Mexico has Gold Cup title in sight with interim boss Lozano

LAS VEGAS — Typically even-tempered and picked up, Mexico interim supervisor Jaime “Jimmy” Lozano could not assist however smile far more after accumulating a 3-0 semifinal victory on Wednesday towards Jamaica that has guided his staff to the Gold Cup ultimate.

“If I rewind the tape to three weeks ago, I was unemployed,” stated the 44-year-old coach from Mexico City. “There was a person, who was up in that box [at the stadium], that trusted in me. That believed in me and believed in my process.”

Lozano was referring to Juan Carlos Rodriguez, the brand new commissioner of the Mexican Football Federation (FMF). Hired only a month earlier than Lozano in May, Rodriguez took an instantaneous threat in late June by firing former coach Diego Cocca after a disappointing 3-0 loss to the United States in the Concacaf Nations League semifinals.

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Even in a Mexican soccer world that has had no lack of speedy hirings and firings on the worldwide or membership stage, some questioned if it was a harmful gamble for Rodriguez to drop Cocca after which appoint Lozano as interim simply days earlier than the beginning of the summer time’s second regional match.

And but, just some weeks later, many followers and media at the moment are questioning if it will now be a much bigger threat for Rodriguez to not give Lozano the full-time gig, no matter what occurs Sunday in the match’s ultimate towards Panama.

“I arrived for a Gold Cup; that’s what’s in my mind,” stated Lozano in Wednesday’s post-game information convention, highlighting the preliminary agreed size of his keep with the nationwide staff.

But ought to or not it’s longer?

Building off the connection that he is beforehand had with a powerful core of the roster — Lozano was the previous coach of Mexico’s Olympic staff that completed with a bronze medal in the 2020 video games — the supervisor has efficiently taken his attack-minded and counter-pressing blueprints to El Tri on the Gold Cup.

That’s led to a horny fashion of soccer that has made Mexico look extra proactive and dynamic in years. Even with occasional disconnects and questions relating to ending, which is smart when the supervisor simply arrived in late June, El Tri have secured 4 wins in their final 5 video games, permitting simply two targets alongside the best way.

It was on the identical stadium the place Mexico had been humiliated by the USMNT in that Nations League conflict final month, however Thursday’s win over the Reggae Boyz was an exclamation level in Lozano’s fast progress with the staff.

In the identical method that Lozano has swiftly made an affect this summer time, so did Mexico with a aim in the second minute of the semifinal by Henry Martin. Mexico continued forcing errors from Jamaica, ultimately resulting in a mesmerizing free-kick golazo from Luis Chavez in the thirtieth minute. After that, it was simply in-game administration for Mexico as they allowed themselves to catch their breath in the second half, which later led to a late burst in vitality that offered substitute Roberto Alvarado with a ultimate aim in the 93rd minute.

Against a Jamaica facet that now has English Premier League gamers resembling Aston Villa’s Leon Bailey, Everton’s Demarai Gray and West Ham United’s Michail Antonio in their revamped roster, Mexico’s Lozano overwhelmed and quieted the gamers in an announcement outcome.

It additionally bolstered the concept the gamers are very content material with their new supervisor as properly.

“He’s done things in the best manner,” stated full-back Jorge Sanchez after the sport. “He’s a coach who is very capable, a coach that makes things real simple on the pitch. You already know what’s going to happen on the pitch. I think that gives you an essential box of tools. You enter the field a little more confident, a little more calm. For me, that’s the best thing about Jaime.”

Midfielder Carlos Rodriguez added to the reward.

“On the field you see the unity in this squad, this national team. The technical staff, the players, you see it day by day in the trainings,” stated the Cruz Azul participant.

“It’s not a decision that we take ourselves,” Rodriguez later said when requested if Lozano ought to now be the everlasting coach. “But I think you can see from the outside the confidence and belief that he gives us.”

Should Mexico defeat Panama on Sunday at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, to win the title, then Lozano may have proved his case for the job.

It will not be simple towards a Panama facet ousted the United States on penalties earlier Wednesday to achieve the ultimate. Los Canaleros beforehand made issues troublesome in a slim 1-0 loss to Mexico in June’s Nations League third-place match, and midfielder Adalberto Carrasquilla has emerged as one the area’s high gamers.

Mexico cannot begin celebrating simply but, however there’s additionally no denying the momentum that Lozano has created in a brief period of time earlier than the ultimate. In truth, he graciously responded to a reporter who stated he confirmed that he ought to be the everlasting coach.

“That’s your point of view and I value it and appreciate it, and if you were over there [in the FMF box] I would perhaps continue,” stated Lozano with fun. “But unfortunately or fortunately the person who makes that decision is someone else.”