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The future is bright, right?

June 25th, 2006 | By: John | 26 Comments »

We’ve had time to lick our wounds, shed a few tears, badmouth the bad plays, imagine the what ifs, compose ourselves, and now move on.

This team had a nearly perfect balance of young players, established players, and grizzled veterans. For some, like Borgetti, Sanchez, Pardo, Franco, the window for playing in the world cup has closed. For others like Salcido, Osorio, Marquez, Pineda, Guardado, Perez, Ochoa, they’ll be poised spearhead the campaign for South Africa. There are still others like Kikin, Ramoncito, Bravo, Mendez, Maza who will probably cannot afford to have a drop in form because they will be 4 years older.

The players that are coming up are the most promising group Mexico have ever had. Giovanni dos Santos may be the difference maker Mexican soccer has historically lacked. And his brother is supposed to be even better (he’s 14 now). Carlos Vela and Luis Landin could evolve into a lethal combination up front. And there are many more. Olvera, Sandoval, Esparza, Esquivel …. These players have potential, but as I ‘ve mentioned here before, potential means you ain’t done nothin’ yet.

So as you complete your mourning process, and your life slowly goes back to normal, keep an eye on these youngsters. Let’s see if they can make the little things happen so we can achieve our biggest dreams.

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Comments

Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 26 comments.

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By Rene | June 25th, 2006 at 11:47 pm

The big question now is who will lead them.

I think it has to be either Chucho Ramirez, or someone who has been big in the international front and efective in the world cups.

No Hugo, please. That would be Lavolpe part 2 when it comes to problems with players and the media.

Posted from United States

By Enrique | June 25th, 2006 at 11:51 pm

I totally agree with both of you. The past 13 years or so have been of constant growth fot our football. They coincide with, of course, Menotti’s coming to Mexico and with our participation in both, the Libertadores and the Copa America, in which we have had some outstanding tournaments… yet we hadn’t come out champions, still. Anyways, I hope the FeMexFut will be bright enough to keep the pace and the production of new players. We have what is needed (organization, love for the sport, money, serious teams, success hunger, and so on), otherwise the under-17 generation may turn out to be the Mexican version of Nigeria, Turkey (that is, once in a lifetime, and that’s it)

Posted from Mexico

By Enrique | June 26th, 2006 at 12:00 am

An as for the leader… The problem with LaVolpe is mainly his temper, the way he deals with the press and, believe it or not, the way he treats players. Javier Aguirre, who was coached by LaVolpe at the end of his career, said that he (LaVolpe) is the leader and leaves no one else to have that role, which becomes a problem during a game, when you need leaders ON the field. With Hugo, as a stupendous motivator as he may be, it would be the same thing: The flashes are to be on him, not on the team or on any player. On the other hand, Chucho, who is also a great motivator (he uses a technic called something like “mind-setting”), he is clever enough to let the players bright and be the center of the attention. I agree that Chucho Ramírez should be the man.

Posted from Mexico

By bunburina | June 26th, 2006 at 12:06 am

Who says Mexicans can’t agree on anything?? I totally agree, the future is veeeery bright!! We have some amazing talent coming from the sub-17 team and if you add to that mix some more mature and experience players of this World Cup, then we’ll have a killer team.

And yes, please, please, PLEASE don’t let Hugo be the next coach. It’s time to have a Mexican coach and the best option is Chucho Ramírez, he may be lacking experience with the professional national teams, but hey, we have 4 years to pracice.

Posted from Mexico

By Martin | June 26th, 2006 at 2:04 am

I was hoping Mexico would beat Argentina and I tell you what, Mexico played one heck of a game. Unlucky not to win or at least get penalties.

Well played Mexico.

By Rene | June 26th, 2006 at 2:41 am

Bunburina:

Actually, he would have only 2 years to practice. Once the qualifiers start, he has to produce… just remember the Ojitos Meza experiment.

Posted from United States

By Big-Baller-Shot-Caller | June 26th, 2006 at 3:15 am

Agreed. Consider this: experience is overrated. Who would have thought Guardado’s first start in center midfield against the best midfield in the world would be rousing success. The answer: we did. He is 19yrs old. So what.

