Blake banking on experience vs Mexico

National goalkeeper Andre Blake is banking on his wealth of experience in big game situations as he hopes to lead his team to another Gold Cup final when they face Mexico at 9:36 p.m. Jamaica time at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

The Reggae Boyz are aiming for their third Gold Cup final in five editions against a Mexican team that is going through its own growing pains having changed coaches last month after their Concacaf Nations League exit.

It will be the second time this year that Jamaica will face Mexico, having gone to the Azteca in Mexico City in March and gotten a creditable 2-2 draw. Blake says that Mexico remain a difficult opponent, one that the team has to be ready for.

For me, every Mexican team is the same. They are always, very organised, and very tough to play against. We know that once we are playing Mexico it is always going to be a tough game and one that we have to make sure that we are up to the task," Blake said.

For Blake, who has been in the net for deep Gold Cup runs in the past, he is counting on his wealth of experience to be the guiding force for the team.

"Experience teaches wisdom. I have gathered a lot of experience over the years being in the Gold Cup and it helps me to be relaxed, be calm and to kind of know that I have been in that situation before and it helps you to pull through. For me in moments like this when you play in the semi-finals against a very good team, you have to be calm. The moment can sometimes get the better of you. But you have to try to be calm, relaxed and most importantly enjoy the game," Blake said.

Head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson said that he doesn't foresee much change in Mexico under interim coach Jaime Lozano. something that the Jamaican coach said they have to pay careful attention to.

"It's a few player changes but not many from the game at the Azteca, three or four maximum. So it's similar players, similar formation and I think more or less a similar style. Jaime (Lozano) is a little bit more direct than the coach before. Otherwise, it is the same players with the same qualities," Hallgrimsson said.

The Reggae Boyz will be without Javain Brown because of injury and Cory Burke because of yellow card accumulation.

Match officialsReferee: Mario Escobar (Guatemala); Assistant Referee: Luis Ventura (Guatemala); Assistant Referee: Humberto Panjoj (Guatemala); Fourth Official: Bryan Lopez (Guatemala).