Mexico vs. Trinidad and Tobago
2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup
July 15 | 8:30 pm ET | Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, N.C.
Fox Sports 2, UDN, UniMas in the US; Sportsnet World in Canada
First place in Group C will be up for grabs on Wednesday, as surprise leaders Trinidad and Tobago take on second-place Mexico. Both teams enter the final group game of this Gold Cup undefeated, but under completely different circumstances.
Mexico is coming off a surprising scoreless draw with 10-man Guatemala, and is under pressure to bounce back with a much improved performance. El Tri had not failed to score in 32 previous Gold Cup matches, and will look to the likes of Oribe Peralta, Carlos Vela, and reported LA Galaxy target Giovani Dos Santos to help jumpstart the attack.
For Trinidad and Tobago, the match at Bank of America Stadium simply offers a chance to build on their great start to the tournament. The Soca Warriors have already punched a ticket to the quarterfinals after winning their first two games, and are playing for positioning in the group, needing a win or a draw to secure Group C's top spot. Trinidad and Tobago have impressed with five goals for and one against so far, but will face their toughest test to date in the tournament in Miguel Herrera's side.
BATEAU WATCH: Trinidad and Tobago have gotten good contributions from a number of players, including the San Jose Earthquakes' Cordell Cato and Joevin Jones of the Chicago Fire, but the one who has surprisingly led the way is center back Sheldon Bateau. The 24-year-old defender has scored in each of T&T's games thus far, and has also helped post a clean sheet. He will be tasked with stopping El Tri's crafty attackers, and could play a key part in determining whether his nation comes out on top to win the group or not.
Sheldon Bateau cleans up the rebound for a 1-0 Trinidad & Tobago lead. #GoldCup2015http://t.co/lM5aBUABCc
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 12, 2015FINISHING IMPROVEMENT: Mexico had their chances to put Guatemala away on Sunday, but an inability to be clinical in front of goal came back to haunt El Tri. Finding their finishing boots is a top priority for the Mexicans heading into this Group C finale, especially since Trinidad and Tobago enter the match with just one goal conceded thus far. Another rough night in the final third would likely not spell doom for Mexico, but could leave it with a tougher quarterfinals matchup than desired.
