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We started our live podcast at halftime of the Mexico vs Honduras game. We talked the performance and Juan Carlos Osorio and the pressure he may be under. We also touch on the LigaMX upcoming 1st week as well as some transfers such as Chicharito going to West Ham!
Enjoy!
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We had a last minute surprise guest on the podcast today. Wiso Vazquez from FutMexNation joined us. We shared Estadio Azteca stories and experiences as well as discussed the Mexican National Teams recent 2 qualifier games, Osorio’s status as coach and more!
Have a listen!
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This episode we had another guest, Steve Graff! He joined us for the entire discussion as we had loads of fun talking LigaMX. We discussed the Veracruz/Tigres/Tuca sanctions and basically how corruption continues. We talked the Chivas meltdown and how Jaguares continue to play up to their competition. We also discussed the Cruz Azul loss to America. Steve mentioned he is an America fan so we played his special Aguila theme song. Ron was tearing up for his Wilas as well. We also discussed the U-20 Mexican team who loses to US but still beats El Salvador to qualify for the U-20 World Cup.
Thanks for listening!
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We had the honor of having a Canadian guest, Grant Surridge on the show. Grant writes at http://canadiansoccernews.com, so be sure to check him out. He is also on twitter @SCGGrant. Grant gave us some good insight on the Canadian coach and expectations of the team in the upcoming qualifier vs Mexico. Our own John Jagou will be in Vancouver covering the game and action live. We also discuss the Mexican options and potential impact players in this coming up game. We end the show sharing some Press experiences at the recent MLS games in Philadelphia, Dallas and LA.
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In this episode, we discuss the Copa America groups and the teams that Mexico will have to play. We also talk the US, supposed group of death, as well as the other groups. We also deviate into discussing the drama and controversy that the Press brings to the game.
The CCL was ongoing while we were podcasting, so we discuss the CONCACAF tournament and how MLS has been faring vs the LigaMX rivals.
We also discuss the “Clasico Joven” and the Thomas Boy dance controversy. Also Club America discussion of refs and incompetence issues throughout the league. 😀
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Heated competition between MLS and LigaMX teams is upon us. USA vs Mexico. The alleged retirement league vs a Mexican league riddled with mediocre South Americans. Most likely insults will be hurled on the field during this battle of pride. MLS has always fared poorly compared to their Mexican counterparts. Could this year be different?
Mexican-American, Hercules Gomez thinks that MLS can do it. Herc, of course, played in Mexico and beat MLS teams in this very tournament. He even got into heated smak talk and rough play with his American opponents. Now he is in MLS himself, although not in this years tournament. He is quoted as saying, “I hope they(MLS) smash them all” on the mlssoccer.com website. The MLS teams will certainly get their chance.
America vs Seattle Sounders
The Aguilas have been playing decent in LigaMX, but not necessarily lighting it up. They are still a very talented team and could end up causing big problems for Seattle. They may be without Dario Benedetto, one of their offensive players, as well as their starting goalkeeper, Moises Muñoz.
Seattle will have the services on new superstar Jordan Morris, who didn’t believe the “yo estoy en Europa y tu no” hype and signed with the MLS team. Dempsey is another player who could be a difference maker.
Queretaro vs DC United
Queretaro hasn’t been great of late. Look out for their goalkeeper, Tiago Volpi, who has been playing especially bad. On the bright side they do have newcomer, Carlos Fierro, who has been scoring goals since coming from Chivas. Emmanuel Vill will also have to step up.
DC United has always been a CCL contender. They have challenged many Mexican teams in the past, including Pumas and have even won the tournament once before in 1998.
Excuses
The reasoning for the results, be it bad or good, in this tournament is always interesting. For MLS, they are still in preseason form. Herc mentioned that injuries play a part in past MLS failures. Mexican altitude as well has been stated.
For LigaMX teams, Soccer is their sport, the US/MLS has baseball, pointy ball and basketball. There is no reason they should lose to MLS teams. LigaMX teams also have local Clausura tournament to think about. Do they have the roster to double up tournaments? Another reason LigaMX has the upper hand on MLS was mentioned in the same article by Hercules Gomez. LigaMX teams have more depth and talent. Herc says players 1-10 on MLS teams can play against any team in the world, but after that the talent level drops.
Tune in tonight for the start of some potentially entertaining and fiery Soccer.
The Copa America draw took place and groups are ready and in place. Mexico is in group C with Uruguay, Venezuela and Jamaica. Chilean coach Noel Sanvicente, stated Mexico can be considered a favorite. Of course he also praised his team as one not to be underestimated. Psychological warfare may be taking place here, when calling Mexico a favorite. Not that they are in a group of death or anything, but this is a South American tournament including the likes of Brazil, Argentina and Chile. One of the El Tri opponents, Jamaica, is a CONCACAF team that is beatable, Venezuela is not usually a top South American team. Uruguay will be the biggest challenge in the group, on paper.
We know that Mexico plays better when they are considered the underdog or are forced to elevate their play to take on giants like Brazil or Argentina. We have also seen Mexico struggle vs CONCACAF teams that they were supposed to handle without major problems. This tournament is an excellent opportunity for Mexico to shine and show their worth versus the powers of CONMEBOL. Also any type of beating given to Uruguay is a good thing.
