HOUSTON (AP) — Jaime Lozano said this week that the Gold Cup is a chance for Mexico to reinvent itself. The interim coach is well on his way to achieving that goal.
Luis Romo signed Sunday is a double And Mexico beat Honduras 4-0 on Lozano’s try bench.
Romo put Mexico ahead at 22 in the first minute, while Orbelin Pineda added a goal in the 51st and Luis Chavez scored in the 63rd.
As a result, Mexico topped Group B. Haiti previously beat Qatar 2-1 to pick up three points, but El Tri have the better goal difference.
The Mexicans face the Haitians next Thursday in Glendale, Arizona, while the Qataris take on Catrachos.
“I don’t know how the Cup will end, I don’t have the cherry to know that, but we want to go gradually, I don’t think after 2026 or July 16, I’m going gradually. “You have to focus your energies on Haiti and pick the best 11,” said Lozano.
“Jimmy” Lozano has taken over as interim coach for Argentina’s Diego Coca, who was fired last Monday after finishing third in the CONCACAF Nations League, where the Aztecs suffered a painful 3-0 loss against the United States.
“From the opening whistle, the team was committed to what we had to do and that’s what we were looking for the most,” added Lozano. “I want to thank the people who have engaged us in this challenge, it is a very important and concrete first step, but nothing more than that, it is a first step.”
Lozano, who led Mexico to a bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, used the six players who helped him in that feat and changed the tactical approach from the five formation used by Coca to a 4-3-3.
“It seems like magic that can change in three days, but the player knows us, has had a successful process with us, and it’s not just a process, it’s been successful,” Lozano added.
Lozano is the first Mexican coach to lead his country’s team since Miguel Herrera was fired after winning the Gold Cup in 2015. After that, Colombian Juan Carlos Osorio, Argentine Gerardo Martino and Coca were at the helm.
The Chiefs have said Lozano’s deal is for the Gold Cup only and they are looking for a new permanent coach.
“I don’t know if the next coach should be Mexican, but he needs to understand how we are, I’m in that position to understand them and always seek sympathy for their individual well-being. To be able to develop in the best way,” he added.
Mexico took the lead in the first minute when Romo grabbed a rebound outside the box and fired a left-footed shot that hit the left post.
El Tri increased their advantage with a corner kick in which Jesus Gallardo fell to Romo for another header in the six-yard box, leaving the Catracho goalkeeper with no chance.
When Pineda picked up a ball outside the box, eluded a couple of players and unleashed his right foot to hit the ball near the left post, Mexico’s players thwarted any attempt to react.
El Tri added a score when Chavez took a pass from Eric Sanchez into the area and fired a left-footed shot deep. to the left post to make it 4-0.
Trinidad starts as a leader
Alwani Jones and Ajani Fortune scored in the second half
Jones hit the back of the net in the 43rd, Fortune added in the 63rd and Jameel Ible scored in his own net in the 73rd to seal the victory.
The Trinidadians have three points and lead their group ahead of the United States and Jamaica, who have a point each, while St. Kitts and Nevis are bottom without scoring.
