Mexico was on the receiving end of the biggest shock at the 2007 Gold Cup so far, when Honduras stole a deserved last-minute win from the Tricolores at Giants Stadium on Sunday. Hugo Sanchez’s men now travel to Houston needing a win against tricky Panama to ensure safe passage to the next round and the right to stay in Houston, and not have to travel for their quarterfinal.
That would be ideal, but the mathematics of Gold Cup Group C could prove to be a little more complicated than that, because Honduras looks more than capable of beating Cuba, especially when you consider that a first-half red card was partly to blame for the Catrachos’ opening loss to Panama last week. If Honduras wins and Mexico draws, Mexico would finish third, and a quarterfinal date with the U.S. looks likely, unless the Americans lose big tonight against El Salvador. A loss could put El Tri out of the tournament altogether.
At least, coach Sánchez says, “Whether we advance depends on us. It’s tough to beat Panama, but it’s all up to us.” Perhaps most interesting is that all four teams still have a chance to advance, which makes Wednesday’s action the highlight of the first round. The Mexicans will be without Chicago Fire striker Cuauhtemoc Blanco, who was ejected against Honduras on Sunday.