Expectations will be high for Mexico's U23s when they defend their Olympic crown this summer in Rio de Janeiro, although things haven't been going smoothly of late.
The last international break brought a 2-1 loss to Japan, followed by a 4-0 defeat to Portugal. It wasn't exactly the boost of confidence for which coach Raul "Potro" Gutierrez and his squad were looking.
There isn't much doubt about the quality Mexico possesses but there are questions about the right balance for the final squad, even before the three permitted overage players are considered.
Some important players, such as 20-year-olds Hirving Lozano and Erick Gutierrez, are still some way below the U-23 age limit, while there seems to be difficulty balancing others, who have come through of late like Cesar Montes and Orbelin Pineda, with those that have been with the national team since the U-17 World Cup win in 2011, including Antonio Briseno, Carlos Fierro and Jorge Espericueta.
This depth chart is based on the belief that a 4-3-3 formation will be used, despite 4-4-2 having been popular in the past. The reason is that 4-3-3 brings more out of Mexico's best players in their most natural positions: Central midfield and on the wings. Also, it isn't exactly a foreign system for the majority of players.
Goalkeepers
1. Raul Gudino (Uniao da Madeira)
2. Jesse Gonzalez (FC Dallas)
3. Gibran Lajud (Club Tijuana)
One of the positions likely to be strengthened with an overage player, there isn't much to choose between the top three U23 goalkeepers.
The fact that Gudino is starting in Portugal's top division probably gives him the edge but Gonzalez made headlines last season in MLS. And then there is Lajud, who has shown talent when given an opportunity, even if he has struggled for minutes under Miguel Herrera at Tijuana.
Other options include Luis Cardenas (Monterrey) and Alejandro Palaez (Cruz Azul) but, given the breadth of available talent and the longer process of development usually required for the goalkeeping position, it wouldn't be too much of a surprise to see Alfredo Talavera (Toluca), Jesus Corona (Cruz Azul), Antonio Palacios (Pumas) or Jonathan Orozco (Monterrey) come into the Olympic equation.
Right-back
1. Erick Aguirre (Morelia)
2. Jose Abella (Santos Laguna)
3. Carlos Guzman (Club Tijuana)
Despite only being 19 -- and thus eligible for Tokyo 2020 -- Aguirre is likely still in pole position to start at right-back, although the consistent Abella is a very solid option and the ever-improving Guzman would offer more going forward.
Josecarlos Van Rankin (Pumas) will also be pushing for a place in the squad, while Jordan Silva (Toluca) and Raul Lopez (Chivas) could also slot in on the right.
Center-back (right)
1. Cesar Montes (Monterrey)
2. Jordan Silva (Toluca)
3. Antonio Briseno (Tigres)
Gutierrez caused a mini-storm when he implied that Montes has it easy at Monterrey because he plays alongside Argentina international Jose Maria Basanta but the 19-year-old's rise means he is expected to not just be in the Olympic squad, but also to start.
The other strong option is Silva, who has been a regular in the process. Briseno has suffered from not getting minutes for Tigres, while another name worth following as an outside shot is Cruz Azul's Juan Carlos Garcia.
Center-back (left)
1. Carlos Salcedo (Chivas)
2. Hedgardo Marin (Chivas)
3. Luis Lopez (Monterrey)
Salcedo isn't a natural left-footer but he has arguably played his best football on the left side of Guadalajara's defense alongside Jair Pereira. He's also back on form after a slight dip early in 2016 which means that, despite below-par performances in Portugal, it appears to be Salcedo and one other for the center-back spots in Rio.
In truth, the Olympic team suffers from the same problem as the full national team: A dearth of left-footed center-backs getting regular minutes. Still, a Salcedo-Montes partnership should contain sufficient quality to put up a solid defensive display.
Left-back
1. Osvaldo Rodriguez (Pachuca)
2. Kevin Gutierrez (Club Tijuana)
3. Gil Buron (Club America)
This is another position in which the coach will have a difficult job to pick the starter. Rodriguez has not been as widely heralded as some as Pachuca's other youngsters, but he has made a solid start to his Liga MX career.
