Mexico Copa America 2024 squad: Who Jaime Lozano will take to the United States

Luis Malagon looked set to start for El Tri this summer, with the Club America shot-stopper the heir apparent to longtime No.1 Guillermo Ochoa. However, an injury sustained by the presumptive first choice before camp leaves El Tri with few options.

Jose Rangel and Carlos Acevedo will compete for the top spot, and have just 10 combined caps between them. It's a new era of goalkeeping for the country.

Mexico's defense is loaded with experience, including plenty of World Cup veterans. Players like Cesar Montes and Jorge Sanchez remain around the squad, having been regulars in the lead-up to and during the 2022 tournament in Qatar.

Johan Vasquez looks like a likely starter at centerback while Monterrey's Gerardo Arteaga is in the mix, too, as he pushes Gallardo for that left-back spot.

The Mexico midfield is, largely, set in stone. Edson Alvarez starts, for sure, as he remains one of the region's best players. Luis Chavez, too, is essentially a locked-in starter. Erick Sanchez, right now, seems to have the inside track on that third spot, although that could change.

There's plenty of experience here, too, with players very much in their prime. Orbelin Pinedo, Carlos Rodriguez, Luis Romo and Roberto Alvarado are all right in that age 25-28 sweet spot, and should be up for the moment in this tournament.

If Mexico are to enjoy a deep run this summer, it'll come down to Santi Gimenez continuing his ascendency into superstardom. The striker is the closest thing El Tri have to a breakout star thanks to his rise at Feyenoord.

Out wide, Mexico have Julian Quinones and Uriel Antuna to call upon. Quinones recently joined up with El Tri, having made his debut in the fall after becoming a naturalized Mexican citizen.

Lozano has primarily rolled with a 4-3-3 during his tenure. There's flexibility there with some of the pieces he has in the team, but by and large, it's most likely that he sticks with that formation going forward.

Several stars are undroppable (Gimenez, Alvarez), while others (Chavez, Montes, Vazquez) are pretty close to that status. Most of the starting XI does pick itself, although there are battles at the fullback position and for that third midfield spot.

Mexico XI (4-3-3): Malagon; J.Sanchez , Montes, Vazquez, Arteaga; Alvarez, E.Sanchez, Chavez; Antuna, Gimenez, Quinones.

Lozano shocked a number of Mexico fans with the announcement of his preliminary squad when he left out six veteran stars who many expected to not just be on the Copa America roster, but play key roles this summer.

Among them were long-time goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, Fulham striker Raul Jimenez and PSV forward Hirving Lozano. Presumptive starting goalkeeper Luis Malagon is also out with a muscle injury.