The El Tri legend thinks Mexico’s young talent is being let down by unprepared coaches
Former Mexico star Rafa Márquez has said poor coaching is to blame for the U.S. men’s national team surpassing El Tri on the field in recent years.
The USMNT comfortably defeated Mexico 2-0 in last month’s Concacaf Nations League final, stretching its unbeaten run against El Tri to a program-record seven games (five wins, two draws).
Márquez has said that the issue stems from a lack of quality coaches across the board in Mexico.
“It is a shame that Mexican soccer does not have prepared coaches, that above all we do not have trainers prepared to train this talent that we have in Mexico,” Márquez said at a press conference this week.
“Unfortunately our neighbor, the United States, has surpassed us by a lot.”
Márquez is currently the head coach of Barcelona’s reserve team, and said he felt the need to immediately go to Europe to begin his coaching career after he retired.
“If you want to prepare with the best you have to come where the best are,” the 45-year-old said. “Of course as soon as I finished my career as a footballer I had to come and prepare again as a coach and be with the best. It is a mentality that we have to have more in Mexico to take risks, dare, try.”
After amassing 148 caps with Mexico and playing in five World Cups, Márquez retired in 2018. Márquez was mentioned as a likely successor to Barcelona head coach Xavi, before the club legend made a U-turn this week and opted to stay with the club after previously announcing he would leave at the end of the season.
Sánchez wants out, and the clock is ticking ahead of Friday’s NWSL trade deadline
María Sánchez on Thursday night confirmed reports that she has requested a trade away from the Houston Dash, adding that she wants to leave the club with “immediate” effect.
ESPN initially reported on Sunday that Sánchez, just five months after signing a three-year contract with Houston valued around roughly $1.5 million, had submitted a formal trade request.
The Mexico star took to social media on Thursday to confirm that report, reiterating her desire to leave the Dash in short order. Teams must complete trades within the NWSL by midnight Eastern on Friday, or wait until August 1 to proceed.
“This has all taken a toll and isn’t an easy thing to talk about, but I want to confirm that I’ve requested an immediate trade,” Sánchez posted on X.
“The club has been aware of this since late March and my expectations and reasons have been clear. I trust that my current club’s management will honor my decision in a timely manner and proceed with accepting a trade.”
Upon signing her deal with the Dash in December, Sánchez — who entered last winter’s offseason as a restricted free agent — was at the time the highest-paid player in the entire NWSL.
However, per the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement signed by the NWSL and NWSL Players Association, the Dash were allowed to match any offer another team in the league tendered to Sánchez. A Houston side that struggled for goals throughout 2023 could scarcely afford to lose the Mexico winger, widely considered the club’s best attacking player.
Sánchez has started all four games this season for the Dash, posting one assist. Houston is in 11th place on four points, and is tied with the Portland Thorns (who just announced a coaching change) for the league’s worst defensive record.
The Mexico legend has been called “the chosen one” in Spanish media
Former Mexico international Rafa Márquez has emerged as the leading candidate to replace Xavi as Barcelona head coach, according to multiple reports.
Xavi announced in January that he will step down at the end of the current campaign, which looks likely to end trophy-less after a stunning Champions League elimination at the hands of PSG on Tuesday.
Márquez is waiting in the wings as the coach of Barcelona’s reserve side Barça Atlètic, which is currently fighting for promotion to the second division. The 45-year-old spent seven seasons as a player with the Blaugrana between 2003 and 2010.
After amassing 148 caps with Mexico and playing in five World Cups, Márquez retired in 2018.
According to various reports, Márquez has become the leading contender for a number of reasons.
Sport, which called Márquez “the chosen one” in its report, said that Barça president Joan Laporta remembers the success Barcelona has experienced in the recent past with two other former reserve team managers, Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique (who ironically knocked Barcelona out of the Champions League this year with PSG).
Additionally, the club likes the work Márquez has done with Barcelona’s B team, and also believes his time spent with the club as a player gives him an advantage over other candidates.
Other factors in Márquez’s favor are slightly more practical.
RAC1 journalist Jordi Basté reported that Márquez, who has never served as a senior head coach, would be cheaper than other alternatives and could give Barça more money to spent on players.
