Despite the suspension of their starter goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa and four other players just prior to their second Group A match against Cuba, Mexico has shown little strain during the CONCACAF Gold Cup. The national team, whittled down to 17 players for the last three games, enjoyed an unbroken winning streak, tearing through their opponents in Group A and securing an only-slightly less effortless win against Guatemala in the quarterfinals.
Five Mexican players were provisionally suspended just hours before their Group A match against Cuba on June 9. They had tested positive for clenbuterol, a drug developed to treat breathing disorders but also to increase mass in cows and chickens.
Now, with CONCACAF's permission, the team has added five reserve players to its roster including Paul Aguilar (defense), Hiram Mier (defense), Hector Reynosos (defense), Marco Fabian (midfield), and Luis Michel (goalkeeper).
Of the previous 10 Gold Cups, nine of them have been won by either the United States or Mexico. The semifinal match between the U.S. and Panama will take place at 6 p.m. tomorrow night. Mexico plays for a spot in the finals against Honduras at 9 p.m. The Gold Cup final game will take place on Saturday at the Rose Bowl.
