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With Vela Out, Will Aguirre Opt for Youth or Experience?
Posted 24 Aug 2009 at 02:47 PM by John Jagou
With Carlos Vela out for a month, Javier Aguirre has a choice to make. His call-ups for Mexico's next two qualifiers will be announced tomorrow, so will he opt for the tried and true... and tired? Is he going to play it safe with someone he has already seen? Or will he take a chance on an uncapped, but seriously talented youngster to fill the roster spot.
The Arsenal forward got clipped on his right ankle in Mexico ’s first Gold Cup game vs. Nicaragua . He was cleared to play in the latter stages of the tournament where he got one goal and one assist in the final. He went back to Arsenal between the final and the qualifier at the Azteca, again with limited action. Vela had not made the bench for any of Arsenal’s first few fixtures and their official website announced last Friday that he would be out for a month due to an injury sustained while on international duty.
So the Bombardero, Aguirre’s super sub, will not be available for Mexico ’s crucial 2 game stretch at Costa Rica and at home to Honduras . Conventional wisdom says that Aguirre will look no further than Chivas’ Alberto Medina. El Venado was on the Gold Cup roster and looked good in the first few games. But as the competition grew a little stiffer, Medina grew more tentative. He dances too much with the ball at his feet, and 9 times out of 10, he is dispossessed. He is not the game changer that Vela is. So if not el Venado, then who?
The Gold Cup’s Super Sub, Pablo Barrera, was curiously left off the roster for the August 12 match at the Azteca. Unfortunaltely for him, he has fallen victim to the Pumas freefall. Barrera has been their lone bright spot, however. He scored their only goal so far in their 5 game losing streak. He is a good option, but there are better.
Christian “El Hobbit” Bermudez got Atlante untracked with a very decent brace in their 3-1 win over Chivas over the weekend. Hobbit is appropriately nicknamed, but there is no denying that he is a very well rounded winger. What he lacks in size, he more than makes up for in skill, heart, and intelligence. He is the Pat Fischer of Mexican forwards. He does play on the right, though, which, on the Tri at least, is Gio’s domain. Nevertheless, he has earned a look.
Another intriguing option is Toluca's Nestor Calderon. Martin del Palacio named him, as a player to watch earlier this year. Martin was spot on. He is quick, has a fantastic first touch, has excellent ball skills, and is equally comfortable setting the table or scoring. Of the three players mentioned, Calderon is the one who qualities most closely resemble those of Carlos Vela.
The young chorizero is tied for the league lead in scoring with 5 goals and is one of the reasons why Toluca is off to yet another torrid start. He may be only 20, but he is already one of the best wingers in the Mexican Primera. It’s only a matter of time before he becomes a permanent addition to the national team.
The Arsenal forward got clipped on his right ankle in Mexico ’s first Gold Cup game vs. Nicaragua . He was cleared to play in the latter stages of the tournament where he got one goal and one assist in the final. He went back to Arsenal between the final and the qualifier at the Azteca, again with limited action. Vela had not made the bench for any of Arsenal’s first few fixtures and their official website announced last Friday that he would be out for a month due to an injury sustained while on international duty.
So the Bombardero, Aguirre’s super sub, will not be available for Mexico ’s crucial 2 game stretch at Costa Rica and at home to Honduras . Conventional wisdom says that Aguirre will look no further than Chivas’ Alberto Medina. El Venado was on the Gold Cup roster and looked good in the first few games. But as the competition grew a little stiffer, Medina grew more tentative. He dances too much with the ball at his feet, and 9 times out of 10, he is dispossessed. He is not the game changer that Vela is. So if not el Venado, then who?
The Gold Cup’s Super Sub, Pablo Barrera, was curiously left off the roster for the August 12 match at the Azteca. Unfortunaltely for him, he has fallen victim to the Pumas freefall. Barrera has been their lone bright spot, however. He scored their only goal so far in their 5 game losing streak. He is a good option, but there are better.
