MIAMI, Florida – Reigning champions Mexico will begin the defense of their Gold Cup title by tangling with Prelims winner Trinidad and Tobago in Group A on Saturday night at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
It will be the fifth Gold Cup meeting between the two sides and if it is anything like their previous Gold Cup encounter, fans can expect plenty of goal-scoring fireworks.
Six years ago in the 2015 group stage, the two sides played to a thrilling 4-4 draw and there is enough attacking power on both sides to see a possible repeat.
El Tricolor boast a lot of star power, led by FW Hirving Lozano, who has 14 goals in 47 matches with Mexico. AT&T Stadium is also friendly territory for the Napoli danger man. In his last match in Arlington, Lozano scored two goals in a 2-1 friendly win versus Iceland on May 29.
Another striker to watch will be Rogelio Funes Mori, who made his Mexico debut last Saturday in a friendly with Nigeria and scored just four minutes into the match.
Not to be overlooked is winger Uriel Antuna, who scored four goals for Mexico in the 2019 Gold Cup, including a hat trick in a 7-0 win over Cuba.
Trinidad and Tobago come into Saturday’s encounter on a wave of confidence after defeating French Guiana in the Second Round of the Prelims to punch their group stage ticket.
The Soca Warriors got big-time performances from MF Kevin Molino, who scored two goals in the Prelims, plus Reon Moore, who scored two goals in the First Round win versus Montserrat.
Trinidad and Tobago can also count on the steady hands of GK Nicklas Frenderup, who allowed just two goals in the Prelims and made the decisive save in Trinidad and Tobago’s 8-7 penalty shootout win over French Guiana.
Two teams who don’t shy away from the big moment will make for an entertaining affair.
