LAS VEGAS, Nevada – Mexico wrapped up their campaign in the 2022-23 Concacaf Nations League Finals with a 1-0 victory over Panama in the Third Place Match on Sunday afternoon at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.
For Mexico, it was important to bounce back from Thursday’s 3-0 semifinal defeat to the United States and gain some momentum going into the start of the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup, which kicks off next week.
Speaking exclusively with Concacaf.com following El Tricolor’s triumph, midfielder Orbelin Pineda said the win versus the Canaleros could be just the catalyst to propel Mexico toward a title run in the Gold Cup.
“I think it was necessary to get back our confidence, that it was time to win a game and have control of the ball. It is a good sign for what is coming in the Gold Cup,” said Pineda.
“We still have work to do and to get to know each other more and have confidence in what the manager asks of us,” added Pineda.
Perhaps more than anything it was important to demonstrate that Mexico could respond to adversity by trusting in each other to deliver a winning performance.
“I think this time we had more chances to have a command of the game and you saw it from the start. That helps us take a step forward. We have confidence, we have quality and we try to put that into place in the match,” said Pineda.
At age 27, Pineda has become one of the leaders of this Mexico team, which boasts many young players. He has already featured in three Gold Cups with Mexico, playing 12 games in total, helping El Tricolor lift the trophy in 2019 and scoring three goals in six matches in the 2021 edition.
More than ever, Pineda’s leadership ability will be called upon as Mexico turn their attention to the 2023 tournament.
“It helps me a lot and it helps me to improve. We have a good group; a healthy group and we have a lot of young players. We want that for whoever plays, may they play well and do it with a lot of confidence,” concluded Pineda.
