Sunday, July 1, 2007

Another match

And another win for Mexico in Copa America. The team looked like it was going to have problems with losing most of its European based players and the fatigue factor and just the sluggish play it showed in the Gold Cup, but now Mexico is through to the quarterfinals.

Still, in trying to wrap my mind around this team at this stage of the tournament, I tried to bring up some questions to not only keep people grounded but remind them that there is still a long way to go before Mexico can hoist a trophy of any kind.

I'm interested to see what sort of feedback I get from this. Mexico is flying high right now so I'm sure I'll have questions asking me how I could possibly doubt this team.

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

L.B.,
You are perfectly sane. There is plenty to doubt about Mexico. They have won two consecutive games, and that is great. They have also been outplayed by their opponents in both games. In both games, their opponents lacked quality #10s and #9s that were could really threaten Mexico's goal.
Maybe this is what we should expect from the new Mexico. This is actually how U.S. games always used to be. Our opponent would dominate the game and the run of play, but often times our superior discipline, goalkeeping, and opportunistic finishing would earn us perhaps not-so-deserved victories. What's strange is that Mexico has always been the opposite. Mexico has always been a team that dominated possession and controlled the tempo of the game. Perhaps this new Mexico will prove to be more successful than the old version, but I think there is always something dubious about teams that rely on winning without dominating. Like in the Gold Cup, I think Mexico is still very ripe for getting exposed in Copa America, and, as of now, I could not see this team making the final like those teams of 2001 and before, who dominated the ball and controlled the tempo of the game...

Anonymous said...

Hey Luis, I didn't know where else to post this, but I was wondering if you could help me. Do you know where I could go online to see a picture of the USMNT starting line-up against Argentina, I saw a photographer take a group shot but I haven't been able to find it. I thought maybe you could point me in the right direction. Thanks

Anonymous said...

First, I want to make clear that I fully support both the US and Mexico.

This is the deal, Mexico is in pole position to at least reach the semifinals of this cup. They can win it with some luck. Why not.

Nery Castillo is perhaps the most electric player to put a Mexico jersey on since Blanco in his prime or Cabrito Arellano or Sanchez himself. His dribbling skills, speed, deft touch, and killer instinct make Mexico the best team I have seen so far beside Argentina. He is a game breaker or game changer, that much superior to everyone else that he elevates the team to another level.

The moral of the story is that if he can finish a bit better and if they can get some contributions/goals from some other players, they can hoist the cup.

The key is the defense and Marquez, the backline looks solid when he is there and his play has steadied the whole ship. Torrado has been a stud in flanking the D. If they can keep the scoreline down they can win it.

Solid play is better than spectacular play sometimes, just ask Bob Bradley, I think Hugo has learned on the job already dumping some of the prima donas and going for blue collar guys.

Joel Aceves said...

A trophy of any kind! Talk about not having any faith in the Tricolor.

This is a team that despite playing awful lost their first 'final' to a phantom penalty kick followed by a once in a lifetime goal!

And right now they are favorites to take the Copa America. I myself am hoping for a World Cup 06 rematch against the Argies, it also took them a once in a lifetime goal to beat el Tri!

During the Ecuador match I overheard Hugo yell "Vamos Campeones" as he rallied his troops from the sidelines, and his cry is not far from the truth.

Do you realize that this is the first time that the Mexican national team has a squad full of players that know what it is like to Win Championships outside of Mexico and the CONCACAF region.

The Pachuca Trio won the Copa Sudamericana, Marquez has won back to back Spanish league titles and a Champions league, and Nery has grown accustomed to winning the Greek league every year.

And that is leaving out Pardo, Osorio and Salcido, all recently crowned league champions in their respective teams.

Then we add to that the U-17 boys who already lifted a World Cup title. After seeing the first round of the U-20 Canada WC, I must say I like their chances.

All in all should a Copa Lowes cross the TriColor's path then they will have no problem hoisting it.

Aguante Mexico ~

L.B. said...

Part of what i wanted to get across was that we've seen Mexico do well in tournaments before only to watch them walk away earlier than most had expected. Mexico won its first two games in the 02 World Cup and everybody was ready to crown them champions and then what happened?

They reached the Gold Cup final but before that hadn't won a knockout-round match of any kind since the '03 Gold Cup.

Is this the tournament that changes it all? Maybe, but if it's not, the fans will all be up in arms at first but then everyone will be happy because the young saviors will be on their way.

L.B. said...

Sally,

I looked briefly this morning for the starting 11 picture with no luck. I'll keep looking for you.

