Rafa Marquez knows what it feels like to be a young star with a country's expectations on your shoulders. So, too, does his assistant coach Andres Guardado.
But even with the Mexico coaching staff's former players preaching caution, sometimes you also have to give yourself over to the skill and emotion of a rising star.
Marquez is trying to practice what he preaches when it comes to 17-year-old Gilberto Mora, the Tijuana midfielder who already helped Mexico to the Gold Cup title in 2025 and was key for El Tri at the 2026 World Cup.
After Mora netted his first-ever international goal in Marquez's debut match, a 1-1 draw with Colombia, the teenager sat out of El Tri's 1-1 draw with Peru. So, too, did typical starters like center back Johan Vasquez
and midfielder Erik Lira. It seemed that he was being rested so he'd be at full force for the Saturday, Oct. 3 showdown against the rival United States.
Yet, reports emerged after that match that the reasons for Mora's rest might go beyond strategy. After struggling with a groin injury for much of the first half of the year, TUDN reported an ankle issue had emerged during a training session after the Peru match that had trainers working to make sure Mora would be fit for the second half of this extended international window.
Mora was spotted training normally during the build-up to the contest with the U.S., however, and may get the second look of his young national team career at his country's top rival.
Around Mora, another young star could be set to get the nod at an important position. With Raul Jimenez injured up top, the starting forward role will be between Armando "Hormiga" Gonzalez, who started against Colombia, German Berterame and Santi Gimenez.
Here's how Marquez may deploy his talented attackers and what the back line that will try to shut down the Americans could look like:
Mexico projected starting lineup vs. United States
Goalkeeper: Raul "Tala" Rangel
Defense: Jorge Sanchez, Israel Reyes, Johan Vasquez, Jesus Gallardo
Midfielders: Gilberto Mora, Erik Lira, Luis Chavez
Forwards: Roberto Alvarado, Armando "Hormiga" Gonzalez, Hirving Lozano
How to watch Mexico vs. USMNT
- When: Saturday, Oct. 3
- Where: State Farm Stadium (Glendale, Arizona)
- Time: 10 p.m. ET
- Channel/streaming: Peacock (WATCH HERE), TNT (Watch LIVE on Sling), Telemundo/Universo (Watch LIVE on Fubo)
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mexico starting lineup vs. USMNT: Will Gilberto Mora be good to go?
