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Mexico national team goalkeeper Luis Malagón is set to miss the Copa América after suffering a muscle injury, sources told ESPN’s Mauricio Ymay.
Santos Laguna’s Carlos Acevedo is expected to replace the 27-year-old Club América goalkeeper who was the likely starter this summer for Mexico.
Malagón arrived at El Tri’s camp with muscle discomfort, and his status worsened as the national team continued its preparation during an ongoing stretch of three United States-based friendlies.
He underwent tests on Friday at a College Station, Texas, hospital, just ahead of Mexico’s friendly match against Brazil at Kyle Field on Saturday. The tests revealed a gluteus muscle injury that will sideline him for three to four weeks, sources said.
Against Brazil and possibly for the Copa América, the expectation is that Pumas goalkeeper Julio González will be given the start for Mexico. The 33-year-old player has previously earned just one cap at the international level.
Mexico is currently in a transition phase after goalkeeping icon Guillermo Ochoa was left out of a recent preliminary squad for the Copa América. In his place, Malagón (four caps), González (one cap), and Raul Rangel (debut earlier this week) were selected.
Other prominent veterans such as Fulham striker Raúl Jiménez and recently San Diego FC signed winger Hirving Lozano were also left out of Mexico’s latest call-up.
At the Copa América, which kicks off on June 20, Mexico has been placed into Group B with Ecuador, Venezuela and Jamaica.