Mexico at World Cup 2014

jgprime

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Let's discuss El Tri in this thread!

So I thought Mexico have a good chance at going through. A lot of it depends on whether the side can gain some confidence before the Croatia match (which will be the real test if we want to go through). If we beat Cameroon we could work some confidence and perhaps sort out a draw with Brazil, and hopefully show up against Croatia (sorry Croatia fans :P)

Of course, the current manager Miguel "El Piojo" Herrera has only had the job for little over 6 months and ended up calling only 4 Club América players to the final list (not counting Medina nor Oribe Peralta), making space for many players from the European clubs. Herrera hasn't worked much with any of the "European" players except Reyes, so us followers of El Tri can only hope these players adapt quickly to El Piojo's system (a 5-3-2 formation with winger backs as the main source of attack and having the 10 outfield players defend as one unit when possesion is lost).

Players to look out for:
Javier Hernández: Manchester United's own Javier Hernández, who I believe will bounce back from the tough season at Old Trafford & will become Mexico's overall 2nd highest goal-scorer this tournament.)

Raúl Jiménez: The young América striker whose game has come up leaps & bounds after the Olympics. You might remember his over-head kick against Panama in the World Cup qualifiers. The lad is also an accomplished penalty-taker.

Diego Reyes: The former América, current Porto centre-back and the youngest player in Mexico's squad. Good on the ball and suited to Herrera's CB system. His performances in London 2012, his thriving under Herrera while at América and his tenure at Porto B has earnt him a place in Porto's starting 11 and in El Tri.

Héctor Herrera: The former Pachuca man was linked to Manchester United this past summer before making the move to Porto were he has also become a starter for Porto. An energetic box-to-box midfielder who is also known for storming the opposition's half when given the chance.
 
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Another lucky draw for Mexico. Luckily qualify and get a fairly good draw. Brazil will spank them but the other two, Croatia and Cameroon, are winnable games, though I highly doubt Mexico is getting past the group stages. The Mexicants will need to win that opening match, IMO, or things could go bad quickly. Croatia will likely need a point or more going into the last matchday, as will Mexico unless they stink up the place against Cameroon.
 
Piojo already has the plan. the 1st game is the most important vs cameroon. a win there and then Mexico will look for the win/draw vs brazil, which is very doable even Pele knows Mexico is there biggest threat. then with those 4 points Mexico is basically through to the next round and then the final game vs croatia will be to see if Mexico can finish 1st, very unlikely or pass onto next round as 2nd.
 
Official List & Kit #'s

1. Guillermo Ochoa / america / GK

2. Francisco Rodríguez "Maza" / no team / DF

3. Carlos Salcido/ Chivas / DF

4. Rafael Márquez / Leon / DF

5. José Juan Vázquez "El Gallito" / Leon / MD

6. Héctor Herrera / Porto / MD

7. Miguel Layún / america / DF

8. Marco Fabián / cruz azul / ST

9. Raúl Jiménez / america / ST

10. Giovani dos Santos / Villareal / ST

11. Alan Pulido / Tigres / ST

12. Jesús Corona / cruz azul / GK

13. Diego Reyes / Porto / DF

14. Javier Hernández "Chicharito" / Manchester United / ST

15. Héctor Moreno / Espanyol / DF

16. Miguel Ponce / Toluca / DF

17. Carlos Peña "El Gullit" / Leon / MD

18. Andrés Guardado / Bayer Leverkusen / DF

19. Oribe Peralta " Cepillo or Hermoso" / america / ST

20. Luis Montes "Chapo" / Leon / MD

21. Isaac Brizuela "Conejo" / Toluca /MD

22. Paul Aguilar / america / DF

23. Alfredo Talavera / Toluca / GK
 
Nanook said:
Unbelievable that Vela isn't going, probably their best player.
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he declined. he told Piojo football is not his passion, only a job that he is good at and gets paid for.

although most say, there are bigger reason behind his decision to decline.

more than likely Vela will never be called up for Mexico again.
 
Back in 2006, I tipped them to be a bit of a dark horse in this tournament but they have not progressed the way I thought they would. Still capabale of an upset but not expecting much.
 
