Is De la Torre the right coach to take Mexico forward?

Mexico coach Jose Manuel “Chepo” de la Torre talked on Monday about the importance of winning ugly, picking up points and getting El Tri over the line and qualified for Brazil 2014.

El Tri produced the ugly soccer against Costa Rica on Tuesday, but failed to win or even score in the Estadio Azteca. That makes it three consecutive 0-0 draws this year in World Cup qualifying inside the massive stadium. It makes Mexico’s qualification for Brazil 2014 anything but secure and De la Torre’s job seriously under-threat for the first time.

Chants of “Chepo out” bellowed down from the steep bleachers towards the end and it isn’t difficult to see why. Fans of other CONCACAF nations may mock the Mexican public’s vocal and possibly hasty criticism of Chepo, but it comes in a context of El Tri winning Olympic gold and enjoying unprecedented success at youth level. This was supposed to be the qualifying campaign to cement Mexico as the undisputed dominant force in the region.

Instead, it has turned into the traditional dogfight involving the United States and Central American nations, none of which are in the top 25 of the FIFA rankings.

“There are 12 points left, there are still a lot of games,” De la Torre told Mexican TV company Televisa after Tuesday’s game.

While it is almost unthinkable that Mexico won’t be at Brazil 2014, suddenly games against Honduras (h), USA (a), Panama (h) and Costa Rica (a) don’t look so tempting with the pressure right on. And those statements from Chepo about how many games are left are starting to wear thin.

Yes, it is difficult against decent CONCACAF teams that come to defend and hope for goals on the counterattack. It is also true Mexico is more naturally adept playing that way itself, when there is more space in the final third.

Continue reading more on Mexico's De la Torre here: http://bit.ly/194rvfx

Read More

Monterrey’s big day against Chelsea

It may not be on at prime time for anyone in North America or Europe, but Thursday could be another one of those milestone days for Mexican soccer that seem to be coming round with increasing frequency.


The feeling in Mexico, and certainly among its CONCACAF neighbors, is that soccer in the North American country is on the brink of a boom and Monterrey’s game against Chelsea in the early hours of Thursday morning (4:30 a.m. Mexico time) in the semifinal of the Club World Cup is another chance to prove it.

Chelsea can expect a well-oiled Rayados with experience at its heart and a few highly talented younger players sprinkled in. Monterrey is also a team that has benefitted from being involved from last year’s tournament and has focused its energy on doing well in Japan over the last couple of months.

A blow has been the loss of striker Humberto Suazo to injury, but the diminutive Chilean has not found form this season, mainly due to injury problems.


Players to watch out for

For those not acquainted with the Monterrey side, the player to keep an eye for future reference on is center back Hiram Mier.

The captain of Mexico’s Olympic team is 23 years old and is ready to cross the channel and play in one of Europe’s top leagues. His duel against Fernando Torres is one to watch and another test for the youngster who is mounting a legitimate challenge to Francisco ‘Maza’ Rodriguez’s starting spot in the Mexican national team.

Aside from Mier, left back Darvin Chavez was also a member of that Olympic team which defeated Brazil 2-1 in Wembley last August and is pushing for honors with El Tri.

Jonathan Orozco in goal is another that could quite easily play in Europe and is on the fringe of the national team. He isn’t the biggest or most physically imposing ‘keeper, but he is very quick, sure and distributes the ball perhaps better than any other Mexican goalkeeper at present.

But while those younger players viewing the game against Chelsea as somewhat of a shop window to parade themselves to top European clubs, ‘Chelito’ Delgado already has European experience and will be the key if the Rayados do want to win the game.

Delgado will have to use all his nous to craft a goal at some stage for Monterrey, whether he plays behind striker Aldo de Nigris or as a right winger. His experience with Olympique Lyon in the Champions League is vital for Monterrey.

Continue reading about Monterrey's big day against Chelsea at Soccer365.com!

Read More