The 2009 Gold Cup was a bit of an odd tournament, with the United States sending what amounted to a B- side and Mexico sending what was essentially a B+ side. Since El Tri and the USMNT are fairly even when both are at their best, with Mexico having more depth at their disposal, it should come as no surprise that Mexico destroyed the United States in that final. This season, both teams bring their best, and it should be a different story. There are all kinds of angles one can take when writing about this El Tri squad, but most of the stories have only been focused on one: Chicharito.
Gold Cup 2011 Previews: Mexico Look To Repeat With Strong Side, A New Striker Named Chicharito
Javier Hernandez went to the 2010 World Cup and performed well after a great campaign with Chivas de Guadalajara, ahead of his move to Manchester United. This eased the concerns of many that he wasn't ready for the big stage, but no one could have possibly predicted the season that he would have with the Red Devils. He's performed extremely well whenever he's put on a Mexico shirt since, and it's been just as much relief as it has been excitement for the Mexico fans.
For years, after Jared Borgetti and Cuauhtemoc Blanco saw their careers head south, Mexico had a bit of a revolving door of mediocre players at the striker position. The likes of Guillermo Franco, Miguel Sabah, Adolfo Bautista, Omar Bravo, Kikin Fonseca, and so on never lived up to the pedigrees of their legendary predecessors. Now, Mexico has a player whose potential and circumstances may lead him past the accomplishments of Borgetti. In the eyes of many, Hernandez is the next Hugo Sanchez.
It’s a giant leap of faith to compare anyone who has only played consistently at a high level for two seasons to Sanchez, but the Chicharito hype machine is very much in motion, and stopping it is going to be almost impossible. Even if the hype is much too overblown, Hernandez is the best center forward to play for Mexico for a long time. Not since the 2006 World Cup qualifying cycle have they had a player who was anywhere near his form and quality, and that alone makes Mexico the Gold Cup favorites.
Though the big story is Chicharito, much of the attack will come from Mexico's wings, where they finally have two in-form and fit starters nailed down. It was a tough campaign in the English Premier League for Pablo Barrera at West Ham, bu he's been brilliant every time he's worn a Mexico shirt since the World Cup, and he has the right wing position locked down. On the other flank, Andres Guardado has always been first choice when healthy, but that hasn't always been the case. Currently, he's fit and playing well, but he was not able to help his club Deportivo La Coruña avoid relegation, just like Barrera and West Ham. Both players are in form for Mexico, but both will likely be finding new club teams after the tournament concludes.
The No. 10 spot in Mexico's favored 4-2-3-1 setup is a peculiar one, with Sinha currently holding down the role. Sinha is 35 years old and a personal favorite of manager Jose Manuel 'Chepo' de la Torre, but he can't be more than a one tournament stopgap at the spot. The heir apparent has been Giovani Dos Santos for about seven years now, but he has not yet become the star he was supposed to be. He played brilliantly on loan at Racing Santander during the second half of the season, scoring five goals and keeping them in La Liga, so many feel he is finally turning a corner. He came on as a substitute in Mexico's recent friendly against Ecuador and looked very sharp.
In the center of midfield, Mexico plays a couple of great veterans in Israel Castro and Gerardo Torrado. If the predicted final between the United States and Mexico takes place, the best battle will probably be in the center of midfield, where the United States are arguably stronger than anywhere else on the pitch. Against everyone who isn't the United States, Torrado and Castro should control the middle, though Honduras will give them a serious run for their money.
The back line is without a doubt the most accomplished on the continent, and it’s probably where the biggest difference between Mexico and their rivals lies. El Tri has enough quality players to make the best back four in the tournament twice over, and that should be the real reason they’re the favorites, not Chicharito.
Projected starting lineup (4-2-3-1)
GK Guillermo Ochoa; LB Carlos Salcido, CB Fransisco Javier Rodriguez, CB Rafael Marquez, RB Ricardo Osorio; CM Israel Castro, CM Gerardo Torrado; LM Andres Guardado, CAM Sinha, RM Pablo Barrera; ST Javier Hernandez
Key Player
Gerardo Torrado - Sinha may be the No. 10, but Torrado is the engine that makes Mexico run
Impact Bench Players
Giovani Dos Santos, Jesus Zavala - Gio will be the primary attacking option off the bench, while Zavala is a versatile midfielder that Chepo de la Torre might use to close out tight games.
Prediction
Champions - The United States and Costa Rica have the ability to challenge Mexico and take their crown for sure, but Mexico are still the slight favorites to win this competition.
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