Join NowTrying to Make Sense of Mexican Football
Blanco Won't Play Much, But he Will Contibrute
Posted 20 May 2009 at 05:17 PM by John Jagou
It was supposed to be Cuauhtémoc’s last appearance with the Tri. Last fall in Chiapas, Rafa Marquez handed him the captain’s armband when he subbed in for some minutes vs. Canada. At the end of the game, the players walked across the field with a banner thanking him for all of his years of excellence. There was a fireworks show. Even the ref made sure his name would go in the books with a yellow. The next time he would dress in green, it would be his retirement exhibition.
Ever since then, Mexico has been awful. A grand total of 1 point was earned in 5 away qualifiers. The high-priced Suede who was supposed to make Mexico better made them look worse. The fireman who quelled Mexico’s last qualifying crisis in 2001 was brought back. But back then it was Blanco who made the difference on the field. He single handedly saved Mexico from elimination with a second half brace in Kingston. He can make a difference again, but this time he won’t have to bear the brunt of the weight. He shouldn’t have to.
In 8 games with the Fire this year, he has 1 goal and 5 assists. At 36, Blanco is just not a guy who can give you a full 110 in 90 minutes. But as sure as as summers in Texas last 9 months, one simple touch from him can change the fortunes of a game. He is quite simply the best Mexican National Team player in history, and if he has a little gas in the tank, then there is no reason not to use him.
There is precedence: Mexico’s greatest player ever was robbed of his world cup when he was at his peak in 1990. But Hugo Sanchez came back in 1993 in his mid 30’s to help Mexico earn CONCACAF’s only ticket to the world cup. It was his equalizer vs. the 2nd place Canadians that put Mexico into the world cup. And he sealed the win with his assist to Abuelo Cruz late in the game. Sanchez went on to have a great summer with Mexico in their first ever Copa America, where they eventually lost 2-1 to Argentina in the final.
Why Blanco? Why now? Because Mexico just hasn’t produced a player that matches his immense talent. Because He can mentor the youngsters who are tabbed to be his successors. He can be a calming influence on Nery. Because He can still make that one pass, that one move that no one else can see.
Because he has what very few players in Mexico have: it!
And Mexico desperately needs it.
Ever since then, Mexico has been awful. A grand total of 1 point was earned in 5 away qualifiers. The high-priced Suede who was supposed to make Mexico better made them look worse. The fireman who quelled Mexico’s last qualifying crisis in 2001 was brought back. But back then it was Blanco who made the difference on the field. He single handedly saved Mexico from elimination with a second half brace in Kingston. He can make a difference again, but this time he won’t have to bear the brunt of the weight. He shouldn’t have to.
In 8 games with the Fire this year, he has 1 goal and 5 assists. At 36, Blanco is just not a guy who can give you a full 110 in 90 minutes. But as sure as as summers in Texas last 9 months, one simple touch from him can change the fortunes of a game. He is quite simply the best Mexican National Team player in history, and if he has a little gas in the tank, then there is no reason not to use him.
There is precedence: Mexico’s greatest player ever was robbed of his world cup when he was at his peak in 1990. But Hugo Sanchez came back in 1993 in his mid 30’s to help Mexico earn CONCACAF’s only ticket to the world cup. It was his equalizer vs. the 2nd place Canadians that put Mexico into the world cup. And he sealed the win with his assist to Abuelo Cruz late in the game. Sanchez went on to have a great summer with Mexico in their first ever Copa America, where they eventually lost 2-1 to Argentina in the final.
Why Blanco? Why now? Because Mexico just hasn’t produced a player that matches his immense talent. Because He can mentor the youngsters who are tabbed to be his successors. He can be a calming influence on Nery. Because He can still make that one pass, that one move that no one else can see.
Because he has what very few players in Mexico have: it!
And Mexico desperately needs it.
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Great read. I have faith in a 36 year old Blanco. What more could have been accomplished by the man if he never would have gotten seriously injured while in his prime and playing in europe.Posted 20 May 2009 at 05:28 PM by Socrates_81 
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You had me until you said Blanco can be a calming influence on Nery. He might take some of the heat off Nery, but calming? No.
He does have "it" and he makes others around him play better because of "it", but it takes half the friggin' Fire starting lineup to calm him down when he loses "it".Posted 20 May 2009 at 05:36 PM by Pablo Chicago
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In a weird way, Blanco does have the ability to calm Nery down. Maybe because he knows Blanco would woop that ass lol.
Posted 20 May 2009 at 05:40 PM by Socrates_81
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He doesn't run much (and never has) but man can he hit a ball how and where he wants it. I hope, for the Nats' sake, that he runs out of steam quickly.
Posted 20 May 2009 at 09:07 PM by tomásbernal
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OK, maybe a little bit of a man crush on Blanco, but John Jagou's got a point. If anyone can get Mexico back on the same page and restore the plot, it's that diving, complaining, goal scoring S.O.B. Sanchez may be Mexico's best ever but Blanco is still a playing legend. It will be interesting to see if he can make a horse race out of it.
Posted 21 May 2009 at 10:51 AM by LJSoccer
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When the Mex NT has to put the weight of its hopes on the shoulders of a 36 yr old, by no means is that a good sign. This shows the lack of player development taking place in Mex. In fact, the only thing they've developed lately is the Paraguayan national team. Last count there were 10 NT players from the Paraguayan team playing in the FMF.
Posted 21 May 2009 at 03:12 PM by latinlinc
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No wonder Mexico is so awful if they are pinning their hopes on "The high-priced Suede." Pleather/microfiber looks and feels like the real thing and no animals have to suffer.
Posted 21 May 2009 at 03:40 PM by owain
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Jumping the gun much, eh?Quote:Originally Posted by latinlinc
When the Mex NT has to put the weight of its hopes on the shoulders of a 36 yr old, by no means is that a good sign. This shows the lack of player development taking place in Mex. In fact, the only thing they've developed lately is the Paraguayan national team. Last count there were 10 NT players from the Paraguayan team playing in the FMF.
Blanco is there for the same reasons David Beckham, Mastroeni, or Pavon are on their respective national teams.
Because they can still contribute something.
Nobody with half a brain is expecting Blanco to carry the national team on his shoulders, except maybe troglodites like yourself.
Let's chill on the personal attacksPosted 21 May 2009 at 07:14 PM by ...In my defense
Updated 21 May 2009 at 09:41 PM by John Jagou -
So if he comes in to play the last 20 mins in a tie game, with expectations that he make the pass that leads to the tie breaking goal...what do you call that?Quote:Originally Posted by ...In my defense
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Because they can still contribute something.
Nobody with half a brain is expecting Blanco to carry the national team on his shoulders, except maybe troglodites like yourself.
That's why they've brought him back, to play 15-20 mins..and most likely they'll take place at the end of the game. Where the weight of the game hangs in the balance.
Just watch the games and if this scenario plays out then we'll see who's right...we'll see who's the one with half a brain.
Posted 22 May 2009 at 01:13 AM by latinlinc
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