I am all for making a buck or two. But I can't let the thirst for the might dollar compromise the growth of the national team. I have no issue with scheduling in the US, but every game in the US? Mexico plays 6-8 friendlies a year, almost all of the Stateside. You wanna toughen 'em up? Play half outside the comfort zone: Europe, SA. Of the 3-4 home games, only play one in the US, but then spread it out in Mexico. Play one in Monterrey, Guadalajara, Torreon, Aguascalientes, Puebla, Mexico City, but not the Azteca. Save that one for the games that count. So play'em at CU. The other thing Mexico needs to do is to use a friggin charter service to brings the boys from europe over. Making them fly commercial is a disgrace. Don't tell me they don't have the scratch to do it. That way they all arrive at the same time, better rested, available for all practices. It can leave from Paris.
2007 Friendlies US in Phoenix Venezuela in San Diego Paraguay in Monterrey Ecuador in Oakland Iran in San Luis Potosi Paraguay in el DF Colombia in Denver Panama in Puebla Brazil in Boston Nigeria in Ciudad Juarez Guatemala in Los Angeles 11 friendlies in 2007. 6 in the states and 5 in Mexico. The game in San Diego was basically like playing in TJ. The Brazil game in Boston was an away game.
so he was a little off on his numbers, big deal. the man makes a good point. we can all agree that it would be nice to see el tri play in europe (or other continents for that matter) more
Please note that we haven't played one legitimate tough European opponent. Actually I think we didn't play any European team at all. Other than Nigeria and Brazil, quite frankly, our friendlies look more like freak shows. See Mexico play against untamed bears... evil zombies... movie monsters... We desperately need a European tour.
seeing as how England won't be doing anything worthwhile this summer *cough* Euro Cup*cough*, it would be great to set up a friendly against them
I too like the idea of the NT going on a European tour, but how and when is that feasible? I know the cynics out there say, "well, the US plays in Europe". That may be the case, but the US also uses alot of their domestic based players and MLS is inactive for 5-6 months. Our league calender is active 10 months out of the year. This summer would be ideal since we are not participating in a Gold Cup or Copa America. The Euro Cup will be played and many FAs will be looking to to schedule matches. The key match dates are May 21 and June 7. The 21st of May is when the Champion League ends and June 7th is the day the Euro Cup starts. Usually, teams like to schedule games against teams that are similar to an opponent that will face in the group stages.
http://www.mediotiempo.com/noticia.php?id_noticia=52050 FMF General Secretary said that Mexico will play 12 matches this year. I've heard that we will play Portugal, Spain, and China.... but against who else and when are we going to play the remaining 8 matches?
They should play away more. Oh and 1 game in the US per year would be more than enough. They play so much there, it's annoying.
I appreciate Panfilo's assertion that Mexico, in fact, did play a good number of games in Mexico. But I think we can all agree that 2007 was a scheduling anomaly. I do hope it continues, though. I personally think it has to do with Hugo Sanchez demanding more games in Mexico. I could be wrong, though. I think Mexico's 12 games will be made up of the two games vs. Belize, and then the 6 qualifiers from the CONCACAF semis. That is 8. Mexico has a game with Portugal, and China. They are looking to add 2 more games in June, and the rumor John Sutcliffe reported was a date with England in Chicago.
I thought I was going crazy. I was convinced I had heard/read this somewhere, to the point where I was figuring out how to go to the game, but then I couldn't find info anywhere. I thought I saw this on the official site and not from Sutcliffe, but the femexfut calendar has "?" for June 4 and 10, so I could be wrong.
I couldn't agree more. fuk playing every game in the U.S. agaisnt these yankee mari*cones. Half of which are fixed anyway to help promote soccer in the U.S. Who are these fuk heads agreeing to play every game in the U.S to our detriment and how can they be replaced?
ya i agree, maybe play just one friendly in the U.S. but wouldn't we have to play our Concacaf WC qualifiers in a neutral place like in the U.S.? We should play some friendlies in Central and South America. I hope that friendly against England takes place because anyone living in Chicago would want that to happen as well.
I heard from somewhere that El tri and US will play each other every february. It will be an annual thing. I wouldn't mind that. I think this will be the last time we play them this year..
Personally, the location is not so much the problem, although I am desperately waiting for the day Mexico decides to play out of North America on an ocassion or 2 (preferably in Europe), the problem is the opponents. Every friendly we play are against the same countries we play consistantly or teams that are noticeably inferior to us, which ultimately don't benefit us either. We need to start playing more European or even African teams (not in a place Mexico will be home), it's the only way were going to be able to contend with the best teams. We have to learn how to play any team, anywhere and be successful which frankly we haven't proved we can do yet. Just my 2 cents
The thing is that the Mexican Federation has to play at least 6 games in the U.S. every year to satisty the contract with the promoter.(Well, nevermind, I don't know how many games exactly, but I think it's 6). I hate it as much as the next guy, but that's the way it's going to be for a while. Look on the bright side, we get to go to games most of us probably wouldn't attend other wise and the players get to go shopping (joking on this one). Also the money being invested back into the Mexican Futbol has payed dividens for both the national team and clubs. Still, I would rather if they played more games in Mexico and Europe.
Actually 2-3 years ago, I would have said that playing in Europe couldnt happen. The core of our first team plays in Europe now so I think its definitely a possibility. I think it comes down to marketability now, since its natural for the federations of both countries to want to make a buck or 2. Brazil has that and can afford to play whoever, wherever they want in Europe. Same for Argentina. No one wants to see USA play so they get stuck playing crappy Euro teams. I think soon, Mexico will have that marketability. Europeans will want to see Gio, Vela, Guardado, Rafa, Nery and Memo
Yeah, I'm assuming since they'll probably face each other twice in WC qualifiers, that they'll hold off on the friendlies. But money talks ...
I would like Mexico to go down to Colombia and play them at El Campin. It'd be a great atmosphere and that way I can go visit my cousins and catch a great game. I'd love to go there wearing my Mexico jersey while my cousins all rock their colombian jerseys. They still give me shit over the Copa America Final a few years ago.
More games against tougher opponents would be great. Its what our team really needs to improve. We are too comfortable playing teams at home or close to it. Lets play in Europe or Asia or even Australia. We just need to really work hard and become a great team and not just when the WC comes around like we always do.
I don't care who we play.. I just think we should be playing.. China in APRIL !!! thats it!! Even if it's central american teams.. As long as we play.. I think it would be great to see Mexico Vs Costa Rica in CR.. I'll go to that game..