The US National Team is also in this tournament. It will take place in the US after all. So Mexico and the US will essentially be the home teams. The USMNT are in group A with Colombia, Costa Rica and Paraguay. We have seen many “Molero” games with the US and Mexico vs Paraguay, so many would see them as a beatable opponent. Costa Rica has been a top team in CONCACAF, and could pose a challenge for the US. Especially at a time where it may be thought that the US is at a low level of play recently. Consider the US already losing the CONCACAF cup as well as the Gold Cup prior, not even making it to the final. Is this the worst US team to be put together for a long time? Also is this Copa America the toughest tournament the US will participate in since the World Cup? Not a good time for the US to come in at a low level of play.
There is always the fighting spirit that the US can rely on. The underdog grit. The “dig deep” attitude that could lift the US up to Copa America glory. On the other hand, I have seen many US adversaries say the US will go “3 and out”, or even chant “I believe that they will lose!”. It should be an exciting tournament.
Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and the United States Head the Four Groups in the Tournament; Seeded Nations to Visit Nine of the Ten Host Markets in Group Play
Miami (Thursday, December 17, 2015) – The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF), the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) and the Copa America Centenario Local Organizing Committee (LOC) announced today the group seeds and game dates for the historic 2016 Copa America Centenario. The once-in-a-lifetime soccer summer event, which honors 100 years of the Copa America tournament, will feature some of the world’s best teams and players competing from June 3-26, 2016, in the United States.
As the host nation, the United States earns the Group A seed, while Argentina, as the highest FIFA-ranked nation in the Americas (per December FIFA rankings), will be seeded top of Group D.
In celebration of the rich soccer tradition in the hemisphere and as the most decorated nations in the last 100 years in international competitions from their respective confederations, the national teams of Brazil and Mexico have also been awarded group seeds, and will head Groups B and C, respectively.
The remaining 12 participating nations will be sorted into the four groups in early 2016 based on a public draw. Seeding for the draw will be based on the December 2015 FIFA World Rankings. Details of groups and procedures for the draw will be announced leading up to that event.
In announcing the seeded teams, organizers also revealed the dates of matches, including the cities each seeded nation will visit, as well as the dates they will play during the group phase of the tournament.
CONCACAF Announces Schedule for Final Stages at CONCACAF Under-20 Women’s Championship Honduras 2015
Miami (Thursday, December 10, 2015) – The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) today confirmed the matchups, schedule and site of the semifinals, third place and final of the CONCACAF Under-20 Women’s Championship Honduras 2015.
Canada will face Mexico in Friday’s first semifinal at 5 pm local time (6 pm ET). In the nightcap, host Honduras takes on the United States at 8 pm (9 pm ET). Both matches, as well as Sunday’s third place match and final, will take place at the Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano in San Pedro Sula.
The winners of Friday’s semifinals will advance to Sunday’s final, and also qualify directly to the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup Papua New Guinea 2016. The winner of Sunday’s third place match also qualifies for next year’s World Cup in this category.
The United States earned a 6-0 victory over Haiti on Wednesday at the Escuela Internacional Sampedrana, lifting the Americans into first place in Group B on goal difference over Mexico, which defeated Panama 2-0, earlier in the day.
Group A winner Canada – the only team earn a perfect nine points in the group stage — awaits Mexico in the final four. Host Honduras qualified from Group A on superior goal differential over Jamaica, assuring that nation’s best-ever result in a CONCACAF women’s event with a ticket to the World Cup still to play for.
CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship Honduras 2015 – Revised Schedule *Listed in ET (local time)
Friday, December 11, 2015 – Estadio Olímpico Metropolitano (Semi-finals)
6:00pm (5:00pm) Canada vs. Mexico 9:00pm (8:00pm) United States vs. Honduras
Sunday, December 13, 2015 – Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano (Third Place and Final)
4:00pm (3:00pm) Loser SF 1 vs. Loser SF 2 7:00pm (6:00pm) Winner SF 1 vs. Winner SF
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Today is the day Mexico plays a weakened El Salvador team in the grand Estadio Azteca. El Salvador has historically been one of the weaker teams in CONCACAF. After some player disputes, many of the experienced players refused to play so the El Salvador team will take on even younger and less experienced players. Making this team an even weaker opponent for Mexico, possibly.
What does this mean for Mexico?
Maybe Mexico doesn’t see the urgency when playing agains lower level teams or they expect a goal to eventually come, relatively easily. When Mexico plays Brazil, Spain or other bigger teams, they usually play with “garra”, “ganas” and give a good performance.
Mexico knows the problems the El Salvador federation is having. Many are asking not if Mexico will win, but how many goals they will score. Even if Chicharito will reach Borgetti’s record.
We have seen multiple lineups released by different sources. New players on defense, variety of combinations on offense. Chicharito on the bench possibly, along with Layun. Usually during friendlies you will see experimentation by NT coaches, trying out new lineups, formations, etc. This is the beginning of World Cup Qualifying. A legitimate tournament. Sure it’s a weakened El Salvador, but is it arrogant to put one lineup today and one vs Honduras, even if it’s just 4 player changes? Or is it not that important that a single linup of players gel and get fully used to playing under a new DT and a new strategy? Is this experimentation time or time to buckle up for a hard fought tournament to get to Russia?
Time will tell. Stay tuned tonight!