Mexican striker Carlos Vela, having been sidelined by injury in his first Gold Cup match against Nicaragua, expects to be match fit by Sunday and ready to take on quarterfinal rivals Haiti. "Every day I feel better with more confidence to get things done," Vela explained to reporters in Dallas. "I still have an annoyance (with the injury) but I am working really well so I expect to be able to train with the squad in a few days. That is my objective to be ready by the end of the week."
Early in Mexico's first Gold Cup match, Vela collapsed after a collision with a Nicaraguan player. Although initial fears were that Vela had fractured a bone, Vela's injury was less severe. Mexico coach Javier Aguirre said after Mexico's Gold Cup game against Guadeloupe that Vela could have played if the game were a final.