The biggest mistake Lavolpe made was going with too many veterans. In that sense I disagree with John. Again, I am not a Chivas fan, but look what happened when they believed in their youth program.

The bottom line is the sooner they get this youth movement going the sooner we win a world cup. The clubs are finally preparing the lads, and the clubs are finally believing in them. By next world cup we should have a fire storm of controversies about who should be picked because so many young players will be deserving.

This much we know. Lavolpe erred badly in taking Claudio Suarez, Chiquis, Arellano. Those three slots should have been for young lads. If you believe in youth they respond. That is what Argentina and Brazil have known for ages.

The U-17 seleccion is a dream come true.

Posted from United States

By Fabio | June 26th, 2006 at 3:22 am

Very bright future.

I just hope HUgo Sanchez is NOT the next coach. The guy is nothing but drama. Willl be La Volpe magnified x 2.

I did enjoy wathcing the offensive minded play La Volpe brought to the TRI.

In the past the Mexican teams were more defensive minded.

It was great wathcing the team leading up to the cup and while in the tournament.

VERY bright future. Lady luck was noton our side this time.

Posted from United States

By Big-Baller-Shot-Caller | June 26th, 2006 at 3:47 am

I have some final analysis brewing. Just give it another few hours and some more chellas.

Stay tuned fellas.

Posted from United States

By Rene | June 26th, 2006 at 4:36 am

Big Baller… I kind of disagree on you with the experience part.

I do believe experienced players should be in there, but only those who will actually be able to play in the match.

Bt the way… while I really like Rafa Marquez, I don’t think he is the best leader. Oswaldo is far more vocal… but I still miss someone like Beto Garcia Aspe on the midfield.

If you don’t believe me, look at the Netherlands meltdown… they had a great qualifying run, but once they got into the World Cup, it was complete meltdown, why? They had few stabilizing players. The onyl real veterans were Van Der Saar and Cocu, and those two are not the forceful one with personality. The one with the personality was actually sitting at the bench (Van Basten)

Posted from United States

By Davizinho | June 26th, 2006 at 5:10 am

Guardado is my heroe…I hope he develops more and heads to Europe..a starter in portugal…french league for his first experience would be good.

I want to see Vela and GIovanni get called up for copa america. WE need a world class finisher and a world class midfielder…those were the only differences between the teams on saturday…they beat us because of their individual skill. as a team we do great, but we need world class players that can play well as a team and make that last individual play that can define a game.

Posted from United States

By steve | June 26th, 2006 at 5:43 am

i was really happy with mexicos performance, and the loss was bitter, but theres alot to look forward to.

Now that mexico is out, what happens to this blog? Are there going to be more posts? i was new here to begin with…i dont know how its gonna work

Posted from United States

By Hans | June 26th, 2006 at 5:59 am

Well, after the results…

See why it was important to WIN against Angola and Portugal? We could be in the quarters now! Holland played crap all the Cup… and, so sorry, Käsköpfe, Mexico would have swept yo’butt off the field with a performance like that against Argentina. Maradona wanted to cry, and Pekerman is considering giving Maxi his eldest daughter in marriage.
Jugamos como nunca, perdimos como siempre.
As for the future… Let’s just hope we don’t end up like Portugal’s “golden generation”… winning everything but what really counts. I would say: Let Chucho take them to the U20, then the Olympics, then set a two-tiered, process that would see us in the final for 2014. It can be done. These guys stopped Messi, Riquelme AND Tévez, the 3 best forwards in the world today (Abramovich could buy all 3 and Dinho and make Chelski Master of the ****ing Universe). Hope springs eternal… no se pudo, pero algún día se podrá.

Posted from Mexico

By Milo Riano | June 26th, 2006 at 8:14 am

I am sure they have a bright future. I am impressed with Mexico’s heart…

http://fifaworldcup.sporati.com/results-2nd-stage-argentina-vs-mexico.page

Posted from United States

By Big-Baller-Shot-Caller | June 26th, 2006 at 8:53 am

Well said Hans!

To Rene: of course experience is important. You might have misunderstood.

