Pablo Barrera shone as Mexico began their 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup campaign with a 5-0 defeat of El Salvador.
The Hammers winger was in lively mood throughout as El Tri ran riot in front of more than 80,000 fans at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Barrera went closest to a goal with a 16th-minute effort that grazed the woodwork before Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez scored a hat-trick to underline why Mexico are tipped to retain their title.
Such were Barrera's exertions, he was forced off with cramp on 83 minutes leaving his country down to ten men as they had made all their substitutions although he did reappear. The El Salvador defence had struggled to cope with his wing play throughout, as he routinely swapped flanks with fellow wide-man Andres Guardado.
Jonathan Spector's United States will start their campaign on Tuesday night in Detroit against Canada.