Javier Hernandez and Mexico Have Cause for Optimism Ahead of Copa America

Who do you think will win the Copa America Centenario?

Argentina—beaten in the 2015 final—and Brazil will always pop up as the main options in your mind, even though they’ve only lifted the trophy just once between them in the last three editions.

Uruguay—winners in 2011—and holders Chile surely deserve serious consideration, too, particularly when you take into account the star quality they possess in attack.

But what if the 100th anniversary of the tournament saw a new champion crowned?

Step forward Mexico. Twice the bridesmaid but never the bride, there are genuine reasons for Juan Carlos Osorio’s squad to be optimistic ahead of their 10th appearance in the event.

Ahead of Saturday’s friendly with Paraguay, Bleacher Report examines some of Mexico’s major plus points ahead of the 2016 Copa in June.

The Case For the Defence

El Tri were a major disappointment in the 2015 Copa. Minus some of their star names, they failed to even get out of Group A.

After contrasting draws against Bolivia and Chile—the first game saw barely a threat of a goal, while they shared six with the eventual champions—they tumbled out with a 2-1 loss at the hands of Ecuador.

Since that early exit (they finished bottom of the table), Mexico have compiled a 17-game unbeaten run.

Former manager Miguel Herrera, who was sacked after winning the CONCACAF Gold Cup in July 2015, started the run before his exit. Interim boss Ricardo Ferretti kept the streak alive before Osorio took charge in October.

The Colombian has made a perfect start in the job. In five games, Mexico have scored 12 goals and conceded none.

Solid foundations in defence are the base for success at international level.

Yet the five successive clean sheets do come with some small print. While shutout wins are impressive, you have to take into consideration the standard of the opposition.

Osorio has so far faced El Salvador, Honduras, Senegal and Canada (twice). Hardly a murderers’ row of national teams.

The coach now has to make some tough decisions over team selection, starting with who plays in goal.

Guillermo Ochoa has not played for his country since their successful Gold Cup campaign, yet he finds himself part of the Copa squad.

Jose de Jesus Corona and Alfredo Talavera are the other options, but two out of the three are going to be disappointed.

Tom Marshall of ESPN FC said Osorio faces a tricky decision over the identity of his No. 1: “This time around, it seems as if Talavera has moved ahead of Corona in the pecking order, but it is anyone’s guess as to how Ochoa fits in. After waiting over 18 months at Malaga just to get a debut …

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