As has been the case in the wake of adverse results in the recent years, Mexico, and specifically manager Gerardo "Tata" Martino, are feeling the heat again entering another difficult test against Ecuador on Sunday in Chicago.
The heavy 3-0 defeat to Uruguay on Thursday was one of Mexico's poorest performances and it came just five months out from the start of the 2022 World Cup, where El Tri will be competing in a tough group against Lionel Messi's Argentina, Robert Lewandowski's Poland and Saudi Arabia.
Facing questions and calls to resign does not make for an ideal work environment for Martino, who continues to deflect the criticism, stating that friendly results don't matter and only the World Cup does.
But No. 46-ranked Ecuador are also preparing for the big dance in Qatar. The South American side, which claimed the final direct berth in qualifying, was drawn into Group A against Qatar, the Netherlands and Senegal.
Ecuador is coming off a positive result in a friendly against Nigeria (1-0 on a goal by Villarreal's Pervis Estupinan), although they were far from sparkling in attack as they dealt with late squad arrivals and visa issues. Head coach Gustavo Alfaro says Ecuador was at just 30 percent of where they need to be come November.
After its third international friendly, Mexico will be looking ahead to two CONCACAF Nations League contests that count against Suriname (June 11) and Jamaica (June 14). Following Sunday's match, Ecuador head to Fort Lauderdale to face Cape Verde in their final tuneup of this window (June 11).
LIVE BLOG: Follow Mexico vs. Ecuador as it happens
Mexico vs Ecuador TV channel, live stream
- Date: Sunday, June 5
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- TV channel: Univision, TUDN
- Streaming: fuboTV, TUDN site & app
The match will be televised by Univision and TUDN live from Soldier Field in Chicago. Both channels are streamed on fuboTV.
A pro-Mexico crowd is expected in Chicago as is customary for El Tri's matches in the Windy City.
MORE: Watch Mexico vs. Ecuador live on fuboTV (get access now)
Mexico vs Ecuador lineups
Tata Martino changed the entire lineup from the Nigeria match (May 28) to the Uruguay loss (June 2) except for Cesar Montes, who started both matches. The Monterrey center back gets a breather with another set of wholesale changes.
The Mexico coach has a large squad at his disposal, and although versatile defender Julio Cesar "Cata" Dominguez is back after a bout with COVID-19, he is not in the squad given his absence from recent training sessions.
With the delicate moment his team is experiencing a mere months away from the World Cup, Martino opts for veterans Andres Guardado and Hector Herrera to anchor the midfield. The presence of steady center backs Hector Moreno and Nestor Araujo could also help the back line feel settled.
Mexico lineup (4-3-3, left to right): Guillermo Ochoa (GK) — Jesus Gallardo, Hector Moreno, Nestor Araujo, Jorge Sanchez — Andres Guardado, Hector Herrera, Fernando Beltran — Alexis Vega, Raul Jimenez, Tecatito Corona
Mexico subs (12): Alfredo Talavera (GK), Rodolfo Cota (GK), Johan Vasquez, Cesar Montes, Luis Chavez, Erick Aguirre, Luis Romo, Sebastian Cordova, Orbelin Pineda, Santi Gimenez, Uriel Antuna, Diego Lainez
Mexico players not in matchday squad (14): Carlos Acevedo (GK), Israel Reyes, Julian Araujo, Julio Cesar Dominguez, Jesus Angulo, Gerardo Arteaga, Kevin Alvarez, Erick Gutierrez, Edson Alvarez, Erik Lira, Rodolfo Pizarro, Roberto Alvarado, Marcelo Flores, Henry Martin
Ecuador manager Gustavo Alfaro promised that more than half the team would be switched up for Mexico, as he continues to experiment and allow other players to recover. And he was a man of his word, with right back Angelo Preciado picking up a knock against Nigeria.
Forward Jordy Caicedo and veteran midfielder Carlos Gruezo were late additions to the squad, and Gruezo gets the start at the heart of midfield.
Ecuador lineup (4-3-3, left to right): 22-Alexander Dominguez (GK) — 7-Pervis Estupinan, 3-Piero Hincapie, 4-Robert Arboleda, 14-Xavier Arreaga — 23-Moises Caicedo, 8-Carlos Gruezo, 5-Jose Cifuentes — 10-Romario Ibarra, 11-Michael Estrada, 19-Gonzalo Plata.
Ecuador subs (12): 1-Hernan Galindez (GK), 12-Moises Ramirez (GK), 2-Felix Torres, 6-Byron Castillo, 18-Diego Palacios, 20-Jhegson Mendez, 21-Alan Franco, 16-Jeremy Sarmiento, 15-Angel Mena, 13-Enner Valencia, 17-Jordy Caicedo, 9-Leonardo Campana.
Ecuador players not in matchday squad (5): Jackson Porozo, Angelo Preciado, Dixon Arroyo, Alexander Alvarado, Djorkaeff Reasco.
MORE: Complete match schedule, times & stadiums for 2022 World Cup
Mexico vs Ecuador best bets, pick & prediction
Odds via Sports Interaction (Canada only)
In the betting market, Mexico is the favorite to bounce back from a difficult loss against Uruguay, but Ecuador will present similar challenges: physical play, quick transitions, and dangerous set-pieces.
And Mexico will probably still have some of the same scoring issues in attack that were evident against Uruguay. The absence of the injured Hirving "Chucky" Lozano, who is often the inspiration up top, is noticeable for Mexico.
There shouldn't be much between these two sides, and Ecuador is dangerous enough that they could even pull off a narrow win against a Mexican side that will be under pressure to avoid another setback. Ecuador had the third-stingiest defense in South American qualifying (19 goals allowed in 18 matches).
The +0.25 Ecuador Asian handicap would be a winner in case of an Ecuador victory and a half win (and half push) in case of a draw.
- Pick: Ecuador +0.25 Asian Handicap (-118 on Sports Interaction)
- Prediction: Mexico 1, Ecuador 1
| Sports Interaction | |
|---|---|
| Mexico Win | +117 |
| Draw | +211 |
| Ecuador Win | +216 |
| Both teams to score Y / N | -132 / -119 |
| Over / Under 2.5 goals | +104 / -143 |
| Mexico -0.5 | +119 |
| Ecuador +0.5 | -159 |
