Defeating Mexico in Mexico in a WCQ

I tend to think that the US has more room to grow than Mexico, though LMvCP brings up some good points. All you need to do to see the growth of American soccer is look at our World Cup teams from 90, 94, 98 and 02. The 02 team had depth the 90 team could only dream about. In 12 short years, the US went from nothings to WC quarterfinalists, and we haven't hit our ceiling.

I think the Bradenton academy has been spectacular for US development. Also, I think Chivas USA will spark interest in soccer among Mexican-Americans who might otherwise follow football or basketball and that might produce more talent.

 

I'd agree mexico can grow the game with increased wealth as a nation, which will provide better nutrition and lead to a more athletically-fit population pool.

And from that pool, the source of soccer talent can be nurtured.

My demographic arguement has to do with what percent of the population s subject to that pool from which soccer talent is culled.

And I think the percent of kids who kick a soccer ball around in mexico is a significantly larger PROPORTION of the population than in the states.

I think culturally, the game is MORE in-grained than it is in the states....

The source for growth in mexico is through greater affluence.

In the states, the growth can be achieved by raising the proportion of the american culture who are significantly interested in the game.

When Mexico played in miami against St Kitts, the ATTENDANCE was larger than the attendance in Columbus, when USA was playing JAMAICA.

Culturally, I believe there's FAR more interest in the game in mexico, than in the usa....

 

Mexico has lost a qualifier ONCE at Azteca. Ever.

 

Give it up yanks you aint winning at Azteca
Our supersecret Chivas USA club was started to study the gringo league
By the time of the hex and with the help of Rongen
We will know all your strenghts and weaknesses..

Mod please close this thread

theres is no more to be said

 

What you really should do is start a team in the Costa Rican league.

 

Vergara allready owns Costa Rican club Saprissa !!!

Which is coached by the mastermind behind Mexicos defeat

Hernan Medford..

 

Very funny, Various. Especially the part about "with the help of Rongen". I've been wondering when national teams- and clubs doing scouting- would pay any attention. Portugal certainly didn't, and look what happened to them. Reading hired Bobby Convey- Did they bother to look at the 50 or so other young players in the league? Apparently not.
So I would like to offer my services as an analyst/scout, but only for the right $. Have your people call my people.
Oh, that's right, I don't have any people.

 

I think the likelihood of victory at Azteca (or wherever in Mexico) which were low to begin with, has declined after seeing the schedule.....Playing there when our MLS contingent is ,what, 3 months into teh offseason?....Odds just got longer, and quite honestly i'd be more than happy with a point....

 

Those dates, for clarification, are March 26 or 27 in Mexico, and in the USA on September 3 or 4.

United States, Mexico to face off in March, September -- foxsports.com

U.S. World Cup (qualifying) dates -- foxsports.com

I wouldn't count our chances out just yet. Arena could very likely call in a heavy contingent of European-based players, as well as sprinkling the roster with some proven MLS players. As far as the "seasoning" of the roster is concerned, that's where the smart money lies.

Our Euro-based stars and role players would definitely be in mid-season form, without question.

 

Let's Get It On. Too stoked right now. I think our chances are great for a victory this time around.

Remember last time the team that went in wasn't the strongest. I think Claudio was out with a card accumulation, and a couple of guys were injured. I do remember Jovan starting too. With the increase in depth and guys hungry to impress for the World Cup roster, I see fantastic things ahead. And one of those includes a victory in Azteca.

The only question remains.........will Various Styles actually show up?

 

I'll gladly show up for him.

What everyone here fails to mention is that it wasn't our strongest team either.

It was Aguirre's 1st match in charge of a hurried 5 for 5 aim.. anything less and we'd be eliminated, although that didn't end up being true as the loss at RFK coupled with our draw at CR gave the final match at Azteca against Honduras the clincher.

He called in, I believe, 6 or 7 Cruz Azul players as they were just coming off the Libertadores final. Sprinkle 5 fellow Pachuca players and that was the core of the team that qualified us for those last hex matches. Aguirre even made a note to publically belittle the millionaire players with no heart that had idly stood by as we lost at Azteca for the first time ever (WCQ).

Good pass by Aspe to Jared.

Anyway..

Continue as planned.

 

As noted, right in the middle of MLS off season, the second away game being at Azteca was an unfortunate bit of scheduling. A win in the first away game against T&T, and a tie at Azteca, would be an excellent start.

