Mexico and Bolivia begin their Copa America preparations with a tune-up on Friday night at Soldier Field.
The game in Chicago is the first of three friendly games for both nations in the build-up to the continental showpiece, and they aim to build momentum for the finals in the United States.
Match preview
Mexico are back in action for the first time since losing the CONCACAF Nations League final against the USMNT, keen to return to winning ways.
That 2-0 loss to Gregg Berhalter's men continued El Tri's mixed results since the backend of 2023, with Jaime Lozano's men claiming three victories in their final seven matches of the previous year.
With friendly games against Uruguay and Brazil, Friday night could be Mexico's best chance to record a positive result before their tournament opener on June 23.
The Mexicans' recent results in non-competitive games do not bode well for a positive outcome at Soldier Field, with El Tricolor claiming two victories in their last eight.
Only two clean sheets have been kept in that period, notably in both 2-0 wins against Guatemala and Ghana, indicating what Lozano's men must fix to secure this week's win.
Bolivia are not expected to be accepting opponents, keen to build on a 1-0 win in their last friendly success over Andorra in March.
La Verde's previous results were underwhelming, with seven losses in eight games underlining the team's struggles under Antonio Carlos Zago.
While Zago has only been in situ for four games, the 55-year-old will point to the team's improvement under him to produce wins over Peru (2-0) and Andorra (1-0).
Both triumphs have seen the Green claim clean sheets, and it remains to be seen if keeping Mexico out on Friday night is a possibility, with El Tri last failing to score in a friendly in September 2022 — a 1-0 loss to Paraguay.
Whatever the outcome at Soldier Field, Bolivia are seemingly on an encouraging trajectory under Zag, and they will hope for another positive showing to build some momentum before their Copa America opener against hosts USMNT on June 23.
Team News
West Ham United's Edson Alvarez is El Tri's top player and could start in midfield unless Lozano gives the Mexico captain a rest.
Santiago Gimenez, who netted 23 Eredivisie goals for Feyenoord in the concluded season, is their leading penalty box threat, while Alexis Vega, Uriel Antuna, Julian Quinones, Marcelo Flores and Cesar Huerta could cause Bolivia issues from wide positions.
Hirving Lozano's absence from the 31-player group was striking, with the Mexico manager also omitting Raul Jimenez and Guillermo Ochoa from his provisional squad.
Ramiro Vaca, scorer in the 1-0 success over Andorra is part of the group, and the Bolivar man should play from the off.
Henry Vaca was Bolivia's other goalscorer — along with Ramiro — in the 2-0 win over Peru in November 2023, but the midfield man is absent from the preliminary group for this summer's Copa America.
Mexico possible starting lineup:
Malagon; Sanchez, Montes, Vasquez, Arteaga; Chavez, Alvarez, Sanchez; Anatuna, Gimenez, Vega
Bolivia possible starting lineup:
Lampe; Quinteros, Alvarez, Sagredo; Saavedra, Cespedes, Justiniano, Duran; Vaca, Algarnaz, Sotomayor
We say: Mexico 2-0 Bolivia
Both teams have not pulled up trees in non-competitive games in the last 18 to 24 months, but Mexico's superior firepower should see Lozano's El Tri side claim a routine win over this young Bolivia who have typically flourished under Zago.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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