GUADALAJARA, Mexico – Uriel Antuna recorded a hat-trick to power Mexico to a 4-1 win over the Dominican Republic in the team’s Concacaf Olympic Qualifying Championship opener at Estadio Jalisco Thursday night.

El Tri grabbed the Group A lead over the USA, 1-0 victors over Costa Rica in the opener, by goal differential.

The Mexicans, who are defending Concacaf Under-23 champions, will meet Costa Rica Sunday night. They will tussle with the USA Wednesday night.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.