lone goal of the match. They have now failed to find the back of the net in four all-time Copa America matches.

Jamaica is also winless in seven of their past 10 outings overall and will be hard-pressed to reverse their dismal record against the Tricolor, posting just one win in their past 12 meetings. Those trends are reflected in their long +50,000 odds of emerging as unlikely tournament champions.

Mexico vs. Jamaica Prediction: Mexico 2-0

All betting lines data courtesy of Odds Shark. Check out the latest Copa America news.

After seeing a young George Best in action, scout Bob Bishop sent a telegram to then-Manchester United manager Matt Busby that famously read: "Boss, I think I’ve found you a genius."

Boy, was Bishop right.

The Red Devils signed Best and, despite a busy lifestyle off the pitch, the Northern Irishman became an all-time great at Old Trafford.

These days, of course, scouts don't need to send telegrams to tell a club they've spotted a player with potential.

Whatever method of communication they do use, Manchester United's scouting network in Mexico has alerted the club about the talents of Hirving Lozano.

Now, the introduction was not to suggest that the Red Devils may be ready to snap up the next George Best. It's tough to imagine there will ever be another quite like the player once nicknamed "El Beatle."

However, they—along with several other European clubs—are reportedly keen on the Mexican winger.

Lozano showed exactly why he's attracting interest during his second-half cameo for El Tri in the 3-1 win over Uruguay on Sunday.

Summoned from the bench to replace Javier Aquino after 55 minutes of his country's Copa America Centenario opener in Glendale, Arizona, Lozano caught the eye with his pace and persistence.

He played a part in Mexico's second and third goals, including combining with team-mate Raul Jimenez to set up a header for Hector Herrera that made certain of victory in stoppage time.

Potential suitors will have known plenty about Lozano's qualities before Sunday's game.

The 20-year-old arrived at the Copa fresh from a highly productive season with Pachuca that climaxed with a domestic title.

Hirving Lozano: Only Franco Jara (18) scored more goals for Pachuca in all comps last season than Lozano (12) pic.twitter.com/tQnsg6Y2lJ

— WhoScored (@WhoScored) June 7, 2016

It seems unlikely he will be returning to the same club after completing his international commitments with Mexico in the United States.

Pachuca vice-president Andres Fassi told Record MX (h/t Arindam Rej of ESPN FC):

There have been approaches. There will be time to focus on the future of Hirving Lozano.

There is a situation of confidentiality for 30 days with 12 teams. They are evaluating, looking at options, making plans, but I cannot say anything else. Three of the 12 teams are better placed, that is all we can say—due to the confidentiality clauses in place.

Pachuca, for several years, has a structure of great relationship with many teams in England, Portugal, Spain, France, Italy and Germany. Some agreements allow the players to go to Europe in the future.

While Fassi didn't mention them by name, Manchester United are believed to be one of Lozano's suitors. Tom Marshall of ESPN FC reported the English club's interest in the player back in April.

In the same month, Jack Gaughan of the MailOnline discussed Lozano with scout Neil McGuinness, who said: "Lozano is a player that I have been watching for years and have recommended to many—which is why I am amazed that he is still playing in Mexico. At 20 he has already been in the first-team setup for seasons."

Lozano might not be waiting much longer for his chance to play in Europe. However, before he can negotiate a new home, he must first focus on helping his country.

Mexico's triumph over Uruguay puts them in pole position to win Group C. If they finish top, they could avoid a quarter-final clash with Argentina, who seized control of Group D by beating reigning champions Chile 2-1 on Monday.

Still, Juan Carlos Osorio's side cannot get too far ahead of themselves. Next up they have Jamaica in a repeat of the 2015 Gold Cup final—Mexico won 3-1 on that occasion. 

Andres Guardado scored one of their goals in the win, but the midfielder will miss the game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, through suspension.

While Osorio has to make a change in midfield with Guardado missing due to his red card against Uruguay, he also has to fathom out who will start on the wings.

Aquino and Jesus Manuel Corona did nothing wrong in the Copa opener. For the first 45 minutes, El Tri were outstanding.

Lozano can only hope he did enough after coming on to earn a starting berth. But, if he is on the bench again on Thursday, his pace is an asset that will likely be used against tiring defenders after the interval.

Hirving Lozano is so fast it's like Mexico has a two-man advantage.

— Eric Gomez (@EricGomez86) June 6, 2016

As well as being quick, he's also versatile. 

According to Transfermarkt.co.uk, Lozano started on the left wing for Pachuca last season on 30 occasions. However, he also appeared on the right, and in the middle, of the forward line.

That ability to play anywhere across the front should delight Osorio, a coach who preaches flexibility to his players.

