Mexico vs USA The Aftermath What Went Wrong…AGAIN

Little did I know a little less than a month ago, that I would be having to do this again. Mexico once again lost a final to their bitter enemy, and this one stung more. El Tri didn’t bulldoze through the competition like many expected and has left many with more questions than answers. But, what went wrong……again.

MEXICO WAS ROPE-A-DOPED

For those unfamiliar with the term click this link.

El Tri dominated the whole first half and the majority of the second half. They out possessed the Americans 64% to 36% and played most of the game in the opponent half. The USA looked comfortable drawing Mexico in, withstanding their constant attacks and hitting them on counter-attacks. The Yanks then hit the ultimate counterpunch in overtime, with a worn-out Mexican squad getting caught out of position and resorting to a tactical foul that led to the game-winning goal.

SET PIECE NIGHTMARES

As in the earlier match-up, The USA was at their most dangerous during corner kicks and set-piece plays. Again, Mexico won the corner battle with 11 corners won and six against. Still, they were inefficient attacking set pieces and defending them. It appears Tata and his staff have forgotten to work on this crucial part of the game. Berhalter’s men had already warned Mexico in the 73rd minute when a set-piece play from an almost identical spot on the field nearly resulted in the game’s first goal.

GENERATIONAL SHIFT

Mexico is about two years behind their counterparts in their respective generational shifts. In both Finals the teams recently disputed, the average age for the starting lineups was 24.27 for the Americans and 29.45 for Mexico. Six players in El Tri’s starting eleven were 30 or older. Unfortunately for Los Aztecas, the answer isn’t in the Olympics, as eight players currently in Japan were on the team that lost the Nations League.

NO BITE

This game was the definition of the saying, “Hard work beats talent when talent won’t work hard.” El Tri was vastly more talented than the US squad they faced. The Yankees, however, outworked Mexico throughout the whole game. They were disciplined and followed their rotations and assignments to a T.While Mexico relied on talent to break down the American defense, once they got past one player, there was one or two more there ready to meet them. 

STILL NO #9 INSIGHT

Let’s be honest, Funes Mori was a stop-gap for this tournament and until another forward steps up. There is only one #9 that fits Tata’s scheme and he is slowly working his way back. No other forward can do what Jimenez does for El Tri. While Funes Mori’s numbers aren’t anything to scoff at he scored three goals in five games averaging .6 goals per game. Tata will have to do some serious scouting to find a suitable replacement while he waits to see if Jimenez can regain his form.

NOW WHAT?

Again, we are left asking, now what? And again, I believe the answer is simple. While many are jumping on the #TATAOUT bandwagon, that is not the answer. Let’s get real here, you really want to replace a guy whose record is 29-3-4 and has the highest PPG(Points Per Game) of any manager El Tri has had, a month before World Cup Qualifying starts? Even if your answer is yes (WHY?) who can you trust to bring in? Now, before you say, Lozano, I suggest you look at the records managers coaching El Tri’s youth squads have when they manage a senior squad. Tata is the right manager for Mexico’s current state, and while back-to-back losses to the United States hurt the soul of every Mexican fan, remember, El Futbol da Revanchas, and the qualifiers will be the perfect opportunity.

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El Tri Online was founded in December 2017 to serve English-speaking fans of Mexican Soccer. Our mission is to create compelling Mexican soccer content and share it via our website, streaming apps, social media, and any other medium for English-dominant Mexican-American fans of the Mexican National Team, Liga MX, and their players.

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