You may want to look around here if you haven't done so already:

http://www.ole.clarin.com/diario/hoy/index.html

I couldn't really maneuver around in there too well but maybe you'll have better luck.

Joel Aceves said...

L.B,

I agree about Mexico crashing once the "favorite" tag is placed on them, but already we have seen improvement.

And odd statistic shows that Mexico had never won a match following a victory over Brazil!

This includes games in Confederations Cup's and Gold Cup's. Hence, the victory over Ecuador is a plus.

Also worth noting is that if Mexico meets Paraguay, in the quarterfinals, they wont go into the match as favorites being that the South Americans defeated el Tri at Azteca, and are set to defeat the U.S, strangely this will work in Mexico's favor!

Anonymous said...

joel aceves
have you ever watched the show futbol picante on espn deportes? it's 100% all about mexican futbol and el tri. even the 4 guys who make the show admitted that it was definitely a penalty, not one blinked. so get over the fact that they lost again please. your sounding like sanchez. for some reason or another mexico just can't beat landon and his boys but when they go to south america they turn into another team. i've been trying to figure out why that is. so i once believed it was because they underestimated the US and we found out that it is not the case. maybe this is an outrageous theory but can Mexico and US really actually be good teams that if they lived in CONMEBOL they would actually beat up on most teams except of course Argentina/Brasil when Brasil actually wants to play.

Joel Aceves said...

Mr. Anonymous,

Thanks to you Futbol Picante just lost a potential viewer.

Anonymous said...

Well you are of the minority who look at games objectively that it was not a penalty. You are as they say a man that people love to bet against because you think with the heart and not the brain. I love mexico with all my heart but to think they are a realistic top 5 team in the world is unrealistic.

Jess said...

L.B and A.C. you guys should start a discussion forum for the LA teams, USMNT and El Tri. I'm serious. And put up some ads because it looks like you're getting some good traffic now. The ads will help pay for the bandwith. Google might be calling you guys to take it easy on the traffic or pay up. Just my two cents.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous

I am familiar with Futbol Picante. I use to like ESPN Deportes prior to the arrival of David Faitelson, former TV Azteca reporter/commentator.

Any show that Faitelson takes part in just goes down in quality. He is vindictive, redundant, and misinformed on an array of issues. He comes from a school of sports jouranalism in Mexico that lacks integrity, honesty, and perspective. He tries extremely hard to emulate his teacher, Jose Ramon Fdz.

Anyhow, the fact that 4 guys on that particular show agree it was a penalty does not make it so. It does not make them into experts. They just have a job that lands them in in the booth (a cool job I might add). The point is that anybody with some some knowledge of the game and instant replay can determine the right call.

The rules state that s penalty is to be called on infractions that award direct kicks committed inside the penalty area. In this case, the infraction was apparently tripping or an attempt to trip. The replay clearly shows that the Mexican defender already had position. Ching was smart by making contact with the Mexican defender. For better or for worse, the ref is given the right to interpret.


------------------------------

L.B.

You are looking too much into this.

It was sickening how the press was attacking Mexico throughout the Gold Cup and insinuating that they were in a huge crisis. 2 games and a week later, they are the cinderella team of Copa America and one of the favorites.

If one thing I hate is sensationalism. I hate fair weather reporting.

It is obvious that the team is not where it's suppose to be and that there is room for vast improvements. However, this team is going through a complete renovation. I am not talking about just a set of new faces, I am also talking about tactics.

Mexico has utilized the 3-5-2 fomation since 2001. Meza, Aguirre, and Lavolpe all modified the formation according to their style, but Mexico always utilized 3 centerbacks and 2 fullbacks. Mexico has not played with a 4 man backline since Manuel Lapuente.

Hugo is changing everything from formations to functions.

People discredit Hugo's tactical knowledge and his ability to decipher/draft game plans, but the truth is that he is not as limited as his enemies say he is. If you go to Mexico's previous 2 coaches, both of them required the services of a naturalized player. By requiring the services of naturalized players, a person can deduct that 1) not enough good players around or 2) coach is letting his tactics dictate the roster, rather than the roster dictating the tactics.

In other words, A coach can praise the 4-3-3 and dream of having a Maradona play the mid and spread around the offense and fabricate plays, but if you do not have that player to do that, the 4-3-3 is worthless.

It is evident that Hugo is altering his formation based on the material at hand. At times, he plays with 2 holding midfielders and other times he plays with one. During one exhibition match, Mexico went from a 4-4-2, into a 4-3-3.. Bofo was controling the midfield and playing superb.

