Miguel Herrera announced as interim Mexico coach

Club America boss Miguel Herrera will take charge of Mexico for the intercontinental playoff against New Zealand, but nothing is guaranteed beyond November 20.

Mexico have introduced Miguel Herrera as the new manager of their men's senior national team, but he's only guaranteed to have the job for two games, and thus will not be leaving his post at Club America. Mexican federation director Justino Compean announced that Herrera's entire staff will join him, and that he and the club presidents will reconvene following the playoff against New Zealand to decide on a full-time manager.

Also joining the national team is Club America sporting director Ricardo Pelaez, though he will also be evaluated between his appointment and November 20. Héctor González Iñárritu has been retained as the director of national teams for the time being.

The press conference was delayed by 50 minutes, reportedly due to a dispute between the club presidents. All of the owners are supposed to have a say in national team managers, but many say they were not consulted about the firing of Victor Manuel Vucetich -- who lasted just two games -- and the hiring of Herrera. The representative of the clubs owned by multi-billionaire Carlos Slim, in particular, was opposed to the coaching change.

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Mexico Faces Must-Win Match Against Panama to Qualify for 2014 World Cup

Friday, October 11, 2013 is going to be a monumentally important day for Mexico’sNational Soccer Team. As World Cup Qualifiers are coming to an end, Mexico finds themselves in fifth place in the CONCACAF table. The United States and Costa Rica have both mathematically qualified, leaving only one guaranteed slot and one intercontinental playoff slot in which CONCACAF’s 4th place team will face New Zealand in a home and away playoff. 

Mexico’s most likely chance of qualification will come through the intercontinental playoff. However, for them to even have a chance to reach this playoff, Mexico must first beat Panama on Friday at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. In the past, Azteca has been a fortress for Mexico in which they were usually guaranteed a win or at least a tie. But the reason the find themselves in this current predicament is that their form at Azteca has been off, only securing 3 points in their last four matches at Azteca with three ties and a loss.

As they approach this crucial match, Mexico is looking at their European based players to have a major impact on the game. This list includes Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez, Giovanni Dos Santos and Javier Aquino but unfortunately does not include Héctor Moreno (injury) and Andrés Guardado (form). Another notable inclusion into Mexico’s roster is Rafael Marquez. The Mexican veteran and previous captain had retired from international duty but head coach Victor Manuel Vucetich has called him back in the hope that the team will benefit of his experience and veteran presence. 

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Sergio Perez: “Mexican Grand Prix will be huge for F1”

Sergio Perez reckons Formula 1 will be blown away by the reception it gets in his homeland if the planned Mexican Grand Prix gets the green light for 2014. After a trying first season following his move to McLaren, Sergio Perez admits that he is already looking forward to leading the team to the Mexican Grand Prix. A draft calendar circulated to teams before the Monza race had a record 21 rounds, with Mexico listed for November 9, 2014, the week before the US Grand Prix in Austin, Texas.

Perez said: "I'm very excited. It's not confirmed yet, it's just a pre-calendar but I feel there are very big chances now of this happening. It will be great for my country, great for the sport. F1 will be amazed how popular this grand prix can become...it will be huge for F1 as a sport to go there."

Mexican businessman Carlos Slim Domit: "I believe there is potential to do more races in the Americas and I believe that Mexico is in the right spot to do it. It's a stable country, our economy is doing quite well and we have drivers people can identify with. All of the pieces are coming together and I believe the potential promoters are doing a good job in trying to secure something."

Mexico last hosted a grand prix in 1992, when Nigel Mansell triumphed for Williams en route to his world championship title. That race also took place at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, which is on course to return to the calendar despite rumors that Mexico was seeking alternative venues, such as the resort of Cancun, to stage its comeback.

As expected, the Mexican race is featured towards the end of the 2014 schedule, but was listed before the USGP rather than after it was anticipated. The November 9th slot ensures a three-race swing through the Americas to end the campaign, with Brazil continuing to stage the season finale.

The Mexican reckoned a few flat-out months of work would be required to upgrade the pit and paddock facilities but the layout was good. "I know how good the racetrack is," Perez stated, "Obviously, they need to rebuild it, but there is time enough. They have to change the pits to make them proper for F1, and improve a few corners but, apart from that, it's just a matter of time what they can do. They don't have to do big things for the racetrack to be ready so I really hope - for the good of the sport and my country - that it happens."

