ARLINGTON, Texas –The colors were the same. The same green, white and red flags waved in the stands and in the parking lots of Cowboys Stadium on Sunday night.

Even the chants that echoed off the new stadium walls were the same. Mexico had its usual backing from its fans. But what was on the field in the second match of a doubleheader on the first day of the Gold Cup was what is supposed to be Mexico's future.

They are supposed to be the generation that brings prestige for Mexico and puts the team amid the world elite soccer countries under the helm of new coach José Manuel de la Torre.

And Mexico took a step toward that goal with a 5-0 win against El Salvador in the night cap of a Group A doubleheader in front of 80,108 deafening fans.

Those fans, mostly dressed in Mexico's colors, left after witnessing Costa Rica rout Cuba 5-0 in the first match of the day and after seeing what could be the Mexico so many have anticipated.

Javier "Chicharito" Hernández scored three times while Efraín Juárez and Jesus Aldo De Nigris also added scores in the second half.

The explosive attack that Mexico had been lacking in recent years erupted against El Salvador. But it took 55 minutes to arrive after missed opportunities and defensive miscues in the first half.

Mexico blew open the scoring after playing to a dull first half in which El Salvador was able to contain El Tri and create its own scoring opportunities.

"Our rival stood firm and the situation became a bit difficult," de la Torre said.

"The situation changed after we scored the first goal. That opened up a few things we could do."

Juárez opened the scoring in the 55th minute with a bit of luck. He sent his own a shot via header into the net. But it wasn't after El Salvador goalkeeper Miguel Montes blocked Juarez' initial shot. The ball ricocheted back to his head as he fell to the ground, pushing it in.

De Nigris made it 2-0 58 minutes into the match when he filtered a ball between the legs of El Salvador defender Luis Anaya and past Montes. De Nigris had not been in the game for more than three minutes before his score. He subbed in for Israel Castro.

Hernández scored in the 60th and 67th minute. His first came on a header off a volleyed pass by Andrés Guardado. His second came off a Guardado long floating pass. "Chicharito" raced past defenders and tapped the ball into the net off the inside of the left post.

He completed his hat-trick after converting a penalty kick with a chip past Montes.

The Manchester United striker played down his performance. He was quick to credit his teammates for making his hat-trick possible.

"The more important thing is the three points," Chicharito said in English when asked about his scoring by a reporter from the United Kingdom. "I don't care if I score or not but the important thing is getting the win. If I score then I score."

The barrage of scoring sent Mexico fans into a frenzy.

But Mexico didn't play the part in the first half.

El Tri had some trouble, at times, keeping possession of the ball in the first half. El Salvador was able to create enough spaces to develop an attack into Mexico's territory. El Salvador had a clear shot at goal in the sixth minute. That's when midfielder Eliseo Quintanilla sent a blast that appeared to be heading into the goal only to have Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa make the save.

Mexico had its share of chances in the first half. Perhaps it best opportunity came in the 38th minute when Guardado couldn't tap in a right-footed shot from about 10-yards out with only the goalkeeper to beat. Guardado sent the ball flying over the crossbars and deep into the stands.

Pablo Barrera also took an open shot but his blast sailed wide of the right post and also into the stands in the 16th minute.

Mexico's missed opportunities kept El Salvador in the game.

El Salvador came into the Gold Cup knowing it was as enormous underdogs. They also knew this was their opportunity to earn some respect in the soccer world. An upset would be a tremendous step for not only El Salvadorian soccer but for Central America in general. After all, the Gold Cup is practically El Salvador's version of the World Cup.

Ruben Israel took this match seriously enough that he spent countless hours studying film of various Mexico matches since he became coach in April. He even watched tape of Chicharito playing with his club, Manchester United of the English Premiership.

Israel also made sure his players didn't become overwhelmed by the stardom of some of Mexico's players.

He didn't have an answer for Mexico's attack in the second half.

"It is very difficult to try and resolve things when three goals are scored in five minutes," Israel said. "It's difficult to find answers in five minutes when you keep a close game for 53 minutes of the game."

El Salvador, which had only played Mexico once in the Gold cup, was able to contain Mexico for a good percentage of the match. That was until de la Torres' squad began to push up field in the second half resulting in goals.

Mexico transformed into an offensive juggernaut in a span of 12 minutes against El Salvador.

The win was the Mexican fans came to see. And it is what de la Torre signed up for when he replaced Javier Aguirre as coach in October.

The start of a new movement for El Tri has begun. So far, so good for a nation that is considered by some to be the top squad in CONCACAF. It is the defending Gold Cup champion.

Ivan.orozco@sandiegored.com