You can see that Hugo is trying to find different variables. Switching Medina and Guardado from their natural positions.

Mexico is spreading the offense around the field a bit more. That much is true.

People are wondering why Mexico is playing a bit better than it was in Gold Cup. I say that Mexico is playing the same, but that there is a huge difference-----the opposition.

Not one team from CONCACAF plays openly man against Mexico. NO ONE. They all tend have 8-9 guys behind the ball and try to bunker or play counter attacking football. I do not care if you are Brazil, playing against a team that is committed to defend and not open up is hard.

Brazil and Ecuador showed that they wanted to play up front, attacking football. It made Mexico's job easier because Mexico has always been a team that allows for open style football. It is in Mexico's sporting culture to do that. Just look at Mexico's clubs. When they go to play matches in South America, they go there to win. They do not play 9-10 behind the ball. There is a reason why Mexican clubs are getting big wins against Boca, River, Sao Paolo, Penarol, etc in their backyard....

My point is.... the opponant also matters and also dictates the type of game it will be.

I expect Mexico to play tight games during the next set of WCQ because most teams will not open up to Mexico. They will put more people behind the ball

Anonymous said...

the show is the show. i was just trying to demonstrate that even members of the mexican media agreed that it was a penalty. by saying it was a phantom penalty or what have you it becomes the same song and dance. where the US wins a game and all the blame is put outside of the mexico team themselves. but finally after this game you did hear people admitting that there is no answer and the excuses must be done with.

now that said and after reading luis's comments we can agree that the open style of south america favors mexico. but and a big but in order to become a super power you must be able to hit at every style that comes at you. now some are easier to hit back than others but wether they attack you or sit back the best teams find a way to create. i also have one game in mind luis. What happened against Honduras, they played wide open against Mexico and dominated them.

Anonymous said...

Nery Castillo is phenomenal. Behind Nery, Rafa, Torrado, and Memo/Sanchez they can win this tournament. No question about it. You only need one goal to win a game as long as you keep the scoreline clean. Nery has proven he is unstoppable and he alone generated at least 10 clear goal chances in 2 games. No reason to think he will be shut down.

By the way, this is not a fantasy or hallucination but Mexico is going to add Gio Dos Santos, Vela, and co. and they are going to hoist lots of trophies. The U-20 looks world class.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous,

Trying to point out that certain reporters within the Mexican media validate the notion that it was legitimate is a mistake in your line of reasoning. That is a fallacy. I could counter argue that by stating that some US fans and media members thought that call left doubt (which by the laws of the game state that a PK should not be called if there is doubt).

That still does not make it so.

---------------------------

I know that a team has to be able to adjust at every different style, speed, formation that is thrown at them. That is what seperates the Brazils and the Argentinas from the rest.

Mexico is not better or worse right now as oppose to how they played during the Gold Cup. They are not riding high.

The opponent also matters and the truth of it is that a team that is deterimined to put 8-10 guys behind the ball will complicate even the best of teams.

In this day and age, results rule over progress. The days of Fergie getting 25 years as the coach are pretty much long gone. Coaches play conservative and there is a difference between playing to win and playing not to lose.

Putting things into PERSPECTIVE, one will realize that the Mexican NT is neither in a crisis (as suggested by many media outlets during their Gold Cup run) nor are they top of the hill of the Copa America (as many media outlets from South America are suggesting).

I do not see why LB would say that Mexico is long away from lifting up a trpohy in the near furture when in fact Mexico seems to have a much better international record than of any other CONCACAF team

-----------------------------

Also, using the Mexico-Honduras example is bogus to say the least. Mexico played with 10 men.

Anonymous said...

lic i saw it as a penalty and that is my reasoning. the fact that it was called makes it itself a penalty. the fact that people born outside of the U.S. saw it as a penalty means that Mexico is finally accepting a strong team outside of them on Concacaf. which in turn will help them get better if you have no respect for your opponent how can you get better.

when it was 11 vs 11 honduras dominated my friend! Tri got lucky they scored on first.

Nigeria 2 time Under 17 champion
Ghana 2 time under 17 champion
Russia one time Under 17 Champion
Saudi Arabia one time Under 17 Champion
Has that resulted into anything big for them?
They all have good players just like Mexico but a major big time trophy isn't going to happen any time soon. So everyone brings up how Mexico has players in big teams in europe who win. That's great but are any of them difference makers? Are any of them a big time loss if they are out? Did you see Salcido in the Champions League versus Liverpool? He played like crap in both games he got abused.