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Will Canelo Alvarez Be “The One” to Finally Defeat Floyd Mayweather?

The super welterweight world championship pay-per-view showdown between Canelo Alvarez and the undefeated Floyd Mayweather will take place on Saturday, September 14 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. In spite of facing the most important fight of his career, Alvarez displays the collectedness of a man who is never worried.

Canelo, a redhead with matinee idol looks, is the No. 1 boxing attraction in Mexico. He is on the cusp of joining the same club as Mexican boxing legends like Carlos Zarate, Julio Cesar Chavez Sr., Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales.

What’s at stake? A victory over Mayweather would cement Canelo’s legacy as one of the all-time greats in Mexican boxing history.

Alvarez received advice from fellow Mexican boxer and mentor, Oscar De La Hoya, who lost to Mayweather in 2007, could give Alvarez the edge to defeat Mayweather. “Floyd is a different kind of fighter and this is a different kind of fight,” Alvarez said. “For every fight there’s a game plan. But that game plan can go out the window in the first round. So you have to have a Plan B and a Plan C. And that is what we’ll work on.”

“For one thing, youth is on his side,” De La Hoya said of the 23-year-old Canelo, who hails from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. “But the real advantage will be the intelligence. People will also be surprised with his speed.”

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Mexico to play Trinidad and Tobago in Gold Cup Quarterfinal Match

Mexico will play Trinidad and Tobago on July 20 at 6:35 pm Eastern Time at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta in the second quarterfinal match of the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup. The match will be televised live in the United States on Fox Soccer.

Mexico advanced to the quarterfinal after going 2-1 in group stage play. After losing to Panama 2-1, El Tri rebounded by defeating Canada 2-0 and Martinique 3-1. Trinidad and Tobago drew with El Salvador 2-2, lost to Haiti 2-0, and then beat Honduras 2-0 to advance out of Group B.

The winner of Mexico versus Trinidad and Tobago will face the winner of the Panama-Cuba match. Mexico is seeking its third straight Gold Cup title, having won the tournament in 2009 and 2011 by defeating the United States. Mexico has won more Gold Cup titles than any other CONCACAF nation (6 wins) and has had more tournament appearances (with 20).

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Mayweather vs. Canelo Alvarez Booked for September 14th

Can Mayweather vs. Canelo Top Boxing's All-Time PPV Record?

Rated as the best pound-for-pound boxer and five-division world champion Floyd Mayweather, Jr. (44-0, 26 KO) and junior middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (42-0-1, 30 KO) are still more than two months away from meeting in the ring, but they're already shattering records. Tickets for their September 14th mega fight in Las Vegas sold out in the blink of an eye, and the fight has broken the all-time live-gate record for a boxing event.

Born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, known as El Canelo, Alvarez is an undefeated 22-year-old Mexican professional boxer in the Junior Middleweight division. Álvarez started boxing at 13 years old, after watching his older brother Rigoberto Álvarez's debut as a professional boxer. In 2004 he won the silver medal at the Junior Mexican National championships, held in Sinaloa. Even though Álvarez turned professional young, he had 20 amateur bouts under his belt. At 22, Canelo is going to let whatever happens happen, responding with youth and an imaginative spirit with the 36 year old Mayweather having to adjust to Canelo’s youthful eagerness. “I am 22-years-old and I'm not worried about money at the moment because I have a long future ahead of me. This fight is about pride, and winning, because I want to be one of the best boxers in history and this is the opportunity to reach that goal," Canelo said.

According to ESPN.com, the fight is guaranteed to generate at least $18.6 million dollars in total ticket sales. That's more than enough to supplant the 2007 bout between Mayweather and Oscar De La Hoya, which generated just over $18.4 million dollars. Canelo and Mayweather might top the all-time PPV revenue mark, as the fight is priced at $65 standard definition and $75 in HD, so even if they don't get the 2.4 million buy mark, they could top the revenue mark, which is around $134 million domestically.

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UFC to capitalize on Latin American market with expansion to Mexico in 2014

The UFC, a popular Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) sports organization, is considering expansion to Mexico in 2014. Expansion to Mexico would greatly enhance their booming Latin American market, which is already thriving in Brazil. With an enormous MMA following, a growing circuit of regional fight promotions and great local talent, Mexico has the essential pillars in place.

UFC President Dana White said he would like to take full advantage of this spike in MMA interest; he believes there is a great culture of Mexican MMA fighters who have developed a unique style of Mexican fighting.

