Mexican Soccer Still Struggles Despite USA Miracle
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Fans of El Tri have expressed rare, but sincere thanks to the American footballers. (Wikimedia Commons)
Having said this, Mexico found themselves in a unique position through 90 minutes of the last round of CONCACAF qualifying this past Tuesday when they went down 2-1 to Costa Rica while Panama was beating the USA by the same score. The result, had it stayed that way, would have sent Panama into a playoff against New Zealand for a chance at their first World Cup qualification ever and sent Mexico home for the summer.
Yet, three minutes of stoppage time was all it took for the USMNT to completely change the dynamic of the CONCACAF. Graham Zusi, with 90 seconds remaining in the game, rocketed a header past Panamanian keeper Jaime Penedo, inadvertently saving Mexico and sending the commentators of the Mexico game into complete delirium. As Panama scrambled to push forward for the win, American Aron Johannsson netted another, the dagger for Panama, but at the same time a miracle for Mexico.
SEE MORE: 8 Nations Remain In Playoff For UEFA World Cup Qualification
Mexico finished fourth in the CONCACAF standings, winning two of the ten games they played and scoring only seven goals in the process. As El Tri is set now for a playoff against New Zealand for a spot in the biggest stage of international soccer, all we can do is sit and wonder how we got to this point.
Offensive Struggles: Normally regarded as a creative offensive team capable of getting forward and attacking consistently, Mexico hasn’t been able to continue the offensive success they’ve enjoyed in the past. In ten qualifying games, El Tri has scored only seven goals, the second worst showing of all six teams in qualification. In the past, Mexico has liked attacking the wings, pushing forward and dumping balls in the box for star Manchester United striker, Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez, to finish. Yet, Mexico has lacked the control in the midfield to possess the ball and play out wide and, in turn, hasn’t produced opportunities for Chicharito to score. Giovanni Dos Santos, Mexico’s main playmaker has only one assist, in the qualifying campaign, and goal scorer Chicharito hasn’t scored in his six appearances.
Coaching: Mexico has been unable to establish a legitimate head coach throughout the qualification process. Jose Manuel “Chepo” de la Torre began the qualification run poorly, leaving Mexico in fourth place with only three games left to be played. After guiding the national team to its first home loss in a qualifier since 2001 (2-1 loss to Honduras), Chepo was relieved of his duties. Interim head coach Luis Fernando didn’t do much better, lasting one game – a loss to the USA 2-0, one of the few losses Mexico has suffered to the USA in their World Cup qualification history. Victor Manuel Vucetich was finally deemed the man to turn Mexican World Cup hopes around, but after two losses, Vucetich is rumored to already be on his way out, to be replaced by Club America head coach Miguel Herrera.
Despite Mexico’s struggles and the long, heated rivalry that the United States has had with its southern neighbors, Landon Donovan and I agree that we want to see El Tri in the World Cup.
"At the end of the day, it's better for us and for CONCACAF if Mexico's in the World Cup," Donovan said. "We don't play thinking about how it affects Mexico, but I would still hope that they will find a way to qualify.”
It’s true, having Mexico in the Cup does make the CONCACAF look better; getting four teams into the tournament is no easy feat. Mexico is also a traditionally strong World Cup team and always seems to find a way to advance out of the group, boosting the CONCACAF’s standing. Additionally, Mexico is a fun team to watch. Admit it. If nothing else they provide Argentina a great opportunity to score some fantastic goals (exhibit A, exhibit B).
Reach Staff Writer Gabe Quintela here.
