Game: Mexico vs Venezuela

Where: Sofi Stadium, Inglewood, Calif.

When: Wednesday, June 26, 2024

Time: 6:00 p.m. PST

TV: Fox Sports 1, TUDN, Univision

The Mexico national soccer team will play their second match in the 2024 Copa America this Wednesday, June 26, against Venezuela at Sofi Stadium in Inglewood, California.

Mexico began the group stage of the tournament with a 1-0 win against Jamaica in Houston, where a goal by Gerardo Arteaga was the decider.

It was a very frustrating game for Mexico, as Jamaican goalkeeper Jahmail Waite stopped nearly every shot that came his way. It was also a tough game for Mexico because team captain Edson Alvarez suffered a hamstring injury and will be out for the rest of the tournament.

Luis Romo replaced Alvarez in the game against Jamaica and played a fantastic game, but the 29-year-old midfielder has proven to be inconsistent throughout his international career. The front three made up of Uriel Antuna, Santiago Gimenez and Julian Quinones had a few good moments in the opening match, but there is a lot of room for improvement and more scoring opportunities.

Mexico’s backline was one of the standouts from the game against Jamaica, with Johan Vazquez and Cesar Montes being very solid, along with stellar performances by Gerardo Arteaga and Jorge Sanchez.

Venezuela began the Copa America with a massive 2-1 win against Ecuador, in a game where first-halflf red card for Ecuador captain Enner Valencia really impacted the match. Venezuela manager Fernando Batista made the perfect substitutions at halftime for that match, as Jhonder Cadiz and Eduard Bello ended up scoring both goals for “La Vinotinto‘.

Mexico goalkeeper Julio Gonzalez: “Venezuela grew greatly that is why I think they currently have direct qualification to the World Cup. They are great players, strong, they compete at an amazing level so we are ready for Venezuela”@EVT_News pic.twitter.com/VxlHYscAFQ

— Francisco Velasco (@FranciscoEfV) June 26, 2024

Mexico goalkeeper Julio Gonzalez talked about facing this Venezuela side. “Venezuela grew greatly that is why I think they currently have direct qualification to the World Cup. They are great players, strong, they compete at an amazing level, so we are ready for Venezuela”, Gonzalez said.

If Mexico or Venezuela win this match they will temporarily have the first place spot in Group B and will have secured a spot in the quarterfinals of the competition. Venezuela’s physical play is very strong and this has the potential to make this a very hard-fought match at Sofi Stadium.

A sold-out crowd is expected in Inglewood in what is expected to be an immense atmosphere for a match between two teams that are hungry for the three points.

Francisco Velasco

Francisco, 26, Chula Vista/Tijuana. I have been a Padres fan all my life, did most of the series previews and recaps in the Padres’ 2016 season for EVT. Now I focus more on the local soccer scene. Tijuana Xolos, San Diego Loyal, San Diego Wave.