These bright local talents include Mexican-American Cain Velasquez, the defending heavyweight champion, and Erik Perez, a rising bantam-weight contender. The success of the expansion efforts depends on whether the UFC is able to build and nurture these rising stars to bolster community support.

However, for now, the UFC is relying on a similar model it presented in Brazil--a joint-venture deal with a television network--to increase its TV presence in Mexico. This strategic partnership with Televisa Networks will give the organization a way to disseminate free UFC programming on existing channels. 

According to media reports, it could launch as early as September 2013.

Plans are also in the works to add a Spanish -language version of "The Ultimate Street Fighter" to the network, tentatively titled: "The Ultimate Street Fighter: Latin America." UFC executive Marshall Zelaznik, chief of international development, believes that having a regionally specific series and a live event in Mexico City would spearhead the UFC's business efforts in Mexico.

If the UFC can implement successful expansion efforts in Mexico in 2014, perhaps, a blueprint will be laid for future endeavors to help make the UFC a global sporting heavyweight!

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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

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Mexican Jockey Mario Gutierrez Reflects One Year After Winning Kentucky Derby

In 2012, jockey Mario Gutierrez of Veracruz rode into the record books as the winning jockey of the Kentucky Derby. One year after his victorious race aboard the horse I'll Have Another, Gutierrez will be watching the 2013 Kentucky Derby from the sidelines.

“It will be nice,” Gutierrez told Yahoo! Sports last week. “I get to watch it and not have any pressure.” 

Nevertheless, winning the Kentucky Derby changed Mario Gutierrez’s life. He appeared on late-night talk shows and threw out the first pitch at a Los Angeles Dodgers ballgame.

“When people ask who won the Kentucky Derby in 2012, my name will be right there,” he said. “I can always say I went there for the first time and won the Kentucky Derby.”

Gutierrez was born in Veracruz, Mexico but built his professional jockey career in Canada.  Since 2006, Gutierrez has been one of the leading riders at Hastings Race Course in Vancouver, winning riding titles in 2007, 2008 before coming up short for a third on the final day of the meeting last year.

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Adventurer Abraham Levy to Row from Spain to Mexico

Mexico adventurer Abraham Levy will attempt to row it alone from Puerto de Palos, Spain, to Cancun, Mexico, in a sixth-month journey inspired by Christopher Columbus’ voyage to the Americas.

Levy, whose trip will begin on October 12, said “I want to do what the great explorers did and set out from the Old World, leaving Puerto de Palos en route to Mexican Lands.”

The adventure aficionado will travel via a boat that is equipped with navigation gear, GPS, satellite phone, a desalinization plant, a stove and solar panels to charge the lithium batteries. He will also have land-based support from a group of doctors, trainers and meteorological experts. The carbon fiber boat weighs 400 pounds, measures 24 feet long and 5 feet abeam, has a hermetic cabin and 10-foot oars of the same material.

This is not the first major voyage for Levy. He kayaked 6,800 miles along the coasts of his country in 2008.

"The trip will take about four months, but I'm going prepared to spend six months at sea," said Levy, who will set out on his journey in October because at that point hurricane season is over on his route, which follows the trade winds to the Canary Islands, continues on to the Caribbean, and then changes course to Mexico.

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Sports Tourism Brings Fans to Mexico

Mexico plays host to the most ideal destinations for sports tourism. Whether you are an athlete or an avid follower, there is a place in Mexico that is perfect for you. Between its prime locations for water skiing, mountain biking, gravel driving races and sailing, any sports fan would feel at home vacationing in Mexico.

Guadalajara and the state of Jalisco hosted the 2011 Pan American Games. The event is the world's second largest athletic competition, ranking behind the Summer Olympics, and had a significant economic impact on the state of Jalisco. 6,000 athletes competed in a variety of sports. Water skiers from across the Americas came to the beautiful lakeside town of Ajijic, with sport fans from across the globe gathering in the charming town to watch. Ajijic is perfect for water skiing. The venue for the games was Boca Laguna, an artificial lake adjoining Lake Chapala in this central Jalisco town. Ajijic’s draw to the adventurous has created a town perfect for an exhilarating vacation.

