The Tricolor seeks to secure the group’s lead

To avoid boredom during Mexico’s long Copa America training camp, coach Jaime Lozano brought the players a regional Mexican music group, a clown and a taco truck. If Mexico manages to win another Copa America, it might be time to ask for some mariachis as well.

The Mexican team will face Venezuela today, in a match in which the winner will have one foot in the quarterfinals of the tournament.

Without reaching its most lucid form, Mexico managed a 1-0 victory over Jamaica in its debut. The Venezuelans came back to win 2-1 over Ecuador, capitalizing on playing almost the entire match with numerical superiority.

Both teams have three points to lead Group B. The team that wins would reach six points that could even serve to qualify if Ecuador and Jamaica draw in the other match in the group.

“The important thing is to keep growing because the next match could put us on the brink of qualification,” Lozano said yesterday at a press conference. “It will be a very difficult game because we both want to win to ensure a possible qualification.”

Lozano is in his third official tournament as head of the national team. The first was the Gold Cup, where he was crowned champion, taking advantage of the fact that the United States and Canada sent alternate teams. Then he lost the final of the Nations League against the United States’ starting team.

The coach demoted five players who had been regulars in the past — some identified as locker room leaders — and has been trying to create a cohesive group despite the absences.

“This is a very important tournament for us because it is the closest thing to a World Cup. We are looking to raise our level to transcend the cup, but the most important thing is to beat Venezuela,” said goalkeeper Julio González, who took over as a starter.

At the two-week rally in San Diego, Lozano authorized a concert by Grupo Frontera. He then allowed a performance by the clown Platanito and recently allowed a food truck to enter the rally that served barbacoa tacos.

“Venezuela has been growing a lot lately, they have many players playing abroad, but each match has to be played in the best way possible to try to win,” added Lozano. “For now, the strongest rival is Venezuela and then Ecuador.”

To beat the Venezuelans, the Mexicans will have to overcome the absence of their captain Edson Álvarez, who went out against Jamaica with an injury to his left leg.

There is still no diagnosis on the severity of the injury, but Lozano is pessimistic about the West Ham midfielder’s continued presence in the tournament.

“It is a significant loss, if confirmed. It was his first tournament as captain of this team and it would be a big blow,” said the Mexican coach. “I don’t know if the decision will be ours or his. His club will have a lot of weight, so it will be decided between the three parties.”

To beat Venezuela, Mexico will need to have more moments of clarity. La Vinotinto has surprised in the World Cup qualifiers and is in fourth place after six games.

Under Argentine coach Fernando Batista, the Venezuelans have only lost to Italy and Colombia in their last 14 games.

“I hope that everything we have analyzed about Mexico is useful, I hope they don’t come up with something we haven’t seen,” said Batista. “We have to be prepared, Mexico is a great team, but we are prepared for whoever comes.”

The Mexican team has a streak of 13 games without losing against the Venezuelans and has won 10 games and drawn three.

“We are going to face two teams that are currently playing well. We are going to face two teams that are trying to play and want to make a difference,” added the Vinotinto coach, who has Argentine Ricardo Valiño, former coach of Venados FC, as his assistant.