The new young promise of Mexican football will start its road to the U-20 World Cup when they play Antigua and Barbuda at the Estadio Ricardo Saprissa in Costa Rica this Friday, February 17, 2017 (6:00 PM Pacific). The game will be the first of the 2017 CONCACAF U-20 Championship, which should be a tournament that Mexico take with ease.
The Mexico National Team has always dominated the CONCACAF region in all categories, U-20 being no different. ‘El Tri’ has taken the title 13 times and have finished runners-up on two occasions. Mexico will face a weak opponent in Antigua and Barbuda, which is a nation which has not produced many great footballing talents. Juan Carlos Ruiz will serve as the manager for this U-20 team, the 47-year-old was of course a long-time player in the Liga MX and has a wealth of experience to share with this team. Mexico do have one of the strongest sides in this U-20 Championship with most players coming from Liga MX sides.
There are also a couple of players who militate on Ascenso MX sides and one MLS player in Cristian Herrera of Real Salt Lake. Among the players there are two that do play regularly in the Liga MX in Edson Alvarez of Club America and Jorge Sanchez of Santos Laguna. Edson Alvarez has been great this whole season with America, looking impressive in the Apertura 2016. Now in the Clausura he has also shined, participating in four games, two as a starter and scoring a goal against Monarcas Morelia.
Jorge Sanchez has been an undeniable starter for Jose Manuel De La Torre with Santos Laguna. The 19-year-old has played 539 out of 540 possible minutes in this Clausura 2017 for the ‘guerreros’. Sanchez has also been among one of the hardest workers in the Liga MX coming in fourth in distance covered in the league with 66.09 kilometers covered. Santos will have another very interesting representative in this U-20 Championship in the Mexican Ronaldo. No, that is not a nickname, of course, 20-year-old Ronaldo Cisneros will form part of this team.
Cisneros is from Torreon and received his peculiar name because his dad, Mario, was a big fan of the former Brazilian striker, Ronaldo. The young forward has already found success in his short career having a goal-scoring title in the U-17 category and a U-20 Championship with Santos Laguna. The Mexican, Ronaldo will be one of the most intriguing players to look out for in this game and in the tournament. Mexico should take this game with ease and the game will serve as a good parameter to see at what level the young Mexican players are at, starting off this competition.
How to Watch Mexico vs Antigua and Barbuda
The Mexico vs Antigua and Barbuda match will be broadcast this Friday, February 17 at 6:00 PM Pacific:
TV Schedule: Univision Deportes
Watch Online: Sling TV (Watch 7 Days Free), Fubo TV (Watch 7 Days Free)
