Mexico vs. Suriname predicted lineups, team news, score prediction: El Tri seek Gold Cup knockout place

With a nervy opening-round win over the Dominican Republic in the bank, defending Gold Cup champions Mexico can confirm their place in the knockout stage as they meet debutants Suriname in Dallas on Wednesday.

El Tri were given a scare by their first opponent of the competition over the weekend, as they edged past Los Quisqueyanos by a 3-2 score. They went up 2-0 and 3-1 early in the second half but played the last 22 minutes under pressure of conceding an equalizer.

Ultimately, though, the early three points set them up to mathematically confirm a place in the quarterfinals with a win here against Suriname, who are making their first-ever Gold Cup appearance.

The 137th-ranked nation nearly pulled off an upset of Costa Rica in their opener but were undone by a 103rd-minute penalty from Manfred Ugalde that condemned them to a 4-3 defeat. A defeat here plus a Costa Rica win over the Dominican Republic could see Suriname confirmed to a group-stage exit with still one match to go.

The Sporting News runs through the latest team news and injury updates for both sides.

Mexico vs. Suriname predicted lineups, team news

Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre made some ruthless decisions for this Gold Cup, leaving experienced veterans Gerardo Arteaga, Uriel Antuna, and Luis Romo off the roster, as well as Diego Lainez and Erick Sanchez.

There are a few decisions to make for Aguirre, mostly in midfield, where he could bring Marcel Ruiz back in after he impressed in the pre-tournament friendlies, while Alexis Vega could replace Orbelin Pineda on the wing as he did at halftime of their opener. Julian Quinones and Cesar Huerta could also be options if Aguirre wishes to rotate the attack.

Tigres defender Jesus Angulo was initially called in to the Mexico squad but had to withdraw due to injury. Ramon Juarez, Emilio Lara, Juanjo Purata, Jeremy Marquez, and Gilberto Sepulveda departed the squad after being called in for the pre-tournament friendlies only.

Mexico predicted lineup (4-4-2, right to left): Malagon (GK) — J. Sanchez, Montes, Reyes, Gallardo — Alvarado, E. Alvarez, Lira, Vega — Gimenez, Jimenez

Full Mexico squad

Goalkeepers: Luis Malagon, Guillermo Ochoa, Raul Rangel

Defenders: Julian Araujo, Mateo Chavez, Jesus Gallardo, Cesar Montes, Jesus Orozco, Jorge Sanchez, Israel Reyes, Johan Vazquez

Midfielders: Roberto Alvarado, Edson Alvarez, Efrain Alvarez, Luis Chavez, Erik Lira, Gilberto Mora, Orbelin Pineda, Carlos "Charly" Rodriguez, Marcel Ruiz

Forwards: Santiago Gimenez, Cesar Huerta, Raul Jimenez, Julian Quinones, Angel Sepulveda, Alexis Vega.

As a former Dutch colony, Suriname have access to a number of players who may have missed out on a place with the Netherlands national team and are looking for a route to international football.

Such is the case for first-choice goalkeeper Etienne Vaessen, who has been a starter in the Eredivisie for the last six seasons and finally made the switch to represent Suriname last year at 28 years old.

He is joined by the likes of Middlesbrough defender Anfernee Dijksteel, QPR midfielder Kenneth Paal, Immanuel Pherai of Hamburg, and Gyrano Kerk of Royal Antwerp as Dutch-born players who all play for European sides and have committed to Suriname in recent years.

Suriname predicted lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Vaessen (GK) — Dijksteel, van Gelderen, Pinas, Haps — Malone, Paal — Kerk, Jubitana, Margaret — Viljter

Full Suriname squad

Goalkeepers: Jonathan Fonkel, Warner Hahn, Ishan Kort, Etienne Vaessen

Defenders: Myenty Abena, Anfernee Dijksteel, Liam van Gelderen, Ridgeciano Haps, Yannick Leliendal, Dion Malone, Shaquille Pinas, Djevencio van der Kust

Midfielders: Renske Adipi, Jean-Paul Boetius, Denzel Jubitana, Dhoraso Klas, Justin Lonwijk, Kenneth Paal, Immanuel Pherai, Jayden Turfkruier

Forwards: Gyrano Kerk, Richonell Margaret, Jaden Montnor, Jamilhio Rigters, Shaquille Stein, Gleofilo Vlijter.

Mexico vs. Suriname score prediction

Suriname have yet to turn down their attacking aggression for anyone regardless of opposition pedigree, and after pushing Costa Rica to the brink in their opener, it could also trouble a Mexico side prone to mental lapses and defensive errors.

Still, El Tri's experience and talent should win out on the day, even if they are challenged well through the first 60 minutes. Suriname should manage to find the back of the net, but they may also find themselves out of the competition as well unless they can produce what would be an upset of monumental proportions.

Prediction: Mexico 3-1 Suriname

Mexico vs. Suriname live stream, TV channel

• TV channel: 
  • English: FS1
  • Spanish: TUDN, Univision
• Streaming: Fubo

This CONCACAF Gold Cup group stage match will be televised in the United States on FS1, with a Spanish-language broadcast on TUDN and Univision.

All of those channels are available to stream on Fubo, who offer a free trial with new users.