Mexico start their defense of the U-17 CONCACAF Championship as they face El Salvador in Panama City, Panama. Mexico are playing in Group C, the toughest group in the tournament, with El Salvador, United States and Jamaica. With the second best team in the tournament in the same group, and only two spots available for the next round, it's a must-win game for Mexico.
Mexico is coming into the tournament as the defending champion and one of the top teams of the competition, if not the top team. But they are coming in without their best player, Diego Lainez, who chose to stay with Liga MX’s Club America.