That is not quite the case with Jose Mourinho. The new Manchester United manager likes his wide men to work hard going backwards as well as forwards.

The transfer talk doesn't seem to have turned Lozano's head. He refused to comment on speculation over his future at a press conference after training on Tuesday.

According to Jon Arnold of Goal, the player said: "I think first, I’m going to focus here on the national team, finish this tournament well and, well, obviously after that see what happens."

Quite right too. Mexico have high hopes this could be the year they lift the Copa America trophy for the first time in their history.

Wherever he's positioned, and whether he starts or comes on as an impact sub, Lozano can be a pivotal player for El Tri.

On Wednesday night at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, Mexico and Chile met for a friendly in their final Copa America warm-up.

Mexico won 1-0, with a goal from birthday boy Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez nodded in late in the game to celebrate the date in the best way possible.

Even though it was a friendly, it demonstrated five clear reasons why El Tri are genuine contenders for the Copa Centenario.

Firstly, the fact they won. Chile are the reigning champions, having won last year's edition on home soil.

How they play in the tournament will not be the same as in this game, particularly because the lineup was weakened, but Mexico showed their ability to ride out a storm. La Roja dominated the early stages before sucker-punching Chile late in the day with a wonderful break.

Over 68,000 fans attended the friendly, showing how well-supported Juan Carlos Osorio’s side will be in this tournament, given the millions of Mexicans living in the United States.

Unlike the Copa Centenario hosts, football is a key element of Mexican culture, and the fans will be passionate and present in droves. This is the second reason to back the North American giants.

"The Tri is probably the most important part of most men’s lives in Mexico," Osorio told the BBC World Service. That means there is pressure to succeed, but also unchecked desire.

Mexico play Uruguay in their first game in Phoenix. Celeste coach Oscar Washington Tabarez believes those fans could make a big difference, per ESPN:

[Mexico] is always a difficult rival and in addition to that, the way I see it, it is going to be the home team, more so than the United States, and for that we are going to have a very interesting debut. Mexico is a North American power and in addition to that it has a great organization with powerful internal football process.

The tournament looked for a long while as if it would be played in Mexico, until it was decided late on that the USA would host it. But no matter—the Mexicans will make it feel otherwise, as Tabarez pointed out.

The third reason is the goalscorer: Chicharito. The 28-year-old comes into the tournament off a wonderful season with Bayer Leverkusen, and given just 12 minutes off the bench against Chile, he found the winning goal.

He peeled away from the defence intelligently and arced his header into the top corner to send Mexico into the tournament with confidence.

The striker notched 26 goals for Leverkusen and, after years being a reserve for the likes of Manchester United and Real Madrid, is proving he has what it takes to cut it at the game’s top levels.

Fourthly, Hernandez’s presence, alongside the country’s other top stars, is a huge help. In Chile last year, they brought a reserve squad, with the star names reserved for the Gold Cup.

This time, Mexico are at virtually full strength, and several key players are in form. As well as Chicharito, Andres Guardado is enjoying a sublime moment.

He will play Mexico’s quarter-back role, fresh off a second consecutive title triumph with PSV Eindhoven in Holland. Guardado has matured from a wide player into a wonderful central midfielder, and his country may enjoy the fruits of his labour this summer.

Finally, the fifth reason Mexico enter the Copa Centenario as legitimate contenders is that their statistics under Osorio are spectacular.

They have seven wins in seven games under the new coach and have not yet shipped a single goal during his reign. It is the longest run in their history without letting in a goal, at 730 minutes unbeaten—the previous best was 722 minutes, set in 1971.

That will have to change this summer, but Mexico come into the tournament in fantastic form, with the wind filling their sails.

The last time Mexico tasted defeat was at last summer’s Copa America, a full 19 games ago, something no other side in international football can boast.

Since then, they have become Gold Cup champions and are running clear at the top of their Russia 2018 World Cup qualifying group, eight points clear of both Honduras and Canada. By contrast, the United States are second in theirs, three points behind Trinidad and Tobago.

There are further reasons to back El Tri. For one, their travel schedule is very friendly. They kick off against Uruguay on Sunday in Glendale, Arizona. Their second game sees them face Jamaica in Pasadena, Los Angeles, before heading to Houston, Texas, for the final group match, against Venezuela. A total travel distance of less than 2,000 miles.

Compare that to Uruguay, who start off facing Mexico in Arizona before being forced to fly over 2,300 miles north-east for their second game, against Venezuela. Then, in a further twist, they have to go more than 2,500 miles back west, to play against Jamaica in Santa Clara, California, close to 5,000 miles.

When games are so close together like at tournaments, these distances and the time spent travelling matters, not to mention Uruguay first losing and then gaining three hours because of their coast-to-coast trips.

