Is Copa America the most important Cup for the MNT and their fans?

[Juan Luis Guerra]

I know that winning the Gold Cup will secure Mexico a spot in the Confeds Cup, but you know that for us, Copa America is the equivalent to "Copa Europa". I think that the Confederation cup this year is more important than other years because it will be played in the same facilities as the world cup. Nevertheless, Copa America is an old cup filled with glories, South american tradiction and cultural pride. Winning Copa America will certainly show respect for Mexico in the conmebol and concacaf area. In my opinion, Copa America is second after the World Cup. So how mexicans feel about winning Copa America?.

[John Jagou]

That is a very good question. I was swollen with pride in 1993 when Mexico played so well in the first Copa. I had just graduated from college, moved to Austin, didn't have pay per view, so I went to the Uptown Sports Bar on the east side, and paid my $20 cover to watch the semi-final between Mexico and Ecuador. I knew Mexico would win, and Hugo got his goal, the place went absolutely bananas. Copa America made me realize that Mexico was becoming a force (remember, we missed out on 1990 world cup, and had just qualified for the 94 in our first qualifying process since 1982, so we really didn't know where we stood). Thew final was a tough pill to swallow, but I do recognize that Argentina was better that day, but they had to earn it---they did. :(

It is more prestigious to win the copa America because of the level of competition, but I do think that winning Gold Cup is more important because of the confed cup tie in. I like the confed cup, it is a great opportunity to play vs. the varying styles the world has to offer. It is a great dress rehearsal, and a great prize for winning the Gold Cup.

[Juan Luis Guerra]

That is a very good question. I was swollen with pride in 1993 when Mexico played so well in the first Copa. I had just graduated from college, moved to Austin, didn't have pay per view, so I went to the Uptown Sports Bar on the east side, and paid my $20 cover to watch the semi-final between Mexico and Ecuador. I knew Mexico would win, and Hugo got his goal, the place went absolutely bananas. Copa America made me realize that Mexico was becoming a force (remember, we missed out on 1990 world cup, and had just qualified for the 94 in our first qualifying process since 1982, so we really didn't know where we stood). Thew final was a tough pill to swallow, but I do recognize that Argentina was better that day, but they had to earn it---they did. :(

It is more prestigious to win the copa America because of the level of competition, but I do think that winning Gold Cup is more important because of the confed cup tie in. I like the confed cup, it is a great opportunity to play vs. the varying styles the world has to offer. It is a great dress rehearsal, and a great prize for winning the Gold Cup.

I'm glad you think this way. I personally have a lot of respect to Copa AMerica. In fact, I've talked to some co-workers from Spain, England and France and they could care less about Confederation Cup. They really worry more about the World Cup, Europe Cup, La Copa del Rey, etcc.... I think that we dont value Copa America as we should. The day we begin to value the competion in our own continenet, then Europe, Africa and Asia will take us serious.

[Coster]

I'm glad you think this way. I personally have a lot of respect to Copa AMerica. In fact, I've talked to some co-workers from Spain, England and France and they could care less about Confederation Cup. They really worry more about the World Cup, Europe Cup, La Copa del Rey, etcc.... I think that we dont value Copa America as we should. The day we begin to value the competion in our own continenet, then Europe, Africa and Asia will take us serious.

You're missing the point on what makes the Confederations Cup valuable. Winning the thing or saying that you got to play in it realy isn't that big of a deal. But being able to play in the WC stadiums and country against good competition just a year before the WC is what has made it worthwhile. I don't know if someone at FIFA hit their head on something and came up with a stroke of genius or if it was just dumb luck, but they have given value to the tournament. Now it can be argued that the last Confed Cup really didn't help any of the teams involved, but if we end up taking a lot of first timers to the next WC - which I can't imagine that not happening - that will definitely give those players a leg up if they also get to play in the Confed Cup.