The CONCACAF Gold Cup does not top any list of prestigious international tournaments. That much is certain.
Nevertheless, the competition pits Mexico against the United States in a hotly contested dual for continental (obviously north of Panama) supremacy that has repercussions off the field too.
Football is Mexico’s national sport. It is rare that any other sport is featured as the main story in the daily sports newspapers. Unlike some Caribbean countries that were part of the Spanish empire and then fell under the U.S. sphere of influence and then took to American baseball, Mexico didn’t to the same degree.
By the time Cubans and Dominicans were learning the basics of baseball in the late 19th century, Mexicans had already taken to a game brought to Hidalgo state by a group of Cornish (English) miners.
Mexico considers football its sport. There are even theories that versions of the game were actually invented by indigenous groups before the Spanish conquest. (I've spoken to an indigenous sports expert about this and he claimed that it is likely a game similar to football was played in Mexico/Central America; we just haven't found the evidence yet)
That aside, the game became defined as the national sport because it was a way for the country to continually get one over on the United States in an otherwise unbalanced relationship.
“They may be richer, more populous and bigger than us and they may not treat us very well when we go up there to work,” went the common Mexican perception. “But how good is it when we beat them at football?”
You probably don’t need to be told that the status quo has changed since then. I don’t know if Mexicans receive a warmer welcome up north, but the United States has developed a strong national team and structured the domestic game. The national team can compete against any team in the world on its day.
The U.S. has now overtaken Mexico in the exportation of players abroad to gain vital experience. The U.S. squad now has 16 players in their 23-man squad playing outside the United States. Mexico has just nine.
Mexico finds itself in 28th place in the FIFA rankings, compared to the U.S. in 22nd.
The omens look ominous but where does that leave Mexico?
The team don’t look in bad shape. Indeed Mexico, according to bet365, are favourites to win the Gold Cup at 11/8 (2.38). The U.S. come in at 13/8 (2.63). In other words, there isn’t much between the teams.
Thousands of column inches have been written in praise of Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez this season. He is obviously a big plus for the national team and a potential match-winner. He is also the main focus of fan adoration amongst Mexicans and Mexican-Americans.
More importantly in terms of the rivalry, Chicharito is also the kind of player that the United States would love to produce but has thus far failed to do so: a media-friendly, easy-on-the-eye winner. In other words, a global star to pin their hopes onto and raise the profile of the national game. Landon Donovan looked to be getting there but opted to stay in Los Angeles.
The crux of the current Mexican situation on the field though is the agitation surrounding the Mexican players that are around the same age as Chicharito. The Gold Cup is a chance to shine in the shop window for players looking to move from their present clubs: Guillermo Ochoa, Pablo Barrera, Andres Guardado, Aldo de Nigris, Hector Moreno, Angel Reyna, Efrain Juarez and Giovani Dos Santos.
If you exclude de Nigris, the dynamic of the Mexico-U.S. rivalry will be shaped largely to how those players develop over the next few years. Few dare to question their natural talent. Many in the know believe some of the above have more talent than Chicharito but lack the maturity to perform week in, week out. Now is the time for them to step up and follow the Manchester United man's lead.
So, on paper, the U.S. and Mexico go into the Gold Cup seemingly on par despite the U.S.’s steep rise in performance over the last 10-15 years. Which way the dynamic goes in the next 10 years promises to be fascinating.
Home advantage?
All the games for this year’s Gold Cup, as in every other edition of the tournament bar the few times Mexico were co-host, will be played in the United States. That is a discernible disadvantage for the other teams. However, in the case of Mexico, it makes little difference. Mexicans and Mexican-Americans based in the United States will be backing the Tri in their droves.
It’s another dimension of the U.S.-Mexico rivalry which continues to dominate, and almost overshadow, the Gold Cup.
The improvement of the U.S., as well as the dominance of both countries, is visibly identifiable when we look as the past winners of the Gold Cup since 1991. Only Canada has bucked the trend. In reverse order the winners are:
Mexico
USA
USA
Mexico
USA
Canada
Mexico
Mexico
Mexico
USA
Saturday, 4 June 2011
Chicharito looks to fire Mexico to international glory
Mexico kicks off its Gold Cup campaign on Sunday against El Salvador with Manchester United striker Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez looking for his first piece of international silverware.
The Manchester United man has scored 20 goals this season and arrives at the competition in the United States off the back of a sensational debut season for the Reds.
Back in Mexico, the media is looking to their new star to lead the team to glory but Chicharito, down-to-earth as always, has played down his significance to the Mexican team.
I don't feel like the symbol, the idol, or the reference point of anything, as I have said in Manchester," explained Hernandez during a press conference with the national team. "I've never considered myself better because I play in Europe."
