Copa America Kicks Off with Argentina's Victory; Mexico and Jamaica to Clash in Houston
HOUSTON — Copa America is officially underway, with Lionel Messi and Argentina starting the tournament with a 2-0 win over Canada. Now, Group B joins the action as Mexico and Jamaica are set to square off at NRG Stadium in Houston on Saturday. This marks the 29th meeting between the Concacaf rivals, with El Tri leading the all-time series with 20 wins, five draws, and three losses. The two sides last met during the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup, where Mexico triumphed 3-0.
Viewing Information:
- Date: Saturday, June 22
- Time: 9 p.m.
- Place: NRG Stadium, Houston, TX
- TV: Fox Sports 1, TUDN, Univision
- Stream: Fox Sports
Storylines:
Mexico: Head coach Jimmy Lozano is leaning into the next generation of players for El Tri during Copa America. Veteran stars Memo Ochoa, Raul Jimenez, and Chucky Lozano were purposefully omitted from the roster. Lozano has been vocal about using the tournament as crucial preparation ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Mexico is considered a favorite in Group B, though the competition is strong and any team could emerge as a front-runner.
It is likely that 26-year-old Edson Alvarez, Mexico's most-capped player in this tournament, will help anchor the midfield. The West Ham player aims to create opportunities for 23-year-old Feyenoord forward Santiago Giménez on the attacking line.
Jamaica: The Reggae Boyz are managing extensive off-field issues with their federation as they return for their third attempt at Copa America. This is the first time in eight years they will face squads outside of Concacaf. Some rostered players are dealing with injuries, and Leon Blake has openly stated he will not play for the national team until issues with the federation are resolved.
Despite these challenges, manager Heimir Hallgrimsson has implemented a style of play that emphasizes defensive organization and quick counterattacks. If healthy, Philadelphia Union's Andre Blake will handle duties in goal, with defender Damion Lowe and midfielders Kasey Palmer and Bobby Decordova-Reid maintaining Jamaica's structure.
Group B Table and Schedule:
| PLACE | TEAM | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mexico | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Ecuador | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Venezuela | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | Jamaica | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
June 22:
- Ecuador vs. Venezuela, 6 p.m. on FS1
- Mexico vs. Jamaica, 9 p.m. on FS1
June 26:
- Ecuador vs. Jamaica, 6 p.m. on FS1
- Venezuela vs. Mexico, 9 p.m. on FS1
June 30:
- Mexico vs. Ecuador, 8 p.m. on FS1
- Jamaica vs. Venezuela, 8 p.m. on FOX
Stay tuned for more updates as the tournament progresses.
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