Mexico are also in rude health going into the Copa America. There are no injury worries or problems. Luis Suarez, meanwhile, doesn’t seem like he will make Uruguay’s opening game after suffering a hamstring injury and has no set return date.

That’s the Celeste’s key player out for the match, which could decide which of Mexico or Uruguay tops the group and then potentially avoids Argentina in the next round.

Tata Martino’s side are still unsure if Lionel Messi will be available to play in their first match against Chile, while Brazil are in a state of disarray. Six members of Dunga’s squad have pulled out of the tournament because of injury, or in Luiz Gustavo’s case, personal reasons. And they don’t have their best player, Neymar, available either.

With none of the Copa’s traditional superpowers at their peak, Mexico will be looking to take advantage.

The clash with Uruguay at the Univeristy of Arizona stadium on Sunday is the biggest game of Osorio's tenure so far.

Most of the team is set in stone, although the goalkeeping situation is still yet to be decided. Guillermo Ochoa has been a reserve for Malaga, while Alfredo Talavera has earned far more minutes at Toluca, and also for the national side in key games under Osorio so far.

The other stopper is Cruz Azul's Jose de Jesus Corona, who is unlikely to start the tournament. The coach told ESPN:

We selected a goalkeeper whose best skills are shown in the aerial game, another one who's great at shot-blocking, and another one who's in the middle ground.

[…]

We wanted to pick three goalkeepers with different characteristics, so we can have all the possibilities available for any given scenario.

[...]

There's no starting goalkeeper; all three of them have great possibilities of starting.

Osorio believes his men can go all the way and lift the trophy. He spoke after the win against Chile, saying, per ESPN: "We arrive in a very good moment. With the talent and commitment of the players, combined with the strategy and the way they are carrying out the plans we have decided on, Mexico has a great chance."

The governor of Arizona, Doug Ducey, and mayor of Phoenix, Greg Stanton, welcomed the Mexican national team to Arizona when they arrived on Friday at the state’s capital’s Sky Harbor Airport, smiling, posing for photos and shaking hands.

They might not be so happy when Mexico leave the States, especially if El Tri have the Copa America Centenario trophy in tow, which is a real possibility. Argentina will be the favourites, but beware the men in green.

Some of the finest attacking talent at the 2016 Copa America will be on display when Mexico meet Uruguay in Group C in the early hours of Monday.

Much of the focus will be on strikers Javier Hernandez and Edinson Cavani. The latter will be under pressure to produce for a Uruguay squad set to miss star striker Luis Suarez for the group stage thanks to a hamstring injury.

Before a preview, read on for the schedule and viewing details:

Date: Monday, June 6

Time: 1 a.m. (BST). 8 p.m. (ET).

TV: Fox Sports 1. Premier Sports.

Live Stream: Fox Soccer2Go.

Preview

Mexico have been named as favourites for the group by Goal, and much of that belief is based on the club form of danger man Hernandez.

"Few players come into the Copa America on the back of a better season than Hernandez, who scored 17 goals to finish as the fourth-highest scorer in his first season in the Bundesliga," noted Goal's preview for the tournament. 

Hernandez is a ruthlessly efficient finisher in the box, able to put away chances with the right or left foot or by using his underrated ability in the air.

Yet as prolific as Bayer Leverkusen's top-scorer can be, another man may be Mexico's most important player in the final third. 

PSV Eindhoven playmaker Andres Guardado boasts the vision and craft to create the chances Hernandez will need to thrive. Back in March, Andrea Canales of ESPN FC wrote how Guardado's style of play perfectly fits a "group that uses clever passes and team movement to help combat the athleticism and larger size of many of their opponents."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfA6vEUwQxg

Stymieing Guardado's creative intent is no easy task, but Uruguay might have the ideal player for the job. Veteran defensive midfielder Egidio Arevalo Rios has been identified as one to watch by the Guardian's Jonathan Wilson.

"At 34, he’s not exactly a new talent bursting onto the stage, but he has been a weirdly underappreciated member of the Uruguay national side for a decade, his energy and reading of the game in front of the back four protecting tough but slow central defenders," he said.

Keeping Guardado quiet is one thing, but Uruguay's biggest challenge may be getting goals without talisman Suarez. His absence gives Cavani a great opportunity to shine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCofCgqsfq4

The Paris Saint-Germain No. 9 has the aerial presence, shooting power and excellent technique to trouble any defence at this year's Copa.

This is the marquee match of Group C and is likely to be a tight affair, especially early on. Mexico will play the better football and create chances, but even without Suarez, Uruguay are savvy enough to handle the pressure and sneak a goal of their own.

Prediction: 1-1.