HOLLYWOOD, Calif. -- "This Copa America was built for Mexico," said Wilmar Valdez, president of the Uruguayan Football Association on Monday.
A day earlier, Uruguay were defeated 3-1 by a powerful Mexican national team in the opening match for both teams in the tournament, and the executive fired bitter comments against the Copa America organization, assuring that this tournament was meticulously built for El Tri to win the title and to get the unwavering support of their fans -- massive in the hosting United States -- in the cities chosen for their matches.
Valdez’s remarks came to Mexican players' attention, and although controversial, they were totally downplayed by the players themselves as they prefer to focus on their game and not worry about outside criticism.
"What we can do is to concentrate on our game," said Mexican forward Raúl Jiménez, who currently plays for Portuguese side Benfica.
The striker added that taking Valdez’s comment into account would only feed a controversy that, for them, would only be distracting.
"We have to prove them wrong, if they said that, we have to reflect on the field that we can be champions, and not because someone is fixing the games for us to be champions.”
Leading Group C after the categorical victory over the Charrúas, Mexico will face Jamaica on Thursday at the Rose Bowl (10 pm ET, FS1, Univision, UDN), where a ticket to the next round is in play. A win for El Tri would guarantee a spot in the quarterfinals.
Beyond that, Mexico remain focused on not only advancing but making history in the tournament, as the first non-South American champion.
"We have to show on the field that we can do this, we need to demonstrate that we can be champions," Jimenez said.
