New faces in the USA vs. Mexico match

Mexico City (FIBA Basketball World Cup Americas Qualifiers 2019) - The United States and Mexico will face each other in a transcendental duel in Group C of the FIBA Basketball World Cup America Qualifiers before China 2019.

This is the second time that the United States and Mexico will face each other in the Americas windows. This past November, the United States made a clean sweep in Greensboro with an easy victory, 91-55, thanks to an excellent distance aim, a command of rebounds and teamwork.

But this Thursday, in the Gimnasio Juan de la Barrera of the Mexican capital, both teams will be counting on new faces for these Qualifiers.

For the United States’ side, the group led by Jeff Van Gundy will have five players that will make their debut in the continental Qualifiers.

Alex Caruso, Kevin Jones, Nick Johnson, Trey McKinney Jones, and Marcus Thorton will wear the United States uniform for the first time. This quintet will join Taylor Braun, Reggie Hearn, Jonathan Holmes, Amile Jefferson, Xavier Munford, David Stockton, and Rashawn Thomas to comprise the United States team (4-0) that is seeking to stay undefeated in Group C.

“They’re together. This is a good group of committed athletes that I think are going to represent us well,” said Van Gundy, in statements picked up by USA Basketball. “That doesn’t mean that we’ll win, but they’ll represent us well and they’re going to work hard and compete for each other and for the country, and that’s all you can ask.”

 But this North American team will find a Mexico (2-2) that is stronger thanks to the inclusion of Jorge Gutiérrez, Lorenzo Mata, Jonathan Machado, and the return of Gustavo Ayón, whom will represent his country for the first time since the FIBA Americas Olympic Qualifying Tournament in 2015.

With a victory against the United States, or a Cuban defeat against Puerto Rico, Mexico will secure their ticket to the second part of the Windows. But the wins are fundamental for the team led by Iván Déniz since the results of the first round will carry on to the next phase.

Even though they must play against their biggest rival on the FIBA world stage, Déniz hopes that the fans go to the games to support the local team.

“We now have a very strong obstacle and we will try to prepare really well, to have a plan, implement it, and evidently have a little bit of luck. If they (the United States) play well and on top of that are succesful, it would be very complicated,” said Déniz to the Mexican edition of Marca. “I want them to fell the pressure of Mexico City, of Juan Barrera, and that those four thousand people that will go to the games help us give another reason for happiness to the country,” added the Spanish coach, who will make his debut as the head of the Mexican National Team.

 On the last dates of the first round of the windows this next Sunday, the United States will visit Cuba and Mexico will go to Puerto Rico.

FIBA