Mexico vs. Portugal: Preview
Seven more days. That's all that's left before Mexico's first World Cup match in Brazil against Cameroon (June 13). Their opponents for Friday night's friendly, Portugal, will play their first game of the Group Stage three days later against Germany (June 16).
With Cristiano Ronaldo scrambling to get healthy in time, and Mexico's starting XI in a state of flux after being dominated by Bosnia-Herzegovina on Tuesday, Mexico and Portugal's meeting in Foxborough has taken on an increasing amount of importance from when it was first scheduled as a final tune up before the World Cup.
The Details
Teams: Mexico vs. Portugal.
Time: 8:30 PM EST.
Venue: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, USA.
Television: ESPN 2.
Injury Update
Mexico: Both Jesus Corona (back and neck) and Rafa Marquez (foot) are healthy, and expected to start.
Portugal: Cristiano Ronaldo (left thigh), Pepe (left leg) and Raul Meireles (right thigh) will all sit out.
Historic Head-to-Head
It's odd that Mexico and Portugal, nations with such storied football histories, have only met one time before — in the 2006 World Cup. Portugal came out on top of that encounter 2-1 in what was cited at the time as one of the best matches of the tournament.
3 Things To Watch
How Many In The Back Line?
Mexico is expected to go with five at the back once again, but the team seemed to have more success against an attack-minded side in Bosnia-Herzegovina with two holding midfielders. Manager Miguel Herrera was quick to change things up in the second half of Tuesday's friendly, switching from a 5-3-2 to a 4-4-2 with a diamond midfield, then moving on to a 4-2-2-2. Using dual defensive midfielders was the only strategy that had any success at holding the Bosnian attack back.
Corona Is Back
Can Jesus Corona steal the starting job in net for Mexico? After uninspired performances from Alfredo Talavera and Guillermo Ochoa, the door is wide open for Corona to return from the odd injury he suffered against Israel (in what was basically a Blanco testimonial match), and claim his place in Mexico's starting XI for the World Cup.
More Questions Up Front
Secure spots in the starting lineup for Mexico are few and far between, and nowhere is that more obvious than up front. Chicarito, Oribe Peralta, Raul Jimenez and Giovani dos Santos are all legitimate options, along with Alan Pulido (who hasn't had the same opportunity as the others to prove himself). However, none of the five forwards have been convincing in the friendlies leading up to the World Cup. It's expected that Peralta (the most likely to start against Cameroon in a week's time) and dos Santos will get the final chance to shine in attack, but if either have a rough outing, Chicharito might just swoop in, and be named to the starting XI.