I don't think this is going to be a regular WC for Mexico. (Decent performance in the group stage and then get knocked out by showing a good display)

2 most probable scenarios for me, they get beat by everyone in their group or they go through drawing/winning against brazil and beating spain/holland in the 1st knockout round.

imo the starting XI using Piojo's 5-3-2 would be:

Ochoa
Aguilar Reyes Marquez Moreno Layun
Herrera
Peña Montes
Dos Santos Peralta​
 
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Herrera is a good coach.

I cant judge him on 2 games.. i wanna see the upcoming friendlies (4) since they are really the only practice he will have with the team.

Hector Herrera and Diego Reyes have grown a lot.. If they can get Marco Fabian to play a bit better than he was this season i think they can match past mexican teams. I'm just not 100% sold on montes; i cant say i've been impressed with his national team play, but his club play is pretty darn good.

Players to watch i'd say chicharito is probably not starter material, the worst at his position AT THE MOMENT (key phrase)...

Carlos Peña is a damn good player too who could make a jump to a european team (and would benefit a lot from it).
 
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As far as Vela is concerned, that prima donna should renounce his Mexican citizenship. This douche starts speaking with a ridiculous Spanish accent not even a few months after moving to Spain.
 
one340 said:
As far as Vela is concerned, that prima donna should renounce his Mexican citizenship. This douche starts speaking with a ridiculous Spanish accent not even a few months after moving to Spain.
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while i agree with his accent, lets not forget he went there at a young age and has spent most of his pro career in spain.. but i dont like it either.

Also - he wasnt exactly treated well by the federation; as a mexican i wish he was in the team.. but sometimes u gotta have the nuts to say screw you. Trust me, i like Vela more than the people who run the federation.
 
margarito86 said:
while i agree with his accent, lets not forget he went there at a young age and has spent most of his pro career in spain.. but i dont like it either.

Also - he wasnt exactly treated well by the federation; as a mexican i wish he was in the team.. but sometimes u gotta have the nuts to say screw you. Trust me, i like Vela more than the people who run the federation.
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Vela didn't bail out because of people running the federation and what-not, yes that is a factor but overall I'd say the main reason is he just doesn't care. He's always been oh-so-comfortable at Real Sociedad and as many people can tell he has a small-club mentality. He had the talent to get in the Arsenal XI but alas his poor professionalism & mentality prevented him from ever becoming something at Arsenal. Boggles the mind.

That said he can probably turn it around in the coming years if he goes back to the Arse or at least moves on to a bigger side.
 
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jgprime said:
Vela didn't bail out because of people running the federation and what-not, yes that is a factor but overall I'd say the main reason is he just doesn't care. He's always been oh-so-comfortable at Real Sociedad and as many people can tell he has a small-club mentality. He had the talent to get in the Arsenal XI but alas his poor professionalism & mentality prevented him from ever becoming something at Arsenal. Boggles the mind.

That said he can probably turn it around in the coming years if he goes back to the Arse or at least moves on to a bigger side.
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Not sure he always had a small club mentality.

His run at arsenal wasnt exactly a "run". He had no consistency; he found some at real sociedad and has made the best of it.

Also - his beed isnt only with the federation, it's also with the media. Just look at how people "feel" about vela and they don't even know the facts. He is considered a traitor... but chicharito is seen as a hero almost? Chicharito declined to participate in the olympic team and no one remembers that. Vela strikes me as a guy that doesnt forget; just reading the stories of how Chivas treated him after he intended to sign for Arsenal make me cringe. I can't blame him for having pride.
 
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Do y'all think they're going to get up to firing on all cylinders in the short time between de la Torre's reign and the World Cup? How far off do you think they are from playing up to their potential?
 
Distracted Steward said:
Do y'all think they're going to get up to firing on all cylinders in the short time between de la Torre's reign and the World Cup? How far off do you think they are from playing up to their potential?
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To be honest - i think it might be too late from a tactical stand point

There is an outside chance that the 4 games will suffiencent enough to get the team organized, but the real test is mentally. I think they can make it out the group if herrera gets the line up right.

