To describe and recap once again the results of last nights World Cup Qualifier match between Mexico and Honduras would not help in any way. Just to debrief, Mexico suffered a crushing -crushing is an appropriate word to describe their justified defeat- loss 3-1 to Honduras.
After any Mexico match the best critiques always come from the analysts from ESPN Deportes’ Futbol Picante, a show that is dedicated to analyzing Mexico’s futbol league, players, and national team. After last night’s shameless performance, the analyst, headed by Jose Ramon Fernandez, dedicated their entire program to finding the right person to blame for Mexico’s loss. Rather than summarize what was said, I would like to offer my insights as a futbol player and fan myself.
The Starting Eleven
Leobardo Lopez: After his decent performance against Costa Rica, Lopez was the best, and logical, choice to start. His injury was felt after he was subbed out, bringing in Aaron Galindo. He could have utilized this game to make more of an effort to prove he does belong on this national team.
Jonny Magallon: Playing the lateral was the worst choice Eriksson could have made when playing Magallon there. He is not the best player for such a position. Diego Martinez or Edgar Castillo, whom had lost his passport this past weekend, would have been better choices. Ricardo Osorio would have also been a better choice but due to his health was unable to play.
Fausto Pinto: For someone who is that small in height, he sure plays a mean defense, better than Carlos Salcido. However, against a team like Honduras, it would have been better to have started Aaron Galindo or someone as rigid as Edgar Dueñas. Pinto definitely deserves some recognition for playing his position but he lacked that determination that everyone was hoping to see in the entire team.
Carlos Salcido: He comes back from a suspension only to see another red card and serve another suspension. Some say he fouled Carlos Pavon because it was his way of saying that he did not feel like playing for the national team anymore. Others defended Salcido by saying that it was a technical decision on his part. All I have to say is, why did Rafael Marquez have to perform the way he did against the US national team?
Andres Guardado: Definitely was another example of the lack of motivation that was missing from Mexico. Guardado, a very fast and effective winger, was MIA last night. His passing was off and his ball control was pathetic. For someone who plays in one of the most prestigious leagues in the world, Guardado did not show his true talent. I would have not started anyone else in his place but I would have definitely subbed him out for someone like Alberto Medina, someone with similar capabilities. Last night was not Guardado’s night.
Luis Perez: I honestly do not know why he was chosen as the second winger but Perez was not the best of choices. It would have been better to have started Alberto Medina. Fernando Arce, who started as a winger along with Guardado against Costa Rica, was benched and I believe that was a good decision on Erikssons part. But to have started Perez in that position, horrible mistake.
Leandro Agusto: He was another player, midfielder, who was MIA. He lacked the talent that he is known for when playing for Mexican club, Pumas. If I would have subbed him out, I would have chosen Israel Martinez or Gonzalo Pineda but neither were on the list of players.
Pavel Pardo: He showed more leadership against Costa Rica, despite being a worst pick, in my opinion, to be captain of the team. For a veteran, he showed no experience and leadership last night even when Mexico’s performance began to nosedive dramatically in the second half. I would have not started anyone else but I would have had some young talent on the bench ready to take his spot, such as the mentioned players: Pineda and Martinez, and even include Mario Mendez and Jorge Hernandez. Once again, neither of the latter were even on the list of players.
Carlos Vela: I have always been an advocate for bringing on the young talent in order for them to start gaining experience so as to take leadership and control of the national team. Vela showed no effort on his part to demonstrate that he deserved to play. When criticizing Vela, sports analyst have mentioned that he has not scored any goals lately, for the national team. Statistically speaking, Vela was not the best choice to Start. It would have been better to have started Matias Vuoso or even the young and talented Omar Arellano, who is gaining play time with the national, is debuting and was on the bench.
Omar Bravo: I have never been a fan of his but Omar was yet another player who was MIA. Jose Maria Cardenas, Carlos Esquivel or even Marco Fabian and Juan Carlos Cacho, players who were not called up, all young and talented, would have definitely shown more effort.
Guillermo Ochoa: I decided to leave the goalie last because it is time to take him out. He has always been regarded as a young, skillful, accomplished player. Not in my opinion. This is a goalie who has been scouted by European teams, Manchester United for one. I hope this was only a rumor and not anything serious. Although Oswaldo Sanchez does have more experience I would have taken a risk and gone with Jesus Corona. Ochoa was just not holding down his area, regardless of the lack of defense from his team. Ochoa did not demonstrate anything. I understand that fans can become angered by watching their teams goalie allow so many goals and that by witnessing this they can quickly criticize the goalies performance. I am not one of those fans. I can acknowledge when the goalie has no control over the circumstances before being scored on. Last night, Ochoa just did not cut it. Against Costa Rica, there were not many attacks on his goal and when there were attempts and shots made on his goal, those attempts were not as effective.
My Starting Eleven
Goalie: Jesus Corona
Defense: Rafael Marquez, Jonny Magallon, Edgar Castillo, Diego Martinez
Midfield: Andres Guardado, Alberto Medina, Gerardo Torrado, Gonzalo Pineda
Forwards: Matias Vuoso, Juan Carlos Cacho
And the blame goes to…
I would now like to state what was said last night on Futbol Picante. The majority had agreed that the ones to blame for the performance of Mexico’s National Team, during the Eriksson era, are the directives, the ones in charge of the decision making for the national team. I agree completely.
The directives are also to blame for the lack of potential that the Mexican League is suffering.
Let’s sack everyone and start afresh.
I also feel that the Mexican players should be held responsible for their rendition. They should feel motivated to play and represent their country. Otherwise, they should decline the chance to play and allow for other talent to present themselves.
This is the worst team Mexico has seen as of yet. How long will it last?