Mexico edges Dominican Republic in Gold Cup opener

Edson Alvarez registered a goal and a assist to help Mexico post a 3-2 victory over the Dominican Republic in CONCACAF Gold Cup Group A play on Saturday night in Inglewood, Calif.

Defending champion Mexico (1-0-0, 3 points) also got goals from Raul Jimenez and Cesar Montes.

Peter Gonzalez and Edison Azcona scored goals for the Dominican Republic (0-1-0, 0 points), which qualified for the Gold Cup for the first time.

Mexico struck in the 44th minute when Orbelin Pineda sent a cross to Alvarez, who sent a header into the net.

Mexico made it 2-0 in the second minute of the second half when Jimenez scored on a right-footed shot.

The Dominican Republic got on the board in the 51st minute when Gonzalez sent a left-footer into the net.

Two minutes later, Mexico countered on a corner kick taken by Alexis Vega. Alvarez headed the ball, and it glanced off Montes' head and went into the net.

The Dominican Republic tallied again when Azcona's right-footed shot caromed off a defender to cut its deficit to one.