In total, Mexico has won the CONCACAF Gold Cup five times, more than any other nation. However, the United States has become a serious challenge to Mexico' s hegemony over the last 15 years. The last two finals have been between Mexico and the United States. In this year's competition the U.S. team features former United players Jonathan Spector and Tim Howard. Strong challenges may also come from Costa Rica and Honduras. The winner of the competition qualifies for the Confederations Cup.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has previously said that the young Mexican striker won't be available for the Copa America, in which Mexico will field a team of mainly Under-22s mixed with five older players.
Mexico open their Gold Cup campaign against El Salvador on Sunday, June 5 at 8 p.m. Eastern time/ 7 p.m. Mexico time in Arlington Texas. Chicharito has declared himself ready to start.
The Manchester United man has scored 20 goals this season and arrives at the competition in the United States off the back of a sensational debut season for the Reds.
Back in Mexico, the media is looking to their new star to lead the team to glory but Chicharito, down-to-earth as always, has played down his significance to the Mexican team.
I don't feel like the symbol, the idol, or the reference point of anything, as I have said in Manchester," explained Hernandez during a press conference with the national team. "I've never considered myself better because I play in Europe."
In total, Mexico has won the CONCACAF Gold Cup five times, more than any other nation. However, the United States has become a serious challenge to Mexico' s hegemony over the last 15 years. The last two finals have been between Mexico and the United States. In this year's competition the U.S. team features former United players Jonathan Spector and Tim Howard. Strong challenges may also come from Costa Rica and Honduras. The winner of the competition qualifies for the Confederations Cup.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has previously said that the young Mexican striker won't be available for the Copa America, in which Mexico will field a team of mainly Under-22s mixed with five older players.
Mexico open their Gold Cup campaign against El Salvador on Sunday, June 5 at 8 p.m. Eastern time/ 7 p.m. Mexico time in Arlington Texas. Chicharito has declared himself ready to start.
Chicharito's Final?
Forget about Messi, Xavi, Rooney and Giggs.
Whatever happens Saturday afternoon at Wembley between Manchester United and Barcelona, as far as Mexicans are concerned, this is Chicharito's final.
"This lad has Mexico head over heels..." reads the front page headline on a local sports daily three days before the final. The accompanying photo is an upside down photo of the Manchester United star designed to hammer home the point.
Plans are already well underway as to where people are watching the final. Bars and restaurants are expecting bumper crowds. Three separate television channels are showing the game live. The Mexico friendly against Ecuador that kicks off at 3.15 p.m. will be shown on delay. (The Champions League final will finish at around 3:45 p.m. local time)
"When the celebrations have finished, the Mexico-Ecuador game will be shown on Channel 2 with a delay," Javier Alarcon, sports chief at Televisa told the press.
Alcaron added that Televisa had warned Mexican Football Federation executives weeks ago that they would prioritize the Champions League and that the time of the Mexico game should be moved.
Over on Fox Sports, Fausto Ceballos, Vice-President of Programming, is expecting records to be shattered.
Said Ceballos: "I believe that this game [United v Barca] will break viewing figure records for the channel due to the coverage and interest that it is generating."
Outside the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, around 2,500 people are expected to gather to watch the game on big screens Nike are providing.
The debate at taco stands and coffee shops in Chicharito's home town of Guadalajara has recently turned to whether their most famous son will start, and Manchester United's chances against a formidable Barcelona side. The former Chivas player who is the third generation of his family to play for the Mexican national team is already a firm local idol. Sports newspapers regularly carry his photo on the front page. The reason isn't hard to fathom: his popularity boosts sales.
At a time when a quick Google search for Mexico produces nothing but negative headlines, Chicharito is almost the opposite: a Mexican who lives a clean life, loves his country and, most importantly, is positively successful.
It´s difficult to overemphasize what Chicharito has achieved this year and what it means to Mexicans, Mexican-Americans, and Mexican football. There was even a debate on a radio show about whether Chicharito or the Pope had been better for the Catholic Church over the last year! Few predicted he would make such an impact over a year ago when his face was unexpectedly glaring back from all the newspapers after signing for Manchester United.
No Mexican has ever scored in a Champions League Final. Nobody in Mexico wants to add any extra pressure but, with the way Chicharito has smashed through every hurdle put in front of him and risen to every challenge, would you bet against him?
Whatever happens Saturday afternoon at Wembley between Manchester United and Barcelona, as far as Mexicans are concerned, this is Chicharito's final.
"This lad has Mexico head over heels..." reads the front page headline on a local sports daily three days before the final. The accompanying photo is an upside down photo of the Manchester United star designed to hammer home the point.
Plans are already well underway as to where people are watching the final. Bars and restaurants are expecting bumper crowds. Three separate television channels are showing the game live. The Mexico friendly against Ecuador that kicks off at 3.15 p.m. will be shown on delay. (The Champions League final will finish at around 3:45 p.m. local time)
"When the celebrations have finished, the Mexico-Ecuador game will be shown on Channel 2 with a delay," Javier Alarcon, sports chief at Televisa told the press.
