Mexico coach downplays referee influence on late victor

If he is able to embrace the pressure of being Mexico’s top scorer and be more efficient in the final third, Vela has the potential to bring the Gold Cup back to El Tri. Just a few minutes earlier, Oribe Peralta was shown a yellow card after a shocking challenge.

But Mexico’s hot-and-cold scoring at the Gold Cup continued, following up a four-goal performance against Trinidad and Tobago by struggling with finishing against Costa Rica.

According to Costa Rica boss Paulo Wanchope, “I am hurt,”. Mexico slowed down its attacks by starting plays from the midfield, and Costa Rica looked for opportunities to score on long passes.

“We have to support our team”, said Varela, who moved to the United States 12 years ago. Two of the best teams in the competition will clash in the quarter finals tonight, and although Mexico will be favourites, Costa Rica certainly have the players to cause an upset if Mexico are not at their absolute best.

Costa Rica struggled to keep up with Mexico, which was denied by Alvarado after the shot-stopper pushed substitute Carlos Esquivel’s volley onto the crossbar and away for a corner in the 64th minute.

All four of Panama’s Gold Cup games have ended tied 1-1.

Luis Tejada scored in the 37th minute for Panama before Kenwyne Jones levelled it in the 54th for the Caribbean side.

The Mexicans dominated the proceedings throughout the game but couldn’t find the target till the last second of the second session with extra time, when they were awarded a spot-kick. Andres Guardado took the PK and scored in the 124th minute, sealing the fates of both Mexico and Costa Rica. That changed in the second 15 as Corona almost found Guardado for a victor right in front of the Costa Rican goal, but his shot trickled wide of the post. The miss came at a vital time in the match as El Tri tried to finish off the Ticos before the possibility of extra time crept into the match.

Herrera said he is taking a wait and see approach when it comes to dos Santos’ availability for Wednesday’s semifinal against Panama, which advanced 6-5 in a penalty kick shootout after playing Trinidad & Tobago to a 1-1 draw in the other quarterfinal Sunday.

Phillip gave Trinidad and Tobago a chance to win with another save in the seventh round, but Cyrus couldn’t convert.