HAMILTON, BERMUDA- Bermuda looks to build on its positive momentum in League A and spoil Mexico’s Concacaf Nations League debut when the teams meet in Group B action at the Bermuda National Sports Centre just outside Hamilton, Bermuda.
After falling to Panama 4-1 in its first home game, Bermuda went on the road and topped Panama 2-0 behind a pair of goals from forward Nahki Wells.
Mexico will need to shut Wells down, with two goals on seven shots, both highs for Bermuda and near the top for the competition. The job may fall to a player like Celta de Vigo center back Nestor Araujo or Tigres defender Carlos Salcedo.
Mexico manager Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino has indicated he’ll give some of his future stars a chance to shine in the CNL, but also has brought in that defensive pairing from the Gold Cup champion team, as well as stars who weren’t able to participate in the summer like Napoli winger Hirving Lozano and Atletico Madrid midfielder Hector Herrera.
Future stars like forward JJ Macias and midfielder Sebastian Cordova may also get opportunities.
Bermuda manager Kyle Lightbourne warned against taking the Gombey Warriors lightly and then backed those words with action with the win in Panama City.
Martino must make sure his players don’t fall into the same trap if the champion of the region is going to win its CNL debut in the first meeting between these teams in official competition since 1971.