EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Mexico might have struggled defensively in a 4-4 draw against Trinidad & Tobago in its group stage finale, but El Tri has done nothing but vigorously defend their head coach Miguel Herrera following a published report that suggested otherwise.
A story in Mexican sports daily Record claimed there was a players-only meeting to complain about Herrera and his tactics. Since that story came out, the players have gone out of their way to back "El Piojo" Herrera.
They did it on social media and it continued in a press conference Saturday night at MetLife Stadium ahead of Sunday’s CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinal against Costa Rica (7:30 pm ET, FOX Sports 1, Univision in USA and Sportsnet One in Canada).
“I’ve said at all times -- we’ve supported our coaching staff, not because we say it out loud or publicly, it’s not always like that,” goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa said. “We always support our coach. Our group is together, we’re always looking to get that same style of play that Miguel and the group tell us. We are very confident in our football and what we do.”
Herrera called the story “gossip” and that it “didn’t happen, it didn’t exist.”
“[The players] came out to defend the truth because they’re united to win the tournament,” Herrera said. “They’re working hard. They are doing things the proper way. The group is really strong, we’re solid.”
Herrera said he’ll march out the same lineup against the Ticos as he did against Trinidad with one very notable exception. Giovani Dos Santos, the newest LA Galaxy forward, is sidelined with an adductor injury suffered against Trinidad. Oribe Peralta will start in place of Dos Santos, who worked with a fitness coach on the side Saturday morning.
“Today he worked really good. I saw he was stronger and he didn’t have any pain,” Herrera said. “Hopefully tomorrow he’ll wake up better and he’ll be part of the team. If he has some doubt, if he’s not 100 percent, we’re going to have to wait until the next game.”
Even though Mexico won’t have their first-choice striking duo, Costa Rican defender Cristian Gamboa knows El Tri is still extremely dangerous.
“Yes, they don’t have Dos Santos and Chicharito, but they have Vela, Peralta. I think we still have to do our job,” Gamboa said. “In our last game against Canada, we were focused and the last game we were so much better in the defensive third. I think it’s important as a group we are focused. We know what we want. I think we’ll still be mentally prepared for the players who come in for Mexico.”
Costa Rica advanced out of Group B with three draws and hasn’t tasted victory since a 3-1 win over South Korea in a friendly last October 14. On Sunday, they will face Mexico at a packed MetLife Stadium full of El Tri supporters, a setting that their boss Paulo Wanchope believes will bring out the best in the team.
“It’s always emotional to play in a full stadium, regardless if it is home or away,” Wanchope said. “It’s a different element, an extra thing. I’m pretty sure each of the players are anxious to get to the game and enjoy that moment. No doubt these games are the ones every player in the world would love to be present and participate in.”
