The pregame comment of Hugo Sanchez regarding his team being measured against Brazil and Argentina got me to thinking. I finally have had time to investigate and have found that, historically speaking, Mexico's idea that they should be measured against the world's great soccer nations is nonsense. Using the only competition that really matters in this type of discussion - the World Cup - it doesn't take long to put them in their rightful place as a B or even C rate soccer nation. Here's how they've fared against the worlds best (actual champions) on the biggest stage: Brazil - 0-3 Argentina - 0-2 Italy - 2 draws Germany 0-2 France 0-2-1 Uruaguay 1 draw If you take a look at teams consistantly snooping around the top 4 (a list that does not include our Mexican friends), it's hardly better: Netherlands - 0-1 Poland - 0-1 Czechoslavakia/rep - 1-0 Spain - 0-1 Portugal - 0-1 When one looks at the number of WC mexico has participated in - 13 - and compare that to the number of times they've reach the quaterfinals it tallies a grand total of twice; with each time being when the WC was held, yes you guessed right, in Mexico. And the first time there was no round of 16 so making it out of group play was enough for the quarter finals. The Mexicans have a nearly 80 year history of consistant focus on the game of soccer. The US (since placing 3rd in the 1st WC and beating England in 1950 - 2 things Mexico has never accomplished) lost it's soccer focus. Since it's return to the sporting radar 20 years ago we have already equalled the level of WC success Mexico has in the past 80. Including 1990 we have qualified for exactly the same number of WCs, we've managed to beat one of the previously mentioned 2nd tier teams (Portugal), tie Italy and, most glaringly, we have made the quarter finals in a tournament not held in our own country - by beating none other than Mexico in the round of 16. I think it's time for Mexico to face the facts. They are no closer to the top of the soccer world that the United States. I'm interested to hear what other people think of this analysis.
Maybe you should catch up on your reaserching skill cuz Mexico beat Bulgaria in the round of 16 2-0 and advanced to the quarters in 1970 Mexico also tied Holland in WC98 I happend to think Mexico is not an elite footballing nation but we are defenetly up there in the second tear. While World cups are the main thing you also have to considered other FIFA tourneys. If you're going to make a special mention of the US victory over England you should also be fair and make one for Mexicos 3-1 victoty ove one of the best teams of the world Chechoslovakia And dont forget we were seeded in 06 and very well deserved.
94 Mexico came in first place in the group of death Mexico Italy Norway Rep. Ireland 98 Came in second do to goal diff. Holland Mexico Bulgaria South Korea 02 Mexico came in first place in the World cups second toughest group undefeted. Mexico Italia Croatia Ecuador 06 Mexico comes in secod place with one loss Portugal Mexico Iran Angola Since 94 Mexico has advanced to the second round every single time. The only countries that can claim the same feat is German, Brazil, and Italy. Since 94 Mexico has received a lot of respect from the soccer world because of our WC record. Mexico might not be first tear but we are up there
Can you say Obsessed ? It also does not help when you try to belittle everything Mexico does since many of you agree that the US is on par with Mexico.
Totally agree with futgod. Not to mention other two facts: 1. Mexico has won the Confederations Cup, the second most important FIFA tournament after the WC. It did so after beating no less than Brazil. Mexico is the only country in the CONCACAF area to have won an official FIFA tournament. 2. After being invited for the first time in 1993, Mexico has reached twice the final of Copa América, by far the most important tournament in the Americas. Now, regarding Hugo words, he never said he thought Mexico was at the level of Brazil or Argentina. In fact, he has consistently lamented Mexico's inability to export to Europe as much players as these countries do. And he has argued that this is the reason why Mexico lags behind. He has said, however, that he intends to put Mexico in that league, something that any head coach would want to do. Whether he will be able to do so or not is an entirely different matter.
no matter what our feelings to Mexico, they ain't a C nation. And this thread is going to be shut or ignored. no middle ground on this one.
C class team or not the results show that while they have not always had the easiest group in the world club they havent had the toughest. Name a top team they beat in the world cup in the last 20 years please to shut me up and when you do that also remember to remind me if that game was a home game or not because they seem to think the US has a monster home field advantage.
Take a look to the last 20 years performance of Mexico and the US in world cups: The US has played the 5 WC's since 1990 with a record of 3-3-11 Mexico was sanctioned by FIFA and couldn't play the 1990 WC, so it has only 4 WC's with a record of 5-6-4. Note that having played less games Mexico still has 2 more WC victories. If you add to this what I mentioned before about Mexico having won the Confed Cup, and Mexico's two Copa América finals, it is clear that Mexico fares better in international tournaments so I really don't know where you want to drive the discussion. In fact I think you should be the first to appreciate all this. It just gives more value to every victory of the US over Mexico.
I think Copa America should be included in your formula. There is some very high level of play there.
Why on earth take all this trouble to prove anything about a so-called "C soccer nation"? Doesn't that in itself -at the very least- give you a clue that you are contradicting yourself? But then again, you are a newbie; and then again, I forgot I'm in a US forum.
hey buddy that was an Argentina that was destroying the competition and who took extra time to beat mexico...how many points did you get same WC....uhmmm is it 1? now that thruth would hurt more.
LOL, at fans talking about others performances when you guys managed 1 point and struggled through your whole tournament. Oh but I forgot it was against Italy.
Why is it that when we post on the Mexico messageboards our posts are deleted and we are carded and chastised? MODS please get these Mexican fans off our boards!
Wow, maybe you should get your info right before you make an ass out of yourself. Spain was seeded and lost in the round of 16 also. No matter what US fans say Mexico has performed better in international tourneys than the US.
This thread was begging for trouble in the beginning. If I remember correctly, USA only managed to get one measly point out of the group stage in the last World Cup. Drawing the eventual World Champions and being placed in the Group of Death isn't a good enough excuse. Mexico is definitely in the top few tiers in the world.
Look, I hate everything about the Mexican NT with every fiber of my being. Team, fans, coaches, everything. That being said, they are most definitely a B+/A- international side, as are the USA. The gap just keeps widening after USA/MEX in Concalaugh. This qualifying campaign will show like the old Oceana federation, with USA and MEX playing the part of Australia. I would be shocked if either team lost to anyone other than each other this time around.