THE GAME THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING FOR EL TATA AND EL TRI

Tata Martino may be living his last days as the manager for Mexico, as the fans and many pundits have lost faith in the Argentine.#FueraTata became a trending hashtag in the summer of 2021 and has continued to gain steam during the current year.  Not too long ago, however, Martino was the IT coach, the man that would no doubt lead El Tri to that ever-elusive FIFTH game. So when did it go wrong? June 7, 2021. The day and game changed everything for Tata.

For those that don’t remember, that day was the final of CONCACAF’s novel Nation’s League Tournament. Up to that point, Martino’s squad had a record of 23 wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses in 26 games. El Tri scored 61 goals and only received 22 goals during that time (not counting the two PK games vs Costa Rica), tallying 11 shutouts, two of those shutouts coming against the USA. Wins against Chile, the Netherlands, Japan, South Korea, and Chile, left fans and the squad flying high! Life was good for El Tata…..then it happened.

It started great for Martino’s men, Tecatito took an early US mistake to the house for the 1-0 lead in the first minute of play. El Tri went on to lose two leads that game and missed a game-tying penalty in the 124th minute. Tata and Mexico have not recovered from that. This game also started Mexico on their current path, a squad that plays with fear and has a lack of depth.

The loss shook Tata’s confidence in his tactics and the fan’s confidence in their manager. #FueraTata started after that game and has only gained traction since. The Gold Cup then took on a lot more importance for El Tata, and he was forced to call his “A” squad for the competition. Many players weren’t able to take a much needed and deserved break, and it showed.  Mexico never looked dominant or confident during that tournament. 

Yet, El Tri made it to the final and had the chance for revenge against an extremely young USA squad. It didn’t happen. Tata started seven players in that game that started in the previous final, the USA only one. One of those new young players for the USA, Miles Robinson, scored the games only goal in overtime, and is currently an undisputed starter during the World Cup Qualifiers. Nine of the players on that USA squad have also seen playing time in the current qualifiers. 

The Nations League Final lead both squads involved down different paths. The USA was able to use the Gold Cup to experiment with young players, giving them valuable game time, and experience. While a pressured Mexican squad was forced to call their best players to try and save face in the aftermath. They failed, and the lack of depth and options has hurt Mexico since.

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