| | |  News Around the Republic of Mexico | July 2009 
Mexico Wary of America's Rise
 Associated Press
go to original
July 03, 2009
 |  | We didn't earn the right to play in the Confederations Cup. But this is not the basic point.
- Decio De Maria |  | | |
Mexico City - Finishing second to Brazil in last weekend's Confederations Cup final boosted the Americans' confidence. It's also led to soul searching in Mexico, which used to be the region's top team.
The United States has risen to No. 12 in the latest rankings by FIFA. Meanwhile, Mexico has slumped to No. 33.
"We didn't earn the right to play in the Confederations Cup," Decio De Maria, the general secretary of the Mexican Football Federation, said on Thursday. "But this is not the basic point. For a long time the United States has maintained stability in its coaching staff. They have put up with the tough times, and have gotten support in tough times. We haven't."
De Maria blamed his own federation for some of the problems, pointing out that Bruce Arena - and now his assistant, Bob Bradley - has been in charge for 11 years.
In the same span, Mexico has had eight coaches.
Javier Aguirre, who took over in April, is the fourth Mexico coach in three years and the fifth since Argentine Ricardo La Volpe was let go after the 2006 World Cup. La Volpe was followed by Hugo Sanchez, Jesus Ramirez and Sven-Goran Eriksson.
Aguirre will be under pressure when Mexico opens play in the Gold Cup against Nicaragua on Sunday in Oakland, California. Aguirre is 1-1 in CONCACAF qualifiers, and has one win and one draw in friendlies.
The Gold Cup is merely a warmup for Mexico. The real focus is on remaining World Cup qualifiers, where Mexico is struggling to reach next year's event in South Africa.
Midway through the final round of qualifying for the North and Central American and Caribbean region, Costa Rica leads with 12 points, followed by the United States with 10, Honduras (7), Mexico (6), El Salvador (5) and Trinidad and Tobago (2).
The top three teams qualify, and No. 4 meets the fifth-place team from South America in a playoff.
Mexico's next qualifier is at home on Aug. 12 against the United States, one of three home matches remaining for El Tri. |
|
| |
Vallarta Weddings
Tell a Friend
Site Map
Print this Page
Email Us