Alcaron added that Televisa had warned Mexican Football Federation executives weeks ago that they would prioritize the Champions League and that the time of the Mexico game should be moved.
Over on Fox Sports, Fausto Ceballos, Vice-President of Programming, is expecting records to be shattered.
Said Ceballos: "I believe that this game [United v Barca] will break viewing figure records for the channel due to the coverage and interest that it is generating."
Outside the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, around 2,500 people are expected to gather to watch the game on big screens Nike are providing.
The debate at taco stands and coffee shops in Chicharito's home town of Guadalajara has recently turned to whether their most famous son will start, and Manchester United's chances against a formidable Barcelona side. The former Chivas player who is the third generation of his family to play for the Mexican national team is already a firm local idol. Sports newspapers regularly carry his photo on the front page. The reason isn't hard to fathom: his popularity boosts sales.
At a time when a quick Google search for Mexico produces nothing but negative headlines, Chicharito is almost the opposite: a Mexican who lives a clean life, loves his country and, most importantly, is positively successful.
It´s difficult to overemphasize what Chicharito has achieved this year and what it means to Mexicans, Mexican-Americans, and Mexican football. There was even a debate on a radio show about whether Chicharito or the Pope had been better for the Catholic Church over the last year! Few predicted he would make such an impact over a year ago when his face was unexpectedly glaring back from all the newspapers after signing for Manchester United.
No Mexican has ever scored in a Champions League Final. Nobody in Mexico wants to add any extra pressure but, with the way Chicharito has smashed through every hurdle put in front of him and risen to every challenge, would you bet against him?
Pumas UNAM: Worthy Champions
Looking back on the Mexican season that ended with a wonder goal by Pumas UNAM youngster Javier Cortes to seal the final against Monarcas Morelia, it seems fitting and logical that the Mexico City university team should win the league.
Combining players that were sprouted from the team´s youth system – Javier Cortes, David Cabrera, Antonio Palacios, Marco Antonio Palacios, Israel Castro, Efrain Velarde, Luis Fuentes – with foreign stalwarts like Argentine Martin Bravo, Paraguayan Dante Lopez, Brazilian Leandro and Francisco Palencia, proved a winning formula.
The reasons aren´t rocket science. The delicate balance between youth and experience was hit right on the head by Pumas and, aside from one bad result away at Monterrey, they won the playoffs with relative ease. The youngsters were hungry for a trophy while the older players knew that not many opportunities remain.
Star-divide
It is especially fitting that Palencia, the Mexican league´s equivalent of Ryan Giggs, should get two of the goals in the final for Pumas. Experience raised its hand to be counted. Then, in the 77th minute, youth had the final word. When Cortes picked up the ball in the 77th minute on the right wing, there seemed little threat to Vilar´s (Ringo Starr lookalike, anyone?) goal. Less than five seconds later the ball was in the net. Cortes had slalomed his way through three Morelia defenders and smashed the ball into the roof of the Morelia net.
The two goals on Sunday summarized the essence of Pumas this year. The blend of youth and experience, players brought up in the club and select foreigners, worked to clinical effect.
New players will be needed eventually for Pumas to maintain the delicate balance they obtained this season but fans won´t care about that right now. They are too busy celebrating.
The big question remains though. Why don´t other teams use the Pumas model?
Combining players that were sprouted from the team´s youth system – Javier Cortes, David Cabrera, Antonio Palacios, Marco Antonio Palacios, Israel Castro, Efrain Velarde, Luis Fuentes – with foreign stalwarts like Argentine Martin Bravo, Paraguayan Dante Lopez, Brazilian Leandro and Francisco Palencia, proved a winning formula.
The reasons aren´t rocket science. The delicate balance between youth and experience was hit right on the head by Pumas and, aside from one bad result away at Monterrey, they won the playoffs with relative ease. The youngsters were hungry for a trophy while the older players knew that not many opportunities remain.
Star-divide
It is especially fitting that Palencia, the Mexican league´s equivalent of Ryan Giggs, should get two of the goals in the final for Pumas. Experience raised its hand to be counted. Then, in the 77th minute, youth had the final word. When Cortes picked up the ball in the 77th minute on the right wing, there seemed little threat to Vilar´s (Ringo Starr lookalike, anyone?) goal. Less than five seconds later the ball was in the net. Cortes had slalomed his way through three Morelia defenders and smashed the ball into the roof of the Morelia net.
The two goals on Sunday summarized the essence of Pumas this year. The blend of youth and experience, players brought up in the club and select foreigners, worked to clinical effect.
New players will be needed eventually for Pumas to maintain the delicate balance they obtained this season but fans won´t care about that right now. They are too busy celebrating.
The big question remains though. Why don´t other teams use the Pumas model?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
