Mexico under Pressure: Copa America Soccer Odds and Predictions

Mexico has never really had the highest soccer odds on the world stage, yet their fan base believes that they should be competing at the highest level of every major tournament they take part in. That is why they came into the Copa America carrying a level of pressure that is usually only reserved for the likes of Brazil and Argentina. They have failed to live up to expectations through the first two games of Group A, and they now find themselves in something of a must win situation heading into their final group game against Ecuador. Mexico started out their tournament with a disappointing 0-0 draw against Bolivia, and then followed that up with a 3-3 ties against the hosts, Chile. Depending on what happens in the other final group games, a draw might be enough to get Mexico one of the best third place finisher spots, but they can control their own destiny with a win, as 5 points should be enough to get them into the quarter finals. The pressure is going to be on the Mexicans once again, but they proved against a very talented Chile side that they can compete in this tournament. Ecuador came into the 2015 Copa America with very few people believing that they could make an impact of any kind. It’s not that they are a particularly bad team, but they are lacking in the sort of star power that the bigger South American teams have to pull from. Unfortunately for Ecuador and their fans, the team has lived up to their lowly billing through the first two games of the group phase. They had a tough start, as they were forced to open the tournament against the host nation, Chile, going down 2-0. They followed that up with a pretty solid effort against Bolivia, but still came up a little short, losing 3-2. They will be playing this final game for pride alone, and they would love nothing more than to spring the upset that sends the Mexicans packing.

Final Team Squads

MEXICO Goalkeepers: Jose Corona (Cruz Azul), Alfredo Talavera (Toluca), Meliton Hernandez (Veracruz) Defenders: George Corral (Queretaro), Gerardo Flores (Cruz Azul), Rafael Marquez (Verona), Hugo Ayala (UANL), Julio Dominguez (Cruz Azul), Carlos Salcedo (Guadalajara), Miguel Angel Herrera (Pachuca), Adrian Aldrete (Santos Laguna), Efrain Velarde (Monterrey) Midfielders: Mario Osuna (Queretaro), Juan Carlos Medina (Atlas), Javier Guemez (Tijuana), Jesus Manuel Corona (FC Twente), Javier Aquino (Rayo Vallecano), Luis Montes (Leon), Marco Fabian (Guadalajara) Forwards: Raul Jimenez (Atletico Madrid), Eduardo Herrera (UNAM), Enrique Esqueda (UANL), Vicente Matias Vuoso (Chiapas) ECUADOR Goalkeepers: Alexander Domínguez (Liga de Quito), Esteban Dreer (Emelec), Librado Azcona (Independiente del Valle) Defenders: Juan Carlos Paredes (Watford), Frickson Erazo (Gremio), Gabriel Achilier (Emelec), Jhon Narváez (Emelec), Oscar Bagüí (Emelec), Walter Ayoví (Pachuca), Arturo Mina (Independiente del Valle), Mario Pineida (Independiente del Valle) Midfielders: Christian Noboa (PAOK), Renato Ibarra (Vitesse), Pedro Larrea (Liga de Loja), Pedro Quinonez (Emelec), Osbaldo Lastra (Emelec), Fidel Martínez (Pumas), Jonathan Gonzáles, (Universidad de Guadalajara), Juan Cazares (Banfield) Forwards: Enner Valencia (West Ham), Jaime Ayoví (Godoy Cruz), Jefferson Montero (Swansea), Miller Bolanos (Emelec) Both teams are going to come out hard to try and avoid being at the bottom of the group. Mexico has history on their side here, as they have proven time and again that they don’t often falter at the group stage. They have enough talent in their squad to see off Ecuador, but don’t expect it to be easy. I like Mexico to take this game with a 2-1 win.