The Pan American Games’ sailing competition took place at the Vallarta Yacht Club in Nuevo Vallarta. Fans of windsurfing, laser radial, laser standard, J-24, hobit cat, snipe, lightning and sunfish gathered to watch the 140 athletes compete. Nuevo Vallarta is no stranger to tourism, with many Americans and Canadians choosing its white, sandy beaches as a vacation destination.

Tapalpa, a municipality within Jalisco, was the perfect location for a mountain biking venue in Mexico. As part of the Sierra de Tapalpa, it has an extremely mountainous terrain – 74 percent of Tapalpa is considered “hilly!” In addition to being a haven for mountain bikers and mountain hikers, this environment has made Tapalpa a home for hang-gliding and paragliding.

In March, Mexico hosted the third round of the World Rally Competition as the first gravel event. Mexico spread 23 stages across 397 kilometers. It took place in the mountains surrounding the towns of Leon, Silao, Irapuato and Guanajuato. The Rally Guanajuato Mexico was the longest at 54.9 kilometers. While the dust may have settled from the action-packed event, the excitement over it has not. The event has become increasingly popular, for both competitors and spectators, and is expected to only gather more and more followers every year.

Whether it’s the sport itself that calls to you or the excitement of watching, Mexico provides many unparalleled destinations for the avid sports fan. Come play in Mexico, and have the most exhilarating vacation of your lifetime! 

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Female Sailor Galia Moss Makes History Again

Mexico’s brand ambassador Galia Moss, the first female in Latin America and Mexico to travel solo across the Atlantic Ocean, is currently sailing her third solo trip. This time, her adventure takes place in Latin America.

On November 6, 2012, Galia embarked on an expedition that would make history. She started her journey in Xcaret located in Riviera Maya – one of the most popular beach destinations for American and Canadian tourists – and is making her way around the tip of Argentina. After approximately 180 days, Galia will finish her trip on the sunny shores of Acapulco.

The sailboat carrying this female pioneer was built in France and designed by architect Marc Lombard fit to Galia’s needs. It was named “El Mas Mejor II” and is a 35-foot vessel with its own kitchen and living area to help Galia feel at home during her six-month journey. As a Mexico brand ambassador, Galia’s sailboat also has the Mexico Today logo on it.

After covering nine thousand miles in 41 days on her first trip across the Atlantic Ocean, Galia has gained considerable mention in the news. She was even listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for her first solo trip.

As a representative of Mexico and women in Latin America, Galia strives to promote education in her home country. She supports “Just Raise Your Hand” alliance, which improves school infrastructure and provides resources to children in need. For every 1.813 nautical miles, the Alliance improves the infrastructure of 1-8 schools and for every 10 miles, one child receives financial support and school supplies.

For updates on Galia’s sailing journey, visit her website at http://galiamoss.org, which features a blog, maps and images from her trip.

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Golf Channel's Big Break series heads to Mexico for 19th season

Beginning its 19th season on May 13, Golf Channel’s Big Break is set to take place in Mexico this year. The reality competition will take place in Riviera Maya at the Playa Paraiso Golf Club and nearby Iberostar Grand Hotel Paraiso.

Big Break Mexico, which was produced in partnership with the Mexico Tourism Board, will highlight the breathtaking aspects of the par-72 golf course rising out of the Mayan jungle. Such features include narrow fairways, deep bunkers, and hazards characteristic of the local surroundings.

The most popular of The Golf Channel’s original series, Big Break stars amateur, albeit talented, six men and six women golfers pitted against each other in mixed teams. Whoever wins after several challenges testing their mental and physical prowess will be offered an opportunity to play alongside the greats in an actual LPGA or PGA tournament.

Throughout the show’s history, several golfers have been had the good fortune to break into the world’s top tours after appearing. This season is no different as the female champion will play in the 2013 Lorena Ochoa Invitational, while the male champion will play in the 2013 OHL Classic at Mayakoba.

Certainly, if all goes according to plan, this season will be a hole in one for both Mexican tourism as well as the players themselves.

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Mexico to host World Rally Championship Event

This spring, Mexico will be hosting third round of the World Rally Championship as the first gravel event. The WRC consists of 13 3-day events held in various countries such as Australia, Spain, Finland and France.  Mexico will be holding the competition March 7th to March 10th and will have 23 stages that will span over a distance of 397 kilometers.