No matter how much Mexico improves the U.S. improves that much more and Argentina keeps bringing up big time players. As well as all the other powers the only trophy's El Tri will win are in Concacaf and hopefully with some luck something vs Conmebol. But to actually suggest bigger is not in Perspective.

Anonymous said...

Football is a contact sport which is why not all contact is considered a foul. Ching's knee collided with Magallon, a play where Magallon already was planted and in position.

IFAB clearly states that any foul that awards a direct free kick within the playing field would award a penalty if that foul is inside the box. There are 7 infractions that award a direct kick. Had that "foul" been committed anywhere outside the box it would not have resulted in a direct kick. That is my reasoning and intepretation of the rules. I do not need a food critic to tell me what food is good, and I certain do not need a show to tell me what constitutes a penalty. Anybody that has any experience officiating or playing the game knows this.

The fact that is was called a penalty does not make it so. Officials do and have made mistakes. I can go down memory lane for you and tell you of games from various tournaments where officials had a DIRECT hand in the result.

------------------------

Your line of reasoning is laughable to say the least.

Your whole line of reasoning is based NOT on the rules of the game set forth by the INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION BOARD, but on the notion that some Mexicans feel it was also a penalty.

You are assuming that ONLY those Mexicans that consider it a penalty are not basing their reactions on nationality. I said that i too could counter your argument by stating that even American fans and media thought the call was a bit premature and even questionable. BIT I will not use that argument because it is fallable.

-------------------------------

Who says I do not have respect for the US. You really do not know how to present or argue your position. Do not make this personal.

Stating that their was a bogus PK against the US is not showing disrespect or contempt for the US team.

--------------------------

You can try to belittle Mexico's U-17 accomplishment and bunch them in with other teams like Ghana, Nigeria, etc, but your comparison lacks objectivity Players from those national teams do not have something that the Mexican player has---a strong domestic league. Mexican players are not at the mercy of promoters and agents. Africans and Eurasians are at the mercy of those type of promoters and have to depend on foreign FAs and promoters to land good contracts.

You can keep fooling yourself that Mexico is long away from lifting a title.

The fact is that Mexico's progress in the last 20 years is something that is finally starting to be recognized by international press and federations.

Copa America, Copa Libertadores, Copa Sudamericana, Confederation's Cup, World Cup.

Mexico has played the Copa America finals on two occasions (1993 & 2001). They have also been semifinalist on 4 occasions (1993, 1997, 1999, 2001). Mexico made the finals their first ever appearance in 1993.

Mexican clubs have been a protagonist in South American club competitions since being able to participate in 1998. Club America has been a semifinalist on 3 occasions (2000,2002,2007). Guadalajara has made a semifinalist on 2 occasions (2005, 2006). Cruz Azul was a finalist in 2001. Mexican clubs have participated in 2 Copa Sudamericanas and in both editions produced a finalist. UNAM lost to Boca on penalties in 2005. Pachuca beat Colo Colo in Santiago in 2006.

Lets not forget the U-17 FIFA world Cup title that Mexico won in 2005.

Lets not forget the 1999 FIFA Confederation Cup.

Furthermore, lets not forget that since 1986, Mexico has advanced past the group stages of the World Cup. Not even Argentina, England, etc have done that.

No disrespect to the US, but until they ante up the stakes and go outside of the US and play up against real teams in real environments, they will not get better. The Mexican NT and its clubs are able to go to Europe and South America and win in their back yards and are able to do it playing their brand of football.

Against Sao Paolo, Boca, River, Penarol, Nacional, Colo Colo, Atl Medillin, etc... a Mexican club has gone down there and picked up the 3 points or the series.

Those type of club results give confidence to the players and that confidence permeated and trickles onto the NT.

Now, considering that Mexican teams (NT and club) are starting to get use to final-type atmosphere--you say that lifting a title in the near future is not happening, but yet have the audacity to say the US improves more?

What happened in France 98?

What happened in the Confederation Cup in France 03?

What happened in Germany 06?

What happened to MLS clubs when CONCACAF clubs tournament went to a round robin format?

The USSF and MLS can gloat about the Gold Cup, but when the USSF and MLS decides to leave their backyard and actually play teams in their backyard, that is when they will become better.

To end this conversation, I agree with Joel. Mexican teams both at club and national team, are making a habit of playing in the later rounds of knockout tournaments and are "learning" to play outside their comfort zones

Anonymous said...

