Rafa Marquez debuts as Mexico manager vs. Colombia — SkimNews
Get the Sports newsletter
Daily sports — scores, transfers, the storylines from the leagues you actually follow. Free.
- Rafa Marquez makes his Mexico managerial debut Saturday at 9 p.m. ET at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore against Colombia, with Mexico listed at +154 on the moneyline (draw +240, Colombia +155).
- Javier Aguirre exited after leading Mexico to the World Cup round of 16 — where they lost to England — and has moved to Valencia to fight a La Liga relegation battle.
- Hirving Lozano and German Berterame are back in the squad despite their MLS struggles, as Marquez opens the door to all comers during a three-week camp.
- Gilberto Mora, 17, anchors the youth wave after posting 5 goals and 1 assist in 7 matches for Club Tijuana since the World Cup, with Armando Gonzalez also pushing to break through.
- Armando Gonzalez, now at Olympiacos, has been labeled Mexico's most talented striker since Chicharito but has just 1 international goal, leaving 35-year-old Raul Jimenez as the entrenched starter.
- Santiago Gimenez continues settling in at Porto as Marquez works to sort the forward pecking order ahead of the next competitive window.
Why it matters: Mexico enters the Marquez era as reigning Gold Cup and Concacaf Nations League champion — a foundation Aguirre built before departing for Valencia. The immediate subplot is the forward hierarchy: a 35-year-old incumbent (Jimenez), a hyped but unproven striker (Gonzalez, one international goal), and a 17-year-old rising star (Mora with five goals since the World Cup). Whoever Marquez entrusts with the lead role shapes Mexico's ceiling through the next competitive cycle.
Ask SkimNews
