Panama present tough final test for Lozano's Mexico
Mexico are aiming for a record-extending ninth CONCACAF Gold Cup title when they face Panama in Sunday's final at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles and a victory would be particularly sweet for interim coach Jaime Lozano.
Lozano, known to fans of El Tri as 'Jimmy', was handed the reins of the team for this tournament after Argentine Diego Cocca was fired following a disappointing Nations League campaign.
In the semifinal last month, Mexico lost 3-0 in Las Vegas to the United States after one of their worst performances against their rival in recent memory.
Although they went on to beat Panama in the third-place game, that win was not enough to convince Mexican Football Federation president Carlos Rodriguez, who sacked Cocca the following day.
THE FINAL. IS. SET. ??Panama will take on Mexico in the CONCACAF Gold Cup Final! ???????? pic.twitter.com/iQ6ZnM3Vxw— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 13, 2023
Lozano was put in charge as a stop-gap for the Gold Cup and given what was, on paper, a weaker team to work with. But the performances in the tournament have led many pundits to suggest he should be handed the job on a permanent basis.
"I came to win the Gold Cup and that’s the only thing on my mind,” Lozano said after his team's impressive 3-0 win over Jamaica in Wednesday’s semifinal – back in Vegas.
The 44-year-old former UNAM Pumas player has side-stepped questions over his future despite four wins in five games in the tournament.
"We are going step by step and now comes the most important game. We will do everything possible to bring the Cup back home," he said.
"I have enjoyed it a lot. I am truly very grateful for the opportunity, for what I have had to be with this national team and with these players”, added
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