Their Guanajuato stage will be the longest of the rally at 54.9 kilometers.  The new tests are the SS2 Parque Bicentenario and the El Chocolate.  The test through Guanajuato’s Bicentennial Park was built through the cities of Guanajuato, Leon and Silao 2 years ago to celebrate 200 years of Mexican independence.  The El Chocolate test is the newest at 31 kilometers with some of the best views of the entire rally. On the last day of the rally a 5km footrace will be held called the “Carrera Atletica Rally Guanajuato Mexico” a few hours before the SS23 Super Special Stage 5. 

The Rally Guanajuato Mexico will kick off with the new and tough Shakedown/Qualifying Stage in Llano Grande on March 7th.  Tickets to the rally are available via the website.  The rally, with beautiful scenery in the mountains surrounding the cities of Leon, Silao, Irapuatio and Guanajuato, is an extremely popular attraction usually placing within the Top 5 rallies of the world.  

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Mexico's National Soccer Team facing full schedule

2013 will be a big, busy year for the Mexican national soccer team.

El Tricolor ("The Three Colors;" green, white and red of the Mexican flag and the team's uniforms), as the team is affectionately nicknamed, will play at least 25 matches this year spread across four international competitions and events.

And Mexico's big, busy year will begin in the Valley.

The team will play Denmark in an international friendly on Jan. 30 at University of Phoenix Stadium, the first of five friendlies Mexico has scheduled on its 11th annual U.S. Tour.

The team will also play in the Confederations Cup in Brazil in June and the CONCACAF Gold Cup in the U.S. in July. But most importantly, Mexico will attempt to qualify for the 2014 World Cup during the fourth and last round of the CONCACAF qualifying tournament between between February and October.

Mexican national team coach Juan Manuel de la Torre, who held a press conference at University of Phoenix Stadium Monday to hype the Jan. 30 match, said despite all the competitions his team will play in this year, qualifying for the World Cup is the main goal.

"And this game against Denmark is part of the preparation," de la Torre said in Spanish. "It is also preparation for our game against Jamaica (on Feb. 6, the first match of the last World Cup qualifying round).

“I think the conditions for this game are very good to prepare us. It will be a very good trial for us before the Jamaica game. I want to see how the players are doing and getting along together.”

Continue reading about Mexico's Soccer Full Schedule at AZCentral.com!

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Herculez Gomez opens Liga MX season in Mexico with a goal

When discussing front-line American players absent from the current U.S. camp because they are busy with big clubs beyond MLS, the tendency is to think only of the name names in England, German, Italy and elsewhere in Europe.

Of course, there is one sure-fire roster inclusion who earns his club pay down in Mexico.

When U.S. manager Jurgen Klinsmann names his 18- or 20-man roster for that final round World Cup qualifier opener Feb. 6 in Honduras, count on Herculez Gomez being there.

In 2012, Gomez moved from way back in the pack to perhaps No. 2 on Klinsmann’s list of forward selections, right behind Clint Dempsey. Clearly, we would surely call 2012 a big, honkin’ success of a year for the Santos Laguna forward.

Looks like 2013 is starting just like the previous year ended. Gomez scored an important goal for his team Sunday as Santos drew 1-1 with San Luis to open the Liga MX season.

Here’s the goal:

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Mexico's goal at Copa de las Americas: Win it all

Fabiola Arriaga and Gabriela Lopez set the real pace around Doral’s Blue Monster in the first round of the Copa de las Americas. Playing in twosomes with Guatemala, Mexico’s women were easily off the course in less than four hours. Playing in the third group off the first tee on Thursday morning, teammate Carlos Ortiz did some pace-setting of his own. His 4-under 68 held up as the lowest score in Round 1, by two shots.

By day’s end, Mexico was in fourth on the team leaderboard, only five shots behind leader Argentina.

“This is a really tough competition because every scorecard counts,” said Santiago Casado, Mexican National Coach. Among Mexico’s four scores was a 77 and an 80.

Casado states his team’s goal for the week as nothing less than a victory. There are several indicators among his four players of how golf is growing in Mexico. Of the 38 players in the field, 24 currently play or have played college golf in the U.S. Mexico is one of only three teams made up of four current collegians (Canada and the U.S. are, too).

Ortiz, a soft spoken senior at North Texas, also played for Mexico at the World Team Amateur in September. It was historic stuff in Antalya, Turkey, as he and teammates Rodolfo Cazaubon (also playing in the Copa) and Sebastian Vazquez finished second to the U.S., just five shots back. The country’s previous best finish at the World Team Amateur was fifth, which happened three times. Mexico has competed in every event since 1958.