So your suggesting that the wins by both Ghana and Nigeria are less meaningful because they have bad domestic leagues? So you watch a lot of football and can name the accomplishments of Mexican teams big deal I could have done that.You forgot to mention World Cup 2002.But as Luis suggested and you just confirmed Mexico has trouble winning trophies. You just named a crap load of second, third and fourth places. Hey watching Pachuca win the Sudamericana was fun but it wasn't Libertadores which is what matters most. And let's look at the team who are their biggest playmakers? And we are talking about Mexico here not their clubs with 6 foreign players who dominate their respective teams. Yes excluding Chivas. So if your going to use the US wins in their backyard only then Mexico won their only non concacaf senior trphy at home...so...so you believe Mexico has progressed at a better pace than the US?MLS is not as good because their is no money for foreign players but you have to look at the national player here. at the and of this long day I Agree With Luis. Let's hope for me being wrong and Mexico winning the Copa!by the way I'm writing on my BB so if my spelling and punctuation and grammar is bad you know why.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous,

I never said that the youth titles obtained by Ghana and Nigeria are meaningless in comparison to that of Mexico's 2005 U-17 title. I am simply saying that Mexico has an advantage because they have the resources and infrastructure to build on that success.

I am simply pointing out that comparing Mexico's U-17 achievement to that of Ghana, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia is incomparable given the circumstances of each FA and their respective country's economic indicators.

Pardon the baseball analogy, but look at how many years Chinese Teipei (Taiwan) dominated Little League Baseball. If memory serves me, they have won close to 20 titles. Yet, how come their players werent being scouted during their teenage years? Teipei, along with Mexico, Korea, etc all did not have adequate baseball leagues past Little League. Those players that still wanted to continue playing baseball had to find other means to play (and at times move to different cities).

Those players from Ghana, Nigeria, etc that lifted youth titles all experience what Taiwanese little league players went through----not having decent infrastructure or a competitive league to play in and further develop.

---------------------------

I did not fail to mention the US' performance in 2002. I always said that if the US could build on that success, it would not only benefit US soccer but CONCACAF.

What the US did in 2002 went in vain in 2003 (Confederation's Cup) and in 2006 (World Cup).

The US has not shown to be consistant. Yes, they had a wonderful 2002 tournament.

------------------------------

I may have listed a crap load of second & third places, but it is apparent Luis (and yourself) see things alot different than I do.

Luis thinks Mexico is a long way from lifting any sort of silverware.

Here is a newsflash for you (and Luis)------ You can not lift ANY silverware if you do not participate OR do not make it past the group stages.

That fact that Mexico is consistanly fighting for those spots (1st place, runner up, third place) increases their chances at lifting a trophy.

----------------------------

If you want to belittle Pachuca's Copa Sudamericana title, that is fine. If you want to give the foreign players more credit for that title than of the Mexican players, that is fine too.

All I can say is that Pinto, Cacho, and Correa all have gained valuable international experience. Their performance against Brazil is not just a coincidence.

Look at what Club America did this past Copa Libertadores. They took a bunch of reserve players and won some key matches on the road. Those type of games build charachter. It helps a player and gives them more international exposure.

Pachuca, America, Chivas, Toluca, all have gone with reserve players at one point or another and those reserve players have responded. Those players at one point will start becoming NT players.

------------------------------

Anonymous said...

Giovanni Dos Santos and Carlos Vela are the real deal.

Rating players by opinon is purely subjective but I know it when I see it. I have played and studied the beautiful game, and watched a lot of leagues throughout the world and I can honestly say that Mexico has never had a player with the game changing ability and electric playmaking ability of Nery Castillo let alone Gio Dos Santos and Vela.

Gio Dos Santos has a chance to be one of the best player to ever play the game and that goes for any nationality. He is in the class of Zidane, Pele, Maradona, Zico, Ronaldhino, Ronaldo, Stoichkov, Haggi, Gaza. He might even be a notch or two better than Messi and Cristiano when it's all said and done. Watch him in action in the U-20 world cup, he is ready to dominate the world. The goal he scored today says it all.

Speed, skill, explosiveness, intelligence, tree trunk legs, low-center of gravity, flair etc... he has it all. Barcelona are very lucky to have him.

I am not trying to add extensive logic here but it does not take a rocket scientist to see that adding Nery, Gio, Vela together in their prime for the next 3 world cups that the odds of Mexico winning a World Cup just increased 10-fold.

Just ask Argentina what a difference it is to play with Maradona and without, they can carry teams. It's a once in a lifetime deal and I for one can't wait to see this kid play more for Barca and the big team. He will be a champion many times over.