ESPN reported that Laporta is only really a fan of two candidates, Pep Guardiola and Jürgen Klopp, who are both considered to be unobtainable.
Other names in the mix include Roberto de Zerbi, Hansi Flick and Thomas Tuchel.
There’s something about this competition that brings out the best in Reyna
Gio Reyna clearly loves the Concacaf Nations League.
The U.S. national team midfielder was named the best player of the Nations League after scoring in Sunday’s 2-0 win over Mexico in the final.
That performance followed a star showing in the semifinal against Jamaica, as the 21-year-old came off the bench to assist two Haji Wright goals in extra time of a 3-1 win.
With the USMNT up a goal thanks to a rocket from Tyler Adams before the break on Sunday, Reyna all but put the game out of reach against Mexico at AT&T Stadium.
Following some excellent work on the left flank from Christian Pulisic, Mexico could only clear as far as Reyna, who smashed a half volley to the near post that Guillermo Ochoa couldn’t reach.
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 25, 2024
Even as his loan at Nottingham Forest continues to be a massive struggle, Reyna once again found his best level with the USMNT.
“It never gets old winning titles with your country so I won’t take anything for granted,” Reyna told CBS Sports after the game. “I’m so happy for the guys and how they played today and how we fought through adversity. It was just a great game and I’m so happy for everyone.
“The group of guys and the energy we have here, it’s amazing. I always love coming to camp. I really mean it from the bottom of my heart. It’s a great group of guys and they’re so great to work with and be around. I can’t really say much more, I’m at a loss for words right now. It’s an honor to play with these guys and for my country.”
There’s something about this competition that brings out the best in Reyna, who had one of the best performances of his USMNT career in last year’s Nations League final against Canada.
Even as his club future continues to be murky, Reyna’s national team displays mean his role as a prominent member of this USMNT is unquestionable.
Concacaf bragging rights are once again up for grabs as the USMNT faces its biggest rival, Mexico
The U.S. men’s national team will face arch-rivals Mexico Sunday night in the Concacaf Nations League final at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
The USMNT comes into this match after Thursday’s unusual 3-1 extra-time win over Jamaica. The U.S. conceded in the first minute and trailed well into second-half stoppage time, yet ended up with a multiple-goal win after Gio Reyna and Haji Wright took over in extra time.
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Mexico beat Panama 3-0 in the other semifinal, though the scoreline again doesn’t quite paint an accurate picture. El Tri certainly looked dangerous going forward, but conceded some big chances defensively.
The USMNT has been rather unimpressive since late last year, but has been on one of its best-ever runs against Mexico. A six-game unbeaten run matches the longest such streak for the U.S., with El Tri not winning a match between the sides since a September 2019 friendly.
Gregg Berhalter’s side is aiming to make it three Nations League titles from three tournaments, while Mexico will look for revenge after losing to the USMNT in a dramatic 2021 final.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the match.
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The USMNT will aim for its third straight Nations League title on Sunday
Mexico head coach Jaime Lozano has said there will be no favorites when his side meets the U.S. men’s national team in the Concacaf Nations League final.
The USMNT barely got past Jamaica on Thursday night, posting a 3-1 win in extra time to reach the showpiece on Sunday. On the other hand, Mexico earned a 3-0 win over Panama in its semifinal match.
That set up a high-profile clash on Sunday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The USMNT will be looking to make it three Nations League titles out of three, while Mexico will aim for some revenge after the U.S. won an epic 2021 final in extra time.
Though the USMNT will enter Sunday’s match on a six-game unbeaten run against its biggest rival, Lozano said after the Panama match that the final could go either way.
“There are no favorites,” Lozano said. “Whoever does things better and tries to recover better will be best prepared for the final. Both teams are intent on winning the trophy. There are a lot things for us to improve.”
Lozano: Panama scoreline was misleading
Though the scoreline would seem to indicate a comfortable win against Panama, Lozano felt that his side was not three goals better than LosCanaleros on the night.
“It’s soccer and we made mistakes,” Lozano said. “Luckily for us, they couldn’t take advantage of them. We made some important interceptions to stop them. The final score is very misleading, but we were resolute, we knew how to withstand pressure, remain