EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Miguel Herrera still believes in this Mexico side and the players believe in him.
That was the message from Saturday's news conference ahead of Sunday's important Gold Cup quarterfinal clash in MetLife Stadium against World Cup 2014 quarterfinalists Costa Rica.
"El Piojo" has been under fire of late because of some poor results and public relations blunders off the field, with one report from Mexico on Friday suggesting there had been a players' meeting without Herrera to talk about ways to improve on a record of just two wins from 11 games in all competitions this summer.
"We've supported the coaching staff at every moment," said Guillermo Ochoa, who refused to talk about rumors of an impending move to Espanyol. "The group is committed, united and looking [to produce] what Miguel Herrera asks of us."
Herrera's focus is still squarely on making the Gold Cup final and giving the fans a showdown against El Tri's northern rival the United States, who defeated Cuba 6-0 in their quarterfinal on Saturday.
"I'm thinking about reaching Philadelphia and playing [the final] against the United States," he said. "We are [in the process of] correcting errors and need to eradicate them."
Herrera named his starting XI for the match, as he usually does on the evening before games and confirmed there is still an outside possibility that LA Galaxy forward Giovani dos Santos features off the bench, after injuring his left abductor muscle in the last game of the group stage against Trinidad and Tobago.
"Giovani will wake up feeling better tomorrow and he could he ready if we need him," said Herrera, who stressed the player would only feature if he was 100 percent.
Herrera confirmed that Ochoa will start in goal, with Diego Reyes, Francisco "Maza" Rodriguez and Yasser Corona as the center-backs.
Paul Aguilar is the right wing-back, Miguel Layun on the opposite flank, with Jonathan dos Santos in the holding midfield role. In front, Porto's Hector Herrera and captain Andres Guardado will play.
Up front, injured Giovani dos Santos' place will be taken by Oribe Peralta, who will accompany Real Sociedad's Carlos Vela.
Mexico goes into the game under some significant pressure, while Costa Rica hasn't won in its last nine games and drew all three of its Group B games 1-1.
"It will be an even game," said Costa Rica coach Paulo Wanchope. "We both like to play football and are both under pressure."