Mexico kicks off its Gold Cup title defense on Saturday against debutants Dominican Republic in Los Angeles. After a rough patch including a group-stage exit from the 2022 World Cup, Mexico has shown signs of improvement under Javier Aguirre, who returns for his third stint as head coach. The squad has been trimmed, excluding several veterans, as they aim to establish dominance in CONCACAF once again. Meanwhile, the Dominican Republic, making their Gold Cup debut, faces a daunting challenge against a more experienced team.

By the Numbers
  • Mexico aims for its 10th Gold Cup title after securing its first Nations League earlier this year.
  • This is the Dominican Republic's first-ever Gold Cup appearance on their 15th attempt.
State of Play
  • Mexico's roster is revamped, leaving out notable veterans like Gerardo Arteaga and Uriel Antuna.
  • In their last outing, Mexico suffered a 4-2 loss to Switzerland, raising questions about their form.
  • The Dominican Republic recently collapsed against Guatemala, surrendering a 2-1 lead to lose 4-2 in World Cup qualifiers.
What's Next

Both teams will look to make a statement in the Gold Cup, but Mexico is expected to prevail. A crucial first match could set the tone for their tournament ambitions, while the Dominican Republic will aim to learn and improve from this experience.

Bottom Line

As Mexico seeks to reestablish itself as a powerhouse in the region, they must capitalize on opportunities against less experienced opponents like the Dominican Republic to maintain momentum in the Gold Cup.