Mexico vs Brazil (with US facing Mexico soon) [R]

Kind of like what happened in the WC where Mexico dominated Italy, won their group and were favored to beat us.

 

With the rather glaring problem of finishing, Mexico completely outclassed Brazil last night. Borghetti (sp) alone could have scored 2 or 3. Brazil had a couple chances, but didn't deserve even a draw.

Mexico plays like that and I agree, we are in for a very very tough match, especially considering the game is in Mexico, I mean Houston, so the crowd will be solidly pro-Tricolores.

 

AZTECA ATMOSPHERE

Although the Houston game will be a home match for the Mexican team, it is not the same as playing in Azteca Stadium. There is nothing like the atmosphere I experienced there in July of 2001. I feel that the Mexican team has more to prove in this game than the American team. In their minds they may need to beat the American team to prove to themselves that they are the best team in the region. I don't see the game as nearly that meaningful to the Americans. It will be competitive, no prediction. I look forward more to the start of qualifying next year and a return to Azteca in even stronger numbers than the 120 or so that were in the endzone area in 2001.

 

Brazil was very disinterested in the match.

I suspect severe jet lag, along with end of season weariness, and the fact the match didn't mean anything to them, affected their play.

Mexico speed and dsire controlled the match.

Brazil wasn't interested in defending at all.

mexico has targetted the match next week...

if they want revenge in a meaningless match, fine, what counts will be WCQ...

should be a war then.

 

Consistency

Mexico generally plays well in friendlies with the top teams. They often play a bit more open than they normally do and occasionally play up to the competition.

It's just a different story when Mexico and the U.S. play. From an entertainment standpoint, these games are never displays of attacking soccer, but rather become physical, hard-nosed affairs. No, the U.S. team that is picked is not exactly the best we have to offer, but I don't think that means that Mexico will cut through us that easily.

It will just be a good experience for some of the younger guys to get an "away" game under their belts.

 

Re: AZTECA ATMOSPHERE

OTOH, it could be the chance to put another nail in the coffin that is Mexico, to bury their psyches a bit deeper in the grave of doubt.

And on top of that, these two sides just don't like each other.

 

Re: Consistency

Mexico's new coach has a different style than prior coaches. He stresses speed and his teams always display an attacking style. We'll see if they do play this game differently.

 

any news on the Mexican injuries..

looked like Pardo hurt his knee, and the number 7 went down like he was shot, and had ice on his achilles in the 2nd half...

mexico needs the speed to address the USA speed edge...

Isn't the new mexican coach from argentina..>??

imagine himpuffing away that much in a meaningless friendly..

when the pressure of wcq is there, they better keep a defribulator near him.

 

Re: Consistency

not the best in terms of european experience, but definitely the most experienced MLS side we ever fielded. i'm surprised not to see wolf selected though as he is the Tri-killer.

 

Give Mexico the competitive edge in every noncompetitive match until the next World Cup. It might be good to win the Gold Cup the next few times; but being the first North American side to win a World Cup is more desirable. Arena should build his team with the World Cup in mind. Use Mexico as the standard for regional competition and experience; but don't get too obsessed with results. Concentrate more on individual/team performance. Build the team to peak for Confed Cup, Gold Cup(s) and in World Cup. That way beating Mexico when it counts will be all the sweeter.

 

My mistake, It sure looked and sounded wild (like Azteca) from watching it on TV.

 

Oh yeah!!!

I would enjoy that.

 

Lavolpe (sp.?) is Argentinian...but he's been in Mexico for so long, he's basically an honourary Mexican.

I, too, thought the game was in Azteca...i thought i saw the "star" that hangs from the top and normally casts its shadow on the field during the day.

 

The game was originally slated to be in Mexico City, but CONCACAF mandated that it not be played there since the Gold Cup is near and they feared that with the possibility of a second matchup between the two teams in the same stadium, ticket sales wouldn't be what they would like.

