Lavolpe losing patience with Lozano

February 28th, 2006 | By: John | 4 Comments »

Mexican national team coach Ricardo Lavolpe seems to have forgotten who helped Mexico earn their latest ticket to soccer’s greatest stage. At a press conference yesterday, the argentine coach may have put the kybosh on Jimmy Lozano’s return to the national team.

Lozano, one of Mexico’s finest midfielders, has struggled to find his from since returning from injury.

Nevertheless, he was second only to current Bolton Wanderers benchwarmer, Jared Borgetti, in goals scored in the qualifying campaign. Granted, most of those goals were scored against the likes of Dominica, and St. Kitts, and other regional minnows. It was Lozano, though, who kick-started the tri-colores final push in the CONCACAF hexagonal tournament with two magnificent goals in San Jose, and an assist in the Azteca for Borgetti’s opening goal vs. the USA.

Lavolpe has been using the latest batch of friendlies to find adequate replacements for both Lozano and Salvador Carmona, who is serving his suspension for testing positive for a banned substance last summer. The results have not been good. Here in Austin, we have a retired college football coach who says “you dance with who brung ya!” This week Lavolpe’s dance card includes Jose “gringo’ Castro, Diego Martinez, Gonzalo Pineda, and Mario Perez to audition up the flanks.

Amazingly, the lack of loyalty Lavolpe has shown to Lozano for his current lack of form is in stark contrast to the blind loyalty lavolpe has given 2 other players: Sinha, and Francisco ‘Maza’ Rodriguez. The latter will make every Mexican reach for their heart pills if he is on the starting XI when they take the field against Iran in June. El Maza is a slow, defensive liability who must have some serious hand on Lavolpe to be continually included on the list of call-ups. Sinha, on the other hand, is a capable player, but he is not immune to disappearing on the pitch as he has done so far in 2006. Sinha, though, is a late scratch for the Ghana game, and has been replaced by Alfonso Sandoval (Chiapas).

The Mexican coach stated that he cannot wait for Lozano to return to his once great form. But with the world cup still 100 days away, he certainly has the time. Lozano has earned the right to represent his country this summer. He did score a brilliant equalizer last week for his club. When the time comes to make the list, let’s hope Lavolpe remembers Jimmy.

Tags: Jaime Lozano, Mexico, Ricardo Lavolpe

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Comments

By Surge | February 28th, 2006 at 5:13 pm

Jimmy Lozano will play in the WC.

I thought people actually had to know some stuff or at least have a clue about what they’re posting on here, so much for that!

The benchwarmer has scored 6 goald in 9 showings, most of them as a sub.

Masa not (maza) is one of the most solid defenders in Mexico as of now, as long with Marques, and Salcido, he’s not know for speed but he’s solid.

Look around a bit before you post things that don’t even make sense and that show how much you know about Mexican soccer players or “naturalized”.

A lot of noise with nothing really said.

Posted from United States

By John | February 28th, 2006 at 8:59 pm

I honestly hope that Jimmy makes the cup, but I can only go by what is said by the man who picks the squad, and it sounded to me that he has serious doubts. Don’t get me wrong, I want Jimmy to go to Europe. I think he is one of Mexico’s most talented players. Unfortunately, he just has not played as well lately as he did when he was with UNAM. Moreover, he was left off Tigres’ list for the Libertadores.
There is no question that Jared deserves more playing time at Bolton. But at least he will be fresh, very fresh for the cup.
Thanks for the heads up on Masa. Again, I can only go by what I see, and from what I have seen from Masa, he is Mexico’s biggest defensive liability. He will likely make the team, but I seriously doubt he will start.

Posted from United States

By Germain Perez | March 30th, 2006 at 1:18 pm

I’m a Tigres fan, and I’m a little pissed off because as of latest, it seems Jimmy won’t be going to the World Cup, and he really does deserve to go. Screw Sinha. Oh, and to the surge guy, it’s actually “Maza”… shows what you know.

Posted from United States

By Big-Baller-Shot-Caller | March 30th, 2006 at 9:06 pm

I agree, Lozano is the man, he is one of the only Mexican midfield players [as unbelieavable as this sounds] that can actually cross the ball well and kick direct kicks/corners well. If Lavolpe picks Israel Lopez over Jimmy than we can expect a 2nd round and out again.

Masa is going for sure I think, for one thing, he does a couple of things extremely well.

a.he heads the ball amazingly well and not just on defense but on dead balls and and on offense. Mexico’s biggest weakness over the years is dead balls and corners. Plus he is our only other player over 6ft.

b.he is great at slide tackling because he is tall and long, frustrating offensive players.

Most mexican fans don’t appreciate these qualities. Anybody who has ever played the game knows winning defensive headers again and again in the box is extremely difficult. Might come in handy against European teams.

Posted from United States

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