Tuesday's Column & U.S. Women Win
The opening round of World Cup qualifying last weekend prompted me to take a look at the differences between the U.S. and Mexico given the disparate results the two nations achieved.
Read my weekly column here.
The U.S. Women's National Team, playing overnight in South Korea, notched its second successive victory at the Peace Cup with a 1-0 win over Brazil. USC striker Amy Rodriguez scored the winner just before half time. It was the first game between the two nations since the U.S. lost to Brazil 4-0 at last year's World Cup.
Next up for the U.S. in its final group game in the tournamant: Italy.
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About 100 Percent Soccer
Sportswriter Nick Green has written the 100 Percent Soccer column since 2005. The blog of the same name began in 2007. A native of England, he began writing about soccer in the mid-1980s and in 2000 permanently exchanged a seat in the stands for one in the press box. He lives six miles from Carson's Home Depot Center, home of the Los Angeles Galaxy, Chivas USA and the training headquarters for U.S. Soccer and is married to a long-suffering soccer widow. Join Nick on FaceBook.
Nick, very interesting column. Thank you. I agree with most of what you said. However, I must disagree with this statement:
"Many of Mexico's best players are not regularly exposed to other styles of soccer by playing overseas (although that's gradually changing), an insularity that leaves them ill-prepared for foreign opponents, despite their undoubted technical proficiency."
Yes, Chucho Ramirez showed that he was way in over his head as interim coach. The team liked any creativity, strategy, or offense. The team assembled now consists mostly of Mexican League players. I think if the U.S. Team was made up of mostly MLS players, there is a possibility for similar results.
There are various Mexican players that were not called or did not play for Mexico this time around. With respect to Mexican players in Europe, things are changing a bit, albeit at a very slow place. Pavel Pardo and Ricardo Osorio both start for Stuttgart in the Bundesliga, which they won in 2007. Rafa Marquez starts for Barcelona, and young Giovanni Dos Santos is a sub for Lionel Messi. Carlos Salcido starts on PSV in Holland, which won the league in 2007. Nerry Castillo plays for Manchester City. Carlos Vela will play for Arsenal this year. When all these players show up to play, the Mexican team changes.
The Mexican team definitely took major steps backward when Hugo Sanchez was named coach. He was an arrogant jerk who refused to call most of the players that had played under the former coach Lavolpe. Lavolpe, by the way, did a decent job in the 2006 World Cup where Mexico lost to Argentina on a great goal by Maxi Rodriguez. Hugo Sanchez did some real damage to the team in my view. Now, the team has no real veterans and lacks leadership at all levels, coaches, players, and Board of Directors. There is now a culture of entitlement among the players who believe that all they have to do is put on the green shirt and they will win games. For the most part, there is no hunger to play well or win games right now. Sven has got his work cut out for him.
What also hurts Mexico really bad, in my opinion, is the teams that they play in friendlies. While the USA recently played Poland, England, Spain and Argentina (all great opponents), while Mexico played Guatemala, USA, Ghana, China, Argentina and Peru. It has been said that the Mexican team always dances to the song that is played for them (i.e., plays to the level of their oponents). I think that is very true. Play better teams and you yourself get better.
Finally, what you said about Borghetti is also true about Landon Donovan. Both are the top goal-scorers for their respective countries, and both failed in the EPL for various reasons.
Nick replies: Well, Donovan actually player in Germany, but your point is taken.