Join NowTrying to Make Sense of Mexican Football
Even With Gio Out and Temo Nicked, Aguirre Sticks to his Guns
Dos Santos and Blanco have been instrumental in Mexico's resurgence
Sven Goran Ericksson left Mexico in worse shape than he found it after a 3-1 defeat to Honduras earlier this year. The coach that Chivas owner, Jorge Vergara, brought in amidst a flurry of fanfare didn’t even get a ride to the airport on his way out of town, albeit with a hefty little buyout in his bank account. It wasn’t all rainclouds and doom for SGE, though. He did manage to get one thing right: he gave Giovani Dos Santos some PT.
Thanks, Sven. Don’t let the door hit you on the arsel on your way out.
Even though Gio didn’t do so well in those first few games, he did have some moments of brilliance: it was his assist on Matias Vuoso’s goal in Edmonton that ultimately proved to be the goal that sent Mexico through to the hex. With Javier Aguirre at the helm, though, Gio’s place on the team was not as secure, and he did himself no favors by stepping almost immediately into the coach’s doghouse. He was not called in for Vasco’s first match at El Salvador because he allegedly used his cellphone at a team function (I guess cell phones were verboten).
It was a humbled and more mature Gio that we saw in the Gold Cup. Javier Aguirre put his faith in the starlet, and the player responded with a virtuoso performance: 2 goals, 4 assists, and the tournament MVP. He continued his torrid streak at the Saprissa with a goal and two assists, putting Mexico in the golden zone. Unfortunately for Mexico, he was clattered down from behind in Tottenham’s Carling Cup fixture at Preston North End. The resulting bum ankle will keep him out for at least a month, which includes the last two fixtures in the hex.
It’s not Mexico’s only injury worry. Cuauhtémoc Blanco strained a hammy a few weeks ago against Columbus. Initially, it was thought he would be out at least a month. But Blanco himself said he would be ready for the El Salvador match, and all indications appear that he’ll be available. How effective he is and how long he can play remains to be seen.
With Gio out, and an iffy Blanco, Javier Aguirre had some decisions to make. The Mexican press didn’t hesitate: Zinha Zinha Zinha. He’s so good, he can replace both of them. The Toluca mainstay had not been called since the Swede left Mexico. And he still hasn’t been called, much to the dismay of just about every talking head and columnist. Zinha is great player, there is no doubt. But great club players don’t necessarily mean they’ll be good at the international level. Mexico could field an impressive all-dissapointing at the international level XI. Zinha has been nothing short of very average in his last few outings in Green.
Nery? If this was 2007, it would be a no-brainer. Sadly, 2007 was the last time Nery Castillo saw any kind of regular action. He currently is languishing on the bench at Dnipro in the Ukraine. Despite his inactivity, Aguirre continued to call him up, until now. Nery has always been hotheaded. But lately he's gone from crazy eyes killa to just plain crazy. The act has grown thin on a lot of fans, and it seems on Aguirre as well. He is supremely talented, no question. But until he gets his head right with ball, there is no need to reserve a spot for him when there are other more deserving players.
What about el Bombardero? Arsenal’s Carlos Vela has finally gotten over his ankle problems and is seeing minutes for the first time this year. He and Gio have different styles, but one thing they have in common is that they are both difference makers. Difference makers are what Mexico has historically lacked. Vela has been largely absent from the hex, either due to sanctions or injury. It’s his turn to reward his coach for believing in him. It’s his turn to make a difference. After all, the payoff could be huge.
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I hope we Mexico in the cup next year.Posted 02 Oct 2009 at 07:56 PM by busbyboy74 
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Wow, so now Mexico is a verb? Who knew?Quote:Originally Posted by busbyboy74
I hope we Mexico in the cup next year.Posted 02 Oct 2009 at 09:52 PM by Martininho 
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"Person North End"?
Jagou, spellcheck hath betrayed you.Posted 02 Oct 2009 at 10:19 PM by I. Tristeza
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Sure. I try to Mexico as often as I can.Quote:Originally Posted by Martininho
Wow, so now Mexico is a verb? Who knew?
Posted 03 Oct 2009 at 04:02 AM by jackiesdad
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It is a pity for Dos Santos getting injured now, his attitude and approach training has apparently improved enormously, so he would have had chances at club level and not just national.
Posted 03 Oct 2009 at 06:06 AM by sendorange
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I agree that Gio is an extremely talented player while Nery needs to join the wrestling federation where he fits much better.
I still think that Mexico is alway overrated by the press. Yes, they always have a couple of players that are "very good" but have always lacked the difference maker (as the article states). Mexico will be at the WC 2010 but not because of their talent and play; instead they will be there thanks to the field competition who give them way too much respect at home. If they were playing against South American competition, they would be fighting with Bolivia for next to last place.Posted 03 Oct 2009 at 11:01 AM by FGavidia
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The U.S is the most overrated team if ever their was one.Quote:Originally Posted by FGavidia
I agree that Gio is an extremely talented player while Nery needs to join the wrestling federation where he fits much better.
I still think that Mexico is alway overrated by the press. Yes, they always have a couple of players that are "very good" but have always lacked the difference maker (as the article states). Mexico will be at the WC 2010 but not because of their talent and play; instead they will be there thanks to the field competition who give them way too much respect at home. If they were playing against South American competition, they would be fighting with Bolivia for next to last place.Posted 03 Oct 2009 at 03:49 PM by busbyboy74
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I think the ones that are overrated are the South American teams. Mexico has done extremely well in Copa America competition since 1993. Outside of Brazil and Argentina, Mexico has only lost about a half a dozen times to South American opposition in official matches since 1993 while winning almost 20. And almost all of that has been outside of Mexico. And even against the Brarg collective, they more than hold their own, particularly against Brazil.
If Mexico played in the CONMEBOL round robin, they may not make the world cup every time, but they would qualify 9 times out of 10.Posted 03 Oct 2009 at 04:01 PM by John Jagou
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"If Mexico played in the CONMEBOL round robin, they may not make the world cup every time, but they would qualify 9 times out of 10." And you base this on Copa America results? I'd argue that that tournament is not a great marker for future qualifying success. For example, in the last two editions, Ecuador bombed out and Paraguay was incapable of breaking the "Top 4", while Peru looked decent in both tournaments (i.e. better than getting stuck in a dog-fight for worst team).
As for Mexico, and I'm winging it since we don't have any hard evidence to back up this assertion: given the presence of Brazil (when's the last time Mexico got a good result IN Brazil?), Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Chile and Ecuador (assuming that Peru and Colombia don't get back up anytime soon from their current slumber), I think 9 out of 10 is a bit high. 5 or 6 out of 10 would seem more reasonable - especially considering that the Azteca would cease to be a "3-points-guaranteed" fortress.Posted 03 Oct 2009 at 04:16 PM by usafan12
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you only say this because the united states was embarrassed last time aroundQuote:Originally Posted by usafan12
"If Mexico played in the CONMEBOL round robin, they may not make the world cup every time, but they would qualify 9 times out of 10." And you base this on Copa America results? I'd argue that that tournament is not a great marker for future qualifying success. For example, in the last two editions, Ecuador bombed out and Paraguay was incapable of breaking the "Top 4", while Peru looked decent in both tournaments (i.e. better than getting stuck in a dog-fight for worst team).
As for Mexico, and I'm winging it since we don't have any hard evidence to back up this assertion: given the presence of Brazil (when's the last time Mexico got a good result IN Brazil?), Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Chile and Ecuador (assuming that Peru and Colombia don't get back up anytime soon from their current slumber), I think 9 out of 10 is a bit high. 5 or 6 out of 10 would seem more reasonable - especially considering that the Azteca would cease to be a "3-points-guaranteed" fortress.Posted 03 Oct 2009 at 04:45 PM by la fresa
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