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Mexico’s national team make their 2017 debut Wednesday night in Las Vegas, facing off against the time that had perhaps the best 2016 of any national team.
Iceland shocked the world at EURO 2016, defeating England to reach their first-ever quarterfinal. They aren’t changing their system after their first international success, and are committed to building from the bottom. Manager Heimir Hallgrímsson, who still works as a dentist when he goes home to Heimay, is bringing a young and inexperienced team to Vegas.
Mexico is also looking at young talent, preparing for the next round of World Cup qualifiers in March. One to look out for is Jurgen Damm, a German-born winger who plays for Tigres. Mexico manager Juan Carlos Osorio has praised Damm, but it might not be enough to bump established names like Carlos Vela. LA Galaxy star Giovani dos Santos, who was left off of Mexico’s Copa America roster, is back with the team for Wednesday’s friendly.
Here are the basics:
DATE: Wednesday, February 8, 2017
CHANNEL: Univision
KICKOFF TIME: 10:00 p.m. Eastern
LOCATION: Sam Boyd Stadium
LIVE STREAM: Click here for all the live stream information
LINEUP
Mexico: Talavera, Araujo, Marquez, Alanis, Gallardo, Molina, Pineda, Damm, Lozano, Pulido, Dos Santos
Iceland: Schram, Omarsson, Jonasson, Sigurdarson,Thrandarson, Vidarsson, Sigurdsson, Bodvarsson, Jonsson, Finnbogason, Larusson