Gutierrez has been getting regular minutes under Herrera at Xolos, which is something Buron hasn't been able to boast, although he does offer a lot charging forward. The versatile Abella could also slot into the position.
Holding midfielder
1. Erick Gutierrez (Pachuca)
2. Victor Guzman (Pachuca)
3. Michael Perez (Chivas)
The player picked in this position could well depend on the opposition. Gutierrez offers a better platform for starting attacks, while Pachuca teammate Guzman and Chivas' Perez are more savvy when it comes to defending.
Santos Laguna's Ulises Rivas and Tigres' Espericueta will also be in the mix, while there is also a decent chance the position will be filled by an overage player.
Central midfield (right)
1. Rodolfo Pizarro (Pachuca)
2. Orbelin Pineda (Chivas)
3. Armando Zamorano (Morelia)
Whether he deploys a central midfield duo or trio, the key for coach Gutierrez is balance. That means Erick Gutierrez is an automatic starter considering his form, but whether it is as a holding midfielder of further forward is changeable. Meanwhile, Pizarro is enjoying the best season of his career, as is Pineda.
The simple solution is that those three should be the starting trio, although Zamorano and Alonso Escoboza (Club Tijuana) will be under consideration on the right, as will Leonel Lopez (Leon) and Jaime Gomez (Queretaro).
Central midfield (left)
1. Orbelin Pineda (Chivas)
2. Erick Gutierrez (Pachuca)
3. Arturo Gonzalez (Atlas)
Gonzalez is a natural left-footer but his form over the last year at Atlas has been patchy and he'll need to finish the Clausura strongly to make sure he gets the Olympic call. Both Pineda and Gutierrez are adept on the left side of midfield.
Right wing
1. Jesus Corona (Porto)
2. Raul Lopez (Chivas)
3. Candido Ramirez (Monterrey)
Corona and Lozano are a distance ahead in the wing positions, though which flank each will occupy depends on the coach. Lopez has lost his place as Chivas' starting right-back but has featured more as a winger for the U23s and will be in the frame.
Behind them are Ramirez, Daniel Alvarez (Atlas), Carlos Fierro (Queretaro) and David Ramirez (Chivas).
Left wing
1. Hirving Lozano (Pachuca)
2. Carlos Cisneros (Chivas)
3. Eduardo Lopez (Chivas)
Cisneros has enjoyed a breakout season in Guadalajara and is improving every week, but is unlikely to unseat Corona or Lozano.
The really intriguing option could be Lopez, who mainly plays as a No. 10 and has the raw talent to turn games. Surely someone that talented will be in the conversation for the Olympics, even if it is coming off the bench.
Center-forward
1. Angel Zaldivar (Chivas)
2. Erick Torres (Houston Dynamo)
3. Marco Bueno (Leon)
There is a long list of talented Mexican strikers under the age of 23, but hardly any are in form, getting regular playing time and scoring goals. The nearest to fitting that bill is Chivas' Zaldivar.
The position should be locked down by Torres, but his lack of minutes in MLS has hampered his progress significantly.
One option would be to utilize Corona in a floating No. 9 role. He isn't completely unfamiliar with playing down the center and Mexico has better options on the wings than in the middle.
Other potentials are Fierro, Alejandro Diaz (America), Luis Lorona (Chiapas), Martin Zuniga (Dorados), Luis Madrigal (Queretaro), Omar Govea (Porto B) or even 18-year-old Ernesto Vega (Toluca).
In truth, though, the easiest route would be to call-up up a striker over the age of 23, like Mexico did with Oribe Peralta in 2012.
Where are the overage players needed?
Working through the depth chart it becomes clear that there is a wealth of options in some positions and not so much in others. And that's where the permissible overage players come in.
A mature, experienced goalkeeper would bring confidence and solidity to the back line, while left-back doesn't seem particularly well-covered and a holding midfielder could be useful.
The position most in need, however, is clearly upfront. Rumors persist about Javier Hernandez's involvement but it seems unlikely to happen, especially if Bayer Leverkusen is involved in the Champions League next season.
In the end, the three veterans that are picked go could decide whether Mexico follows up London gold with another medal in Brazil.