He plays with 5 in the back, there is no reason why Moreno or Reyes shouldnt take the "free man" or 'sweeper' role over marquez. Marquez has good positioning and can still add some really good play, but he is too slow to be the free man. For some reason Herrera has been giving him that role.

Couple things - i think if mexico players good enough, people will be pleasantly suprised by the wing defenders. Both Layun and Aguilar have had a great run in the past year and a half or so. they also have very good work rates up and down the wings.

As this point the goalie position is up for grabs.. I'm not sure why as Ochoa is the more consistent and experienced keeper, but he has always been shafted in the national team so i wouldnt be surprised if it happened again.. personally id like to see ochoa or talavera start.

The midfield has suprisingly turned out better offensively than in the past. Carlos Pena has been a revelation in the past year, marco fabian is starting to pick it up a bit too, and Herrera could be interesting off the bench.

Up front it should be peralta with gio dos santos right behind him - no questions asked. Chicharito is last in the pecking order for me (starter wise), but could offer something off the bench (much like he does for united).. his form is just not there.. Jimenez and Pulido had good runs this past season.
 
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margarito86 said:
To be honest - i think it might be too late from a tactical stand point

There is an outside chance that the 4 games will suffiencent enough to get the team organized, but the real test is mentally. I think they can make it out the group if herrera gets the line up right.

He plays with 5 in the back, there is no reason why Moreno or Reyes shouldnt take the "free man" or 'sweeper' role over marquez. Marquez has good positioning and can still add some really good play, but he is too slow to be the free man. For some reason Herrera has been giving him that role.

Couple things - i think if mexico players good enough, people will be pleasantly suprised by the wing defenders. Both Layun and Aguilar have had a great run in the past year and a half or so. they also have very good work rates up and down the wings.

As this point the goalie position is up for grabs.. I'm not sure why as Ochoa is the more consistent and experienced keeper, but he has always been shafted in the national team so i wouldnt be surprised if it happened again.. personally id like to see ochoa or talavera start.

The midfield has suprisingly turned out better offensively than in the past. Carlos Pena has been a revelation in the past year, marco fabian is starting to pick it up a bit too, and Herrera could be interesting off the bench.

Up front it should be peralta with gio dos santos right behind him - no questions asked. Chicharito is last in the pecking order for me (starter wise), but could offer something off the bench (much like he does for united).. his form is just not there.. Jimenez and Pulido had good runs this past season.
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Do you think they will rekindle that verve and interplay we are used to see with El Tri working triangles and going for the throat when on the attack?

If they get back to that, Hernandez would be first choice for me.

I think you are right about people set to be surprised by Mexico's wide play. They raid in and overwhelm defenses. On the other end, when they press well Mexico looks much, much more dangerous.

There is a certain mentality I've long seen in Mexico. It is crazy thr extent to which it affects their play. I see it coming back, but it still might be fragile.
 
Distracted Steward said:
Do you think they will rekindle that verve and interplay we are used to see with El Tri working triangles and going for the throat when on the attack?

If they get back to that, Hernandez would be first choice for me.

I think you are right about people set to be surprised by Mexico's wide play. They raid in and overwhelm defenses. On the other end, when they press well Mexico looks much, much more dangerous.

There is a certain mentality I've long seen in Mexico. It is crazy thr extent to which it affects their play. I see it coming back, but it still might be fragile.
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Chicharito was in great form in 2011.. but he strikes me as a player that needs a lot of play time to hit his stride - and its something thats just not viable right now. Peralta can creat space and his own shot, Herrera's system just doesnt work with 2 strikers.. ALTHOUGH, he has shown the ability to adjust quite well.

It's going to be hit or miss for mexico i think. I have a feeling that if they do make it out of group stage its because they were quality and can probably stun in the round of 16.. if they dont, they probably got 1 pt and it was off of cameroon.. hah.

I'd keep an eye on the bosnia/ecuador games. I think the players have 1-2 "lets go all out games" and will probably take part of that portugal game off as it is the game right before the world cup.. todays game vs israel probably wont be telling.. but bosnia and ecuador will give the players enough time to try and earn a spot, while having time to rest. I'm as intrigued as you are.
 