 

It's actually not right in the middle of the MLS offseason. If anything, it's in the middle of the MLS preseason.

March 27: US at Mexico
April 2: DC United at Chivas USA

 

or more accurately near the end of offseason, if we judge preseason not be of significant help to our MLS players until maybe a month or so INTO the regular MLS season... Teqms usually look sluggish at the start, so being in preseason does not necessarily make me fully confident our MLS conmtingent will be truly ready for such a tough match.... Hopefully as babytiger implies there will be a far larger Euro contingent that picks up the slack for this game... And in this scenario, travel issues (rest and adaptation) would be a major concern

 

Ok, the bottom line is that our MLSers on the Nats aren't going to be in that great of shape, and having Mexico as an away opponent that early isn't a positive thing. I'm not saying we can't make the best of it though! Beat T&T on their islands, and tie Mexico at Azteca - the achievable and ideal results for games one and two.

 

How about:

Keller; Vanney/Convey, Bocanegra, Berhalter, Cherundolo; Beasley, O'Brien, Donovan, Reyna; McBride, Casey.

That's an all Euro-based starting 11 (it will be by then). Of course, who the hell knows about O'Brien and whether he'll actually be healthy and match fit by then.

 

vanney/convey would get eaten alive by the mexicans.

vanney is too slow and convey's defensive skills are lacking.

not to mention the fact that O'Brien isn't likely to be fit anytime soon. not to mention reyna's troubles.

 

At the same time, it's hard to forget Arena does at time favor some players over others seemingly more capable... I can just imagine Hedjuk's crosses affected not only by his usual bad aim, but by the altitude.... I cringe just thinking about it....OTOH, i figure Arena won't play to win, but to bunker....no disrespect to our team but as a show of respect to Mexico in Azteca, or anywhere there is altitude.....in that case i'm sure in his own way of thinking he would put a Heydude out there....

 

There are too many intangibles to call this game now, but one thing that I think will be absolutely critical is Mexico's result at CR in the prior match date. A Mexico loss at CR, which is not likely in my opinion, but very possible, would put Mexico in virtually a no-win situation against the US. I am a longtime fan of the Mexican squad, but one thing they have consistently done in the last 10 years or so is quit on coaches who are on the hot seat. That they have played as hard as they have recently under Lavolpe is certainly an exception to that, due in part I think to the fact that Lavolpe has expanded the player pool as much as he has.

However, if Mexico comes into the US match having lost at CR, I think the US may win by multiple goals, and kickstart the Hugo Sanchez era.

 

Vanney is too slow. However, Convey performed excellently against Mexico in the game in Texas. Unfortunately, his development has crashed since then and I doubt whether he can contribute.

The basic point is solid -- the US has not always looked good in games at this time of the year due to rust and as many Euros as possible would be good. But I think you need either Gibbs or Pope in central defense and someone in place of Casey, as he and McBride are an awful combination. But if you can get 7-8 Euros in there, it will help at this stage.

 

Last time round i didnt place any bets because that was indeed Mexico at its worst.. We were being coached by "He whos name must not be spoken" and my beloved Triclor was being embarrased in every friendly and tourney they participated in. In their Hex match against the US Nads i was suprised to see Arena come out with such a pussified defensive tactic. It was the big balls of Mathis, Wolf and Co that won that match as they werent afraid to take it to the Giants of Concacaf..

This time i have a bet going against everyones favorite Nutmeg.. he has placed his avatar and sig on line as well as writing a lenghty post as to why el Tricolor is the superior of both footy nations if Mexico wins the home and home Hex bout, which is a given..

 

arena has a number of options this time around unlike the past hex...

onyewu and bocanegra could be the central defense, although mastroeni might find himself there in place of onyewu...

hejduk and convey are possibilities at outside back....

reyna and zavagnen...beasley and donovan..

mcrbride and eddie johnson....

my early guesses!@!

 

Yea I Hope That Happens, BIG CELEBRATION FOR ALL U.S. Fans!!!!, make all Mexicans cry that day when U.S. wins in Mexico

 

Oguchi and Gibbs might develop enough to overtake Pope by 2006. But I don't care how much Pope's game may have slipped (and I personally disagree that it has), I don't want Oguchi or Gibbs starting as a central defender in a World Cup Qualifier in Mexico. I'll take the guy who has been through the wars over the years every time.