Anonymous said...

Little League is 10-11 year olds and Tapei proved it used older illegal kids many of those 20 titles. The Youth Championships are 17 year boys in which most are already proffesional athletes. So that comparison is not valid in this argument. I also played baseball at a very high level I even got paid so don't get me started with that sport.

Then let's look at Russia and Saudi Arabia if for some reason Nogeria and Ghana just can't carry that momemtum of winning a youth championship like Mexico can. As far as I know and according to CNN they are very well established countries. I don't know their infrastructure of how they treat their soccer in the big picture. But I am sure Saudi Arabia has tons of money to pour into their system. I mean they pay millions for foreign players so why wouldn't they do the same to their system. Russia as far as I know has a descent league. It was just 2 years ago CSKA Moskow won the UEFA cup. I mean that's a big prize. So what's the difference between what those 2 countries accomplished and Mexico accomplished? I don't get your point I will assume that when they won those championships they had some stud players or else how could of they had won it.

We can argue forever here about how good that U-17 Mexico team was. Dos Santos and Vela are studs but guess what the next Championships are going to produce more studs and the next one and the next one. Unless those players only come from Mexico I can't see ourselves lifting a trophy sooner than later. But every major country in this soccer world is producing major players every day and the only way Mexico can top them is to produce them biggger and faster. Fabregas, Messi, Ronaldo and a bunch of others are still young and have 2-3 more world cups to compete in against Vela and Dos Santos.

Joel Aceves said...

Regarding the validity of an U-17 WC Championship. While there is a significant drop in talent as the youth progress to the U-20 and so-forth, winning a youth title shows progress in youth development.

Speaking of Ghana and Nigeria's initial dominance of Youth tourneys; Once FIFA started cracking down on over-age players, a common practice in Africa and Asia, these teams 'suddenly' stop reaching the finals.

A quick look to recent finalist will show that things are back to normal. IMO, what made Mexico's U-17 Championship so special, aside from the "Golden Generation" was the way in which they outplayed traditional powerhouses Holland and Brazil to hoist the trophy!

Anonymous said...

You obviously missed the point, and furthermore it is valid. The point is that if success at the youth levels is not further developed and continued, then those titles go in vain.

Funny you mention overaged kids, because African teams have been accused at the youth levels of knowingly using overaged players at youth tournaments. But this issue does not pertain to the this particular discussion.

And no, not all u-17 players are professional. Most of Mexico's 2005 U-17 players were not professional. Most of them were trained by a club's youth school and played in lower division leagues not pertaining to Mexico's footballing pyramid (1st, 2nd , 3rd, or 4th).

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Suadi Arabia may have some rich oil shieks that want to bring in Ex European stars, but the truth is that those leagues (Saudi Arabia, Iran, Qatar, UAE, etc) are not developed. I have had family stay in those countries for long periods of time and when foreign compounds (be it US, European, etc) have better playing facilities than that of the nationals--it should tell you that they are not spending the money at the grass root levels.

Ghana and Nigeria, for obvious reasons, just do not have the resources or infrastructure to develop its players.

Russia is a special case. Russia is a country that had the resources to develop some of the worlds best athletes (in various disciplines), however, with the fall of the iron curtain, many programs (social, academic, private, athletic) are just not being funded anymore. There is a reason why many soviet trainers in various fields (soccer, gymnastics, etc) were head hunted by Western societies (like the UK, US, etc).


-------------------------

You are right... we could argue forever... but the point is that while Mexico is CONSISTANTLY fighting for top honors (1st place, runner up, third place) both at the youth, club, and national team levels, their players are gaining valuable experience and removing the stigma of playing against traditional powerhouse jerseys. They do not tuck tail and run at the sight of a jersey that read--- Brazil, Argentina, River Plate, etc.

Anonymous said...

when 20 years pass and Mexico has not won the World Cup you'll remember this blog. i'm as big of fan of Mexico as you are and wish for nothing like the best. reality is i don't think that accomplishment can be done with what we have now.

you have no idea when i was coaching baseball how many times parents thought their kids were the greatest athletes in the world. we had great players who played at a high level but at some point reality hits and i was never one to spell it out for them.

Anonymous said...

Mexico may not win the World Cup in 20 years, but being in a position to win it is all I can ask for. As I stated earlier, you can not lift a trophy if you do not put your yourself in a position to win it. Not going past the group stages and placing 8-10 guys behind the ball is not going to cut it.