Mexico will start their CONCACAF Under-20 title defense when they face Antigua and Barbuda on Friday. On paper, this young El Tri side will face their easiest opponent, although in past tournaments they have sometimes failed to live up to expectations against weak Caribbean opponents, as a 3-0 win over Curaçao in 2013 showed.
Mexico coach Marco Antonio “Chima” Ruiz will have to work hard to continue the tradition of CONCACAF giants in the Under-20 category. Mexico has won the last three CONCACAF U-20 tournaments and is heavy favorites to do so again. While they will face a tough battle from the home team, Costa Rica, and rivals USA, Mexico has a team made up mostly of the players that earned fourth place in the last 2015 U-17 World Cup.