Consider that these few players never got on the field. They clearly were either slow, or past their prime. The truth is that Lavolpe realized this and to his credit made the correct adjustments and did not play the old guys and knew his ace in the hole was Guardado and Castro and Ramon responding to their number being called.

Just consider what Hans said: I am not second guessing every move Lavolpe or why Mexico lost but if this truly was a process: why take re-treads when you already have plenty of veteran leadership in Rafa, Pardo, Sanchez and Borgetti. In a true process the biggest beneficiaries would have been (as I have been saying all along) Landin, Santana, Bofo, Diego Martinez. They are all better options off the bench.

Again, if you believe in your youth, and you prepare them and you give them all the benefit and confidence than more times than not you will be surprised in their abilities. Proof. Guardado and Castro, both real young guys get one start together and the team looks amazing. Unfortunately, had we seen them in more than one game together we might still be in the World Cup because the Angola and Portugal game were really winnable games.

Posted from United States

By Paul | June 26th, 2006 at 9:26 am

LA12, poor little redneck don’t be sad that the wetbacks are spreading like wild fire in the Oh soooo Powerful Nation. Rejoice as soon you will be the minority clutching you crisp confederate flag praying for forgiveness to your great forefathers who built this wonderous nation. HMMM,its a little like what you guys did to the native americans a couple of years ago isn’t it? Lets see, back then you were the wetbacks as we crossed a river,YOU on the other hand crossed entire ocean. “Go back to your country” they cried “as all you do is destroy OUR land”. But theres just one little part missing, I bet your forefathers never thought it would come back and bite them in the arse?!!! And who would’ve thought it would be those damn indians? Revenge is SWEEEEEEEEEETTTTTT!!!! GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!!

Posted from United States

By arcturus | June 26th, 2006 at 7:34 pm

When I witnessed the performance by the U-17 team, I was amazed. I was mostly impressed by Giovani Dos Santos. I thought: a Mexican crack! after all these years! He promises to be the best Mexica player since Hugo Sanchez. And the clockwork efficiency of that team…amazing. Since that tournament, my sights are ser on South Africa. I was convinced that, once again, this would not be our cup given the team’s inconsistency.
But just look at what is happening with all these young players…some going to Europe to develop further in Spain and England…Now we see new talent emerging outside the U-17 team (Salcido, Guardado, Landin, Corona) who may also catch the eye of European teams. This may truly be the best Mexican team of all time. Further, Mexico’s exposure to South American tournaments-at the national team and club levels-have been pivotal. I believe Mexico will soon become the continent’s third powerhouse. I am very optimistic. The only thing I fear is that the Mexican Federation does something to ruin our dreams.

Posted from Mexico

By Bulgatti | June 27th, 2006 at 2:31 am

I’ve been readin the Argentinians blog. Boy, they sound like if they can beat anyone in the world. They mentioned how can their team allowed Mexico to play them that way. Like if they can do better than that. Shit!!! Argentina thinks they are better then Brazil. I just can’t wait for Germany to kick their ass. After Germany vs. Argentina, Argentina you better start packing. Argentina is overrated!!!

By Jess | June 27th, 2006 at 3:19 am

I for one think that our level of futbol has reached a point where we need just one thing to join the top teams in the world. We have the skills, the technical ability, the strategy, the fitness, a good defence, good goalkeepers, a decent midfield, a great league that only rivals europe, and plenty of improving younger generations, what Mexico needs is top world class strikers can can define a game with individual plays.

For all those that dont know, we have an awesome U-17 who will be ready to participate in south africa, and even better, A WHOLE BUNCH of kids who are great natural strikers that can produce the type of goals we saw from Argentina.

South Africa will see a COMPLETE Mexican squad for the 1st time in history.

By Rene | June 27th, 2006 at 3:57 am

This is a very intersting tidbit by Menotti about Mexico. Good food for thought:

http://espndeportes.espn.go.com/news/story?id=454422

Posted from United States

By chaz | July 1st, 2006 at 3:58 pm

Mexico Is A better team then the USA And i said because it’s true and i’m american

Posted from United States

By josue | December 7th, 2006 at 2:18 pm

paul ur fucking gay

Posted from United States

By ted | December 8th, 2006 at 12:48 am