MrMarcello said:
Another lucky draw for Mexico. Luckily qualify and get a fairly good draw. Brazil will spank them but the other two, Croatia and Cameroon, are winnable games, though I highly doubt Mexico is getting past the group stages. The Mexicants will need to win that opening match, IMO, or things could go bad quickly. Croatia will likely need a point or more going into the last matchday, as will Mexico unless they stink up the place against Cameroon.
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Sir Matt said:
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US fans are allowed to troll in here?
 
jgprime said:
Vela didn't bail out because of people running the federation and what-not, yes that is a factor but overall I'd say the main reason is he just doesn't care. He's always been oh-so-comfortable at Real Sociedad and as many people can tell he has a small-club mentality. He had the talent to get in the Arsenal XI but alas his poor professionalism & mentality prevented him from ever becoming something at Arsenal. Boggles the mind.

That said he can probably turn it around in the coming years if he goes back to the Arse or at least moves on to a bigger side.
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I agree, Piojo said in an interview recently that Vela told him the federation had nothing to do with his decision, he simply doesn't feel like playing in the World Cup or playing for El Tri at all. Carlos Vela sees football as a job and nothing more, he's just not passionate enough to go the extra mile and play for the NT.
 
What about Chicharito? said:
I agree, Piojo said in an interview recently that Vela told him the federation had nothing to do with his decision, he simply doesn't feel like playing in the World Cup or playing for El Tri at all. Carlos Vela sees football as a job and nothing more, he's just not passionate enough to go the extra mile and play for the NT.
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If we are talkin about the same interview, he cited "personal reasons". This means his reasons for going were going to be undisclosed. He said that he will always be mexican and will wish them well.. i dont recall him explicitly stating "its not because of this reason.."

As far as football goes, he also mentioned its not his life passion, and it is more of a job to him. This is fair enough.. I'm sure plenty of players going to the world cup see football as their job. Again - i think he is being demonized by the media..

You can tell the guy is confused. Uploading pictures of himself and jonatan dos santos with mexico shirts on twitter.. saying several times that he hasnt "shut the door". You have to think about it, he is missing out on a lot of cash for just not "feeling like it". My gut says there is some beef with the federation.
 
one340 said:
As far as Vela is concerned, that prima donna should renounce his Mexican citizenship. This douche starts speaking with a ridiculous Spanish accent not even a few months after moving to Spain.
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He's been there most of the time since 2007. I remember him ripping the spanish second division apart when he was 17. Things didn't work too well after that, but he's found great consitency. It's just too bad he doesn't play for Mexico. Just imagine Dos Santos and Vela together again.
 
Eila said:
He's been there most of the time since 2007. I remember him ripping the spanish second division apart when he was 17. Things didn't work too well after that, but he's found great consitency. It's just too bad he doesn't play for Mexico. Just imagine Dos Santos and Vela together again.
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This world cup was supposed to be mexico's golden generation.

Gio and Vela are in good form.. imagine 2011 chicharito with these two. You'd be talking about a pretty darn good offense.

Things dont always pan out though. No real super stars in the horizon either.. but that's never been mexico's forte. Probably a couple of those Pachuca and Chivas youngsters will pan out. Jurgen Damm in particular looks to have matured a lot for a 20 year old.
 
well that was a waste of time and game. just another pointless match for the mexican federation to fill up their pockets. at least Mexico won 3 - 0.
probably won't be seeing the real team until the friendly vs portugal in boston.

also game showed maza can not be a starter or even a substitute. the defense needs to be Marquez, Moreno, Reyes or Salcido with the untouchables of Layun and Aguilar.

Goals were by Layun 2x and Fabian
 
Yea i think the first half vs portugal will be the "starters".

Wouldnt be surprised if he used the starts vs ecuador either.
 
Sammyjunn said:
Do you guys remember 2010 WC, basically every Man United fan was scouting Chicharito! Good old times!
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HAHA

i remember that. I was already in redcafe.. i think i had joined the summer before the winter that chicharito joined.

It was great seeing everyone be like omg whos this lad?!!?!? then he scored the goal vs france everyone was like oh man good composure.. then he scored the goal vs argentina everyone was LIKE OMG DROOL LOL
 
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