“It was really special,” Ortiz said. “We were not surprised because we knew what we were capable of, but it was amazing. It was a great experience and we’re really proud of what we did. ... I think it’s going to bring a lot of support for golf, they’re putting their eye on golf.”

Continue reading about Mexico's goal at Copa de la Americas at Golfweek.com!

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Looking ahead at 2013 for Mexico

It’s going to be a very busy 2013 for El Tri at all levels. Here’s a quick look ahead to all that Mexico fans have to look forward to in the New Year.

World Cup qualifying
Given that many El Ti fans will regard qualifying for the 2014 World Cup as a foregone conclusion – as well they might, given that CONCACAF almost certainly will have four teams in Brazil – the importance of the year-long World Cup qualifying Hexagonal is diminished somewhat.

The fact remains, however, that Mexico hasn’t topped the qualifying consistently since the Hex began for the 1998 World Cup, also the last time that El Tri finished alone at the top of the CONCACAF table. That should be a goal for the Federation this year, as the best way to prove on the field that Mexico has truly become the undisputed king of the region.

In addition, El Tri can take aim at the record of 22 points from 10 games that Costa Rica achieved in the 2001 Hex. With a pretty weak regional field, that’s certainly a possibility for this Mexico team.

Confederations Cup
The most important event of the year for Mexico, the Confederations Cup is El Tri’s chance to show that it’s arrived on the international level. With a group that includes Italy, Japan and Brazil, just getting to a semifinal will be a challenge.

In rubbing elbows with the world’s best, El Tri can define its potential role in the 2014 World Cup. Mexico has done well in this competition in the past, and a title at the 2013 Confederations Cup would establish El Tri as a definite contender to win the World Cup next year in Brazil.

Gold Cup
The regional championship will be a secondary event for Chepo de la Torre’s side, but important nevertheless, as it will give some up and coming players a chance to show they belong in the discussion for the first team.

There’s no reason not to expect Mexico’s backups to challenge for a third straight title for El Tri at the Gold Cup, though Honduras and the U.S. are likely to provide firm challenges. Either way, there’s little to lose in this event for El Tri.

Continue reading about what's ahead for Mexico in 2013 and the upcoming Under-20 World Cup at Yahoo! Sports.com.

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UFC Headed to Mexico in January to Cast “The Ultimate Fighter Mexico”

UFC president Dana White has been saying for years that he’s taking his company to Mexico, but Thursday was the first time that he revealed some tangible details on when and how.

The UFC is headed to Mexico in January 2013 to begin casting for a Mexican version of The Ultimate Fighter.

“We're going down there, we're casting,” said White following Thursday’s UFC 155 pre-fight press conference in Las Vegas. “We're working on an Ultimate Fighter Mexico.”

White is hopeful that there are enough talented fighters south of the American border for an all-Mexican version of the reality series.

Even with casting slated to be underway in January, a television deal is not yet in place.

“When you're dealing with some of these countries where, you know, five families run all of Mexico. You know what I mean?” White commented when asked about a broadcast deal for Mexico.

“We're talking to everybody down there. We'll get this thing squared away; get The Ultimate Fighter running down there. Once we get the right deal, I know it will be big.”

White compared Mexico to Brazil when he discussed how big the impact of The Ultimate Fighter would be once it gets off the ground there. He doesn’t for a second question if the support is there.

“The fans are definitely there. They're absolutely positively there; that's not a concern at all.”

With casting underway in less than a month, get ready for The Ultimate Fighter Mexico sometime in the next year.

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Carlos Slim Domit Enters Hall of Fame

Celebrated for his efforts in promoting and building the sport, Carlos Slim became part of the Hall of Fame of the Mexican Motorsport Federation (FEMADAC). When asked about the future of Formula One in Mexico, Slim reiterated that in order for Mexico to enter the F1 calendar, they must present a suitable project first. Some are hopeful Mexico will be able to get on the F1 race schedule in 2013. 

"There are many variables. It’s a big project; it has to be a national project, having a promoter that can coordinate the pieces around. Hopefully in the future we can have a Grand Prix back to Mexico," said Slim. 

Slim also participated in the unveiling of the Wall of the Carrera Panamericana in the events where he was the main protagonist and pilots Guillermo Rojas and the brand new World Rally Champion Benito Guerra attended the event as well. 

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