Lavolpe is Argentinean, and I believe is a naturalized Mexican citizen. He smokes like that all the time, even when he was coaching Toluca, I think I've seen him with a smoke more often than not.

ricv56

 

my thoughts on the game

while i have to say that mexico seemed to attach most of the time, and have more possesion. they were able to limit ronaldos touches on the ball. ronaldihno (sp) was very effective.

lessons for the US, control midfield, and mark borgetti very closely. i expect mexico to attact mercilessly against the US, so ecpect mexico to attact early and try to set the tempo of the game. I really belive that Bruce will use pablo mastroeni, to help disrupt the mexican attack, and dont be surprised to see cobi jones in as a sub. his speed will help with the US attack.

the key for the US will be quick counter attacks. and i do think bruce will use a 3-5-2 formation. if the US can control the midfield, they have a chance.

mexico was dangerous against a disorganized brasilian defense, i expect Bruce is going to set up a tight and compact defense, and pressure mexico early.

i think this could be a great game. i know bruce is a great coach, and i am sure he looked at the brasil-mexico game.

i am sure mexico will also use the same strategy against the US they used against brasil.

any comments or ideas? i would love to hear especially from coaches.

sincerely,
iowa007

 

implications and lessons for USMNT from the MX-BR game

these are my observations from the brasil - mexico game.

while i have to say that mexico seemed to attach most of the time, and have more possesion. they were able to limit ronaldos touches on the ball. ronaldihno (sp) was very effective.

lessons for the US, control midfield, and mark borgetti very closely. i expect mexico to attact mercilessly against the US, so expect mexico to attact early and try to set the tempo of the game. I really belive that Bruce will use pablo mastroeni, to help disrupt the mexican attack, and dont be surprised to see cobi jones in as a sub. his speed will help with the US attack and disrupt mexicos attacts.

the key for the US will be quick counter attacks. and i do think bruce will use a 3-5-2 formation. if the US can control the midfield, they have a chance.

mexico was dangerous against a disorganized brasilian defense, i expect Bruce is going to set up a tight and compact defense, and pressure mexico early.

i think this could be a great game. i know bruce is a great coach, and i am sure he looked at the brasil-mexico game.

i am sure mexico will also use the same strategy against the US they used against brasil.

any comments or ideas? i would love to hear especially from coaches.

sincerely,
iowa007

 

has anybody tried to play any kind of intensly physical sport while jet lagged?

 

Re: implications and lessons for USMNT from the MX-BR game

Why coaches? Only good soccer minds are coaches? I've coached a couple of years of U13's, so I'll chime in.

Basically, to beat Mexico we have to do what we've always done to them.

1. As you said, mark Borghetti out of the match. That should be on Pope's shoulders.

2. Play down to their level. By that I dont mean skill, I mean play dirty. Piss them off, make them bleed, get under their skin, and they fall apart right in front of us. Let them control the ball, let them think the game is theres, and pick away slowly at them. Strike when we get our chances, make them count. The last four goals we've scored in serious competition have been the opportunistic counter attack goals. Seems like it works to me.

 

Tried, sure, but no one's going to be jet lagged for this match. After all, no one is coming from Europe for this match, right? All the Americans are MLS based, and the Mexicans are in the same time zones as well. Are there any European based players that have headed back to Europe in between these matches? Seems unlikely.

G.

 

The game was in Estadio Jalisco. That's the home of the xenophobic team, Chivas de Guadalajara.

 

Re: my thoughts on the game

the US never controls the midfield against Mexico. Let's be realistic-they are a better possession team than us. We will play compact, tight defense, then try to break out on the counter. It is a good strategy that matches our speed and organized defense. We will never win the possession war with El Tri. Let them win the possession and we will try to win the game.

 

was it on TV? which channel? damn i missed that

 

Re: Re: my thoughts on the game

i'm more concern about watching a beautiful game than about winning or losing, so there should be a 50/50 possesion in order for the game to meet my taste