CHICAGO -- Oribe Peralta will accompany Carlos Vela in Mexico's attack in their Gold Cup Group C opener on Thursday against Cuba, coach Miguel Herrera confirmed in a press conference Wednesday.
Peralta edged out Villarreal striker Giovani Dos Santos for the position, which would likely have been taken up by Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez, who was injured in Mexico's final warm-up friendly for the tournament.
The Mexico coach confirmed his team will play what appears to be a 4-4-2 formation. Guillermo Ochoa starts in goal, Paul Aguilar at right-back, Miguel Layun at left-back, and Francisco "Maza" Rodriguez and Diego Reyes as center-backs.
In midfield, Jonathan Dos Santos is set to accompany Jose Juan "Gallito" Vazquez in the center, with Porto's Hector Herrera likely on the right and Andres Guardado on the left.
There had been some doubts over whether or not Herrera would line-up with the 5-3-2 formation he has used for the vast majority of his time as Mexico coach, but he opted to change it up.
Mexico XI to face Cuba (442): Ochoa, Rodriguez, Reyes, Aguilar, Layun, Vazquez, J Dos Santos, Guardado Herrera, Peralta, Vela.
- ESPN Tri (@ESPNFCtri) July 9, 2015
"If we play with four (defenders), I get asked, why four?" Herrera said. "If it is with five, I get asked, why five?"
El Tri's manager went on to again stress his team is obligated to win the Gold Cup.
"It would be a failure if we don't win (the cup)," Herrera said. "We know Costa Rica and the United States are strong, but we are here to win."
"Since I've been in the national team, the obligation has been to win the Gold Cup," added captain Andres Guardado. "(But) we respect all opponents."
If Mexico doesn't defeat Cuba by a big margin, as is expected, Herrera said he won't be concerned, adding the important thing is to get the three points.
The Cuban side is coming into the game with a number of problems. It will likely have a total of only 16 players and be without its coach Raul Gonzalez for the game against Mexico.
Forward Keilen Garcia ditched the squad Wednesday, assistant coach Walter Benitez confirmed in his press conference, while six players and Gonzalez have had difficulties obtaining the correct visas and are only set to travel to the United States on Thursday.
This isn't the first time players have defected the Cuban team during a Gold Cup tournament in the United States, with the highest profile case that of Osvaldo Alonso, who currently plays in MLS for Seattle Sounders.
Organizers confirmed Wednesday that close to 42,000 tickets have been sold for the game at Soldier Field, which will be preceded by the Group C opener between Trinidad & Tobago and Guatemala.