June 27, 2007	Wednesday	Jamadi-us-Sani 11, 1428

PUERTO LA CRUZ (Venezuela), June 26: Mexico have arrived at the Copa America in crisis following yet another defeat to the United States and amid reports of splits in the dressing-room.

Mexico kick off their Copa America campaign against Brazil in Puerto Ordaz on Wednesday and the clash with the defending champions could not come at a worse possible moment for coach Hugo Sanchez.

The former Real Madrid striker spent the previous three years sniping at his predecessor Ricardo La Volpe and promising to turn Mexico into world beaters.

But those claims sounded very hollow in this month’s Gold Cup as Mexico needed extra-time to beat eight-man Costa Rica in the quarter-finals, then struggled to a 1-0 win over Caribbean islanders Guadeloupe in the semis.

To cap it all, they then lost yet again to the US in Sunday’s final in Chicago, leaving the US unbeaten in their last nine home games against the Mexicans.

Two Mexican newspapers took it as a personal failure for Sanchez, who repeatedly promised beforehand that Mexico’s team would reflect his own winning personality.

“Hugo fails at the Gold Cup” and “Hugo, you’re not approved,” said La Jornada and Record respectively.

Mexico were greeted by a torrential downpour as they arrived in Venezuela on Tuesday, missing European-based Carlos Salcido, Ricardo Osorio and Pavel Pardo. The trio all pulled out of the competition last week, claiming they were tired after a long season.—Reuters