Christian “El Hobbit” Bermudez got Atlante untracked with a very decent brace in their 3-1 win over Chivas over the weekend. Hobbit is appropriately nicknamed, but there is no denying that he is a very well rounded winger. What he lacks in size, he more than makes up for in skill, heart, and intelligence. He is the Pat Fischer of Mexican forwards. He does play on the right, though, which, on the Tri at least, is Gio’s domain. Nevertheless, he has earned a look.
Another intriguing option is Toluca's Nestor Calderon. Martin del Palacio named him, as a player to watch earlier this year. Martin was spot on. He is quick, has a fantastic first touch, has excellent ball skills, and is equally comfortable setting the table or scoring. Of the three players mentioned, Calderon is the one who qualities most closely resemble those of Carlos Vela.
The young chorizero is tied for the league lead in scoring with 5 goals and is one of the reasons why Toluca is off to yet another torrid start. He may be only 20, but he is already one of the best wingers in the Mexican Primera. It’s only a matter of time before he becomes a permanent addition to the national team.
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I agree Calderon deserves a shot, he made Guti look foolish, who is a pretty damn good on ball defender. What I like most besides his ability to finish, is his willingness to go at defenders minus the tricks (venado).
I think one you missed was Chicharito, with Guille still without a team and his ineffectiveness against the US he absolutely deserves his shot. His size, athletecism, positining, and his headers are the best in the league. He's like a Borghetti with hops, strength, and much better feet.Posted 24 Aug 2009 at 03:11 PM by El Pipiripau 
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It'll probably be Calderon.
He is in fact very similar to Vela, the one thing lacking from his arsenal is that burst of speed that Vela is known for.
Other than that, he clearly deserves a chance to prove himself.
Cristian Bermudez is long overdue for a shot with the national team. By far the most creative young Mexican in the league.Posted 24 Aug 2009 at 03:24 PM by ...In my defense
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yeah chicharito is the next, pinita.
oh.Posted 24 Aug 2009 at 03:56 PM by Chiquitibum 
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You should've highlighted Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez the kid is 20 yrs. old, has the same goals as Calderon but with one game less played. Chicharito is showing his worth, and has kept veteran Omar Bravo out the Chivas starting line up. Which ever it ism Calderon with tremendous talent, or Chicharito... I think will do good.Posted 24 Aug 2009 at 04:42 PM by PasionPorElTri
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Vela hasn't been starting, so he doesn't leave that big of a hole. Lets also keep in mind that we plays in Cuauhtemoc's spot, and I see Cuauhtemoc starting in Saprissa. I would also love to see Calderon get a chance, I think he would be the best sub for Vela. Unfortunately, even if he gets called up, I doubt he will get a chance to play.
Cuau will probably start in the position and be subbed by Nery toward the end of the game. Another possibility is to move Gio into that spot and put Effrain on the right.Posted 24 Aug 2009 at 05:31 PM by Solid444
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I think is gonna be alberto medina " venado".
Posted 24 Aug 2009 at 07:26 PM by Brianna
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Dos Santos is not even playing for club......What up with that??
Posted 24 Aug 2009 at 09:33 PM by salchipapa619
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No Hobbit
No reason to think Hobbit will make the list. Calderon would be ok but IMO Javier Hernandez would be even better.Posted 24 Aug 2009 at 10:54 PM by SoDamnSmooth
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Everyone's overlooking Sinha. He has experience and tons of talent.
Posted 24 Aug 2009 at 11:10 PM by latinlinc
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I believe Chicharito Hernandez was on the list of players called to the Gold Cup (training camp) but was cut from the team. Anyways, with Sabah still on a Hot-Streak the main question is who will replace Guille; rumor is that he will not get called up (and with good reason) so we could be seeing both Calderon and Hernandez..Posted 25 Aug 2009 at 06:50 AM by Various Styles
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