LAFC suffered more disappointment without Carlos Vela in the team, as Minnesota United were able to get a 2-0 victory at the Banc of California stadium. This is the second consecutive game in which LAFC have been unable to win. This places a lot of pressure on the team ahead of the game with Orlando City considering that many of the first-team players will be unavailable due to international action. The breakthrough for Minnesota came after just 25 minutes when Mason Toye was able to score the opener and he was able to double the lead just four minutes later.

The absence of goals from LAFC was quite a surprise considering that this first time that the club has failed to score in a league match since the end of June, when they drew a blank against Colorado Rapids. Carlos Vela has been the crucial player for LAFC this season and he has scored 27 goals in just 26 appearances. However, he is in danger of missing out on Josef Martinez’ incredible MLS record. Martinez holds the record of 31 goals in a single season set last season. Vela still needs five goals to hit the tally and there are only five matches left in the campaign.

Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Nuno has said that Raul Jimenez has suffered a minor knock on his foot and he would be assessed ahead of the forthcoming round of fixtures. The Mexican returned to the fold for the Europa League second round qualifying game against Crusaders but he found himself substituted during the early stages of the second period.

Speaking to reporters, Nuno acknowledged that the injury may have resulted from an extended period away from the action. He added that the concern will be assessed with the Premier League season starting in just over a week’s time, he said: “He didn’t have too much time without (playing). We have to be careful to manage the right moments for him to get back in shape and get the full fitness we want. Let’s see (how he is), it was his foot, let’s see how it is.”

Mexico head coach Tata Martino has said that El Tri have plenty of room for improvement despite being the United States to the Gold Cup crown. El Tri won the final by virtue of a second-half goal from Jonathan dos Santos and that ensured that they secured their eighth continental title and the first under Martino.

Speaking after the game, Martino said that El Tri have not reached their full potential but are going on the right path, he told: “We still not there, we need more time together, more time working and training, but we're on the right path. Nothing would've changed that with the final result. A bad result wouldn't have changed that either."

Mexico head coach Gerardo Martino has said that the countries from the Americas should reunite, such that there is just one Copa America for the two continents. North America and South America have organised the Gold Cup and Copa America separately over the years, but 2016 was an exception whereby the continents combined to celebrate the centenary edition of the Copa America.

Speaking to reporters, Martino acknowledged that cannot change the current format of the competition but he would personally prefer the Copa America to be conducted with both North and South American teams, he said: "The Gold Cup has been played for a long time, I'm the new face at this Gold Cup. I'm not the person to change the format. The people that analyse the format these tournament should be played [in] are the specialists, I'm not. It seems to me that in time, one way or the other, we will get closer to a Copa America that is played between all the continent. When I say all the continent, I mean all the American continent."

Mexico international Carlos Vela has hinted that he may retire from international football after asking to be excluded from the preliminary squad for this summer’s Gold Cup. The 30-year-old was not included by new El Tri boss Gerardo Martino for the friendlies in March and he has now taken the step to omit himself from the Gold Cup citing personal reasons.

Speaking to reporters, Vela said that he has remained commitment to the national team for many years and that has not brought about a transformation in fortunes. The Mexican added that there is the chance for youngsters to make their presence and he would not be disappointed, should he fail to make the squad for the 2022 World Cup.

Mexico international Raul Jimenez is glad to have taken the Premier League chance with Wolverhampton Wanderers after waiting for nearly four years. The marksman has been a huge hit during his debut season with the club with 16 goals across all competitions, and this has recently witnessed the club pursue him on a permanent basis from Benfica ahead of the summer.

Speaking to The Star, Jimenez said that he had been waiting on the Premier League opportunity for an extended period and he is now prepared to fight for everything at the west Midlands outfit, he said: “This was my opportunity. This was the thing I was looking for, since four years ago. Now I have it I’m not going to let it go. I want it all and I think that makes me do the things I’m doing.

United States legend Landon Donovan believes Mexico are the favourites for the CONCACAF title amid USMNT’s recent failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. United States are currently the defending champions of the Gold Cup, but Donovan does not regard them as the kings of the competition with the recent downtrend in results.

Speaking to ESPN FC, Donovan said that the United States are not the best country in the region, considering the failure to reach the World Cup finals last year. He added that Mexico have the edge at the moment and it is up to the USMNT to prove doubters wrong at the forthcoming continent showpiece, he said: "At the moment the United States is not [the best country in the region] because we didn't qualify for the World Cup in Russia. At the moment it could be Mexico but we'll see in a few months who is the king of CONCACAF and hopefully the United States again are the kings of CONCACAF."

Mexico boss Gerardo Martino has said that he wanted to give opportunities to other players and this was partly the reason behind Carlos Vela’s exclusion for the forthcoming internationals against Chile and Paraguay. Speaking to reporters, he said: “Seeing a bit of the chat and seeing a bit of the necessities we have right now, my decision was not to select Carlos Vela.”

Meanwhile, when asked whether Vela could feature at the Gold Cup at the end of the season, Martino refused to give the assurances over the samesaying: “I can’t give you that answer right now. We’ll have to see what happens on the way and probably chat again with the players in the local market and also those playing in Europe because I’d like to share opinions about what they went through in this camp.”

Mexico head coach Gerardo Martino has said that he has no plans of using naturalised players at El Tri and he would rather focus on the talent available from the national pool. The veteran was recently handed the managerial duties with the North American nation following his MLS Cup success with Atlanta United.

Speaking to reporters, Martino highlighted that he has no intention of looking into naturalised players for the moment, given that would provide a wrong outlook on his selection process for the team, he said: "I have to consider the players I have available. If one of my starting points 30 days after becoming coach is naturalizing players, I'd be starting my job off on the wrong foot."

Mexico international Carlos Vela has said that he is content plying his trade for Los Angeles FC amid the recent speculation linking him with Spanish giants Barcelona. The experienced forward was recently associated with the Catalan giants, who were searching for a back-up option to Luis Suarez but ultimately they signed Kevin-Prince Boateng from Sassuolo instead.

When asked on the speculation, Vela highlighted that a deal never materialised between Barcelona and Los Angeles or else he could have found it hard to turn down advances from the reigning Spanish champions. The former Real Sociedad man added that he is content with his association with Los Angeles and he is hoping to guide the team to league glory in the forthcoming 2019 campaign.