Yeah, I don't mind Montero, only think that Mier should be our second goalie. Also, if there is a goalie playing consistently in a top league, he should be looked at.
I wouldn’t take the guy in Italy let him win his spot instead of losing it just to be 3rd choice keeper
They're just keeping the spot warm for Mier imo. Lorenzo needs to figure out what he's doing but Mier has to be integrated now, no sense in holding multiple older goalies at the expense of a talented up and coming goalie. It's fine Montero or Ospina starting, but at worst Mier needs to be in the camps and probably one makes sense to be dropped to give him chances.
Based on how Lorenzo is really trying to pass out from the back Mier should be fast tracked into the job imo. Vargas has done a good job but he's shaky.
It will probably be Vargas starting in Bolivia. But I will play along with the hypothetical. Montero has done alright in every appearance for Colombia, plays at altitude at Millos and has already started for us in a huge WCQ road match at altitude in Quito. I am a fan of Mier. His style has grown on me a lot but it would be kind of risky throwing him out there in a game like this. His strength is with the ball at his feet, passing/distribution and smooth play. However, his shot stopping and giving up of rebounds is still a bit of work in progress and in La Paz that may be a recipe for disaster. Won't be good for his confidence. I would rather start him at home when we are officially qualified.
Yeah It might make sense to start giving him minutes once we've qualified and stay with the Vargas. It's hard to judge goalies, but Lorenzo if he really wants to make the next step needs to be looking to get guys like Mier and Yasser comfortable and integrated sooner rather than later.
Let's not be so quick to (mis)judge Vargas. That stop he made from Valero's header (Peru) was world class and helped bring the point home. He's usually ok with his feet but made a mistake that could have cost us dearly. He's not the best GK in the world or even south america but unless he has a lot more bloopers he's our #1 from here to the WC. Ospina's last WCQ cycle was pretty poor but he had enough 'credit' based on previous performances.
I would not be surprised by that at all. That said, I see it like a stock. Vargas is good now but will he be good in 2026? He may be trending down. Mier is definitely trending up and has such a high ceiling. By 2026 he could be our starter. At least , I would not be surprised if he is giving Vargas a run for his money.
The only real positives are mental and bragging rights. Guarantees us a Seed for the draw but finishing 2nd or even 3rd could do that for us too as long as we are high enough in the FIFA rankings.
He's 35 and isn't a top notch goalie. He's done a good job but Mier is a top notch prospect that has a huge ceiling, we should be looking at the World Cup as a chance where we can really do something special and if we want to do that we can't be scared to use our best talent, Not saying that Vargas can't remain the number 1, but we need to be bold and can't get complacent and Mier and every other player in our pool should be evaluated with a chance to win a job as a starter.
Lorenzo started Duran against Argentina, so I don't doubt he'd have no problem starting him at any moment in time
I think we need to keep a competitive edge but Lorenzo hasn't even given alot of playing time to young guys even in friendlies, our squad will be better for getting guys like Yaser and Mier and others comfortable and used to playing with us.
Yeah he has steadily given players chances and fazed out older players, even if some of the older guys have been given more chances than others. Hopefully he keeps that up, because Rios/Arias /Cordoba are success stories because of Lorenzo letting them win their spots.
I mean I don't disagree that Mier is a top prospect but stuck in Mexico for our next GK prospect kinda sucks. Copa America would have been a great place for him to have a shot but he didnt even make the final roster. And Lorenzo will need that 35 yo Vargas as sharp as possible for the WC so I don't see him even sitting bench after we officially qualify. Vargas is a decent shot stopper GK, vey good positioning but not great with his feet and kind of looks like a small frame despite only being 2" shorter than Mier. Wish he was better at 1 v 1s as well as getting the ball to our forwards faster. Gallese (Peru) and Dibu (Arg) are very good at starting that counterattack . He happens to have a solid defense in Colombia which I think covers a lot of his weaknesses.
Don't think it matters much for a GK to play in Mexico or south america. The important thing is that he's playing. I'd rather have that than him going to Europe and that he's the second or third goalie somewhere and later bounces around from team to team like Devis. As I said earlier as soon as we´re quaified I hope he gets to be the GK for all the remaining WCQ games.
yet Ospina was the 2nd and 3rd GK for years in Europe and still our #1. I do think it matters as it's so so difficult to GK in European top 5 leagues unless you offer something others don't or can't do. Of course, I'd rather a GK have starting minutes in MX rather than eating bench in Europe. But every rising futbolero recognizes that Euro top 5 offer better competition, better facilities, better staff, better trainers and on and on so it prepares you on a different level which can only help the NT in the long run. Anyhow, I'd love to see Mier. I just don't see Lorenzo changing or even testing that position. Hope I'm wrong because he should have a plan "B" that's ready to play when his time comes.
yeah but Ospina was competing with top goalkeepers and training with the best, not comparable to someone like Devis Vasquez or Vargas and Mier competing with random mexican guy from Leon or whatever
Vargas has never played outside of Colombia and Mexico so why would we knock Mier for playing in Mexico when he's young? We don't have any clear cut better goalies in better leagues, if Mier is better he should play Vargas has taken his chance but the guy isn't a great goalie Mier although still young and learning has a really good chance of being a top goalie and its pretty surprising he's still in Mexico (not sure this will last). Talent should the decider not that Vargas is our number 1, we should be willing to take some gambles when the upside is very high, we have done well but our goals should be to compete for the World Cup now.
Ospina was #1 at nice went to Arsenal took the top spot from Poland’s #1 and benched him. He then left for Juve because he was 3rd choice. Then they got Cech who had in his contract he had to start. Ospina played the cup games then left. Martinez - arge Tina’s #1 was 3rd/4th choice at that time Napoli always a starter even when all the Italians are like please start Meret and they spent 40m on new Buffon. Left because of money and pressuring coaches to use the Italian even tho like 5 coaches still kept him # 1 Saudi league starter till he broke his elbow. only place not a #1 was Arsenal but won his spot then got fkd
he's right I remember at Napoli I think at the very tail end Meret finally started some games but regardless everyone always put Ospina first over Meret
When we had Ospina for most of his career no one was close to him, even when he wasn't playing he was far and away still our best goalie. Vargas ain't Ospina and the situation now is pretty different, Mier is clearly way too good for Mexico and should keep progressing as he's young for a goalie tbd if he's at the stage that he can do the job for us but I know that if Vargas is our starter at 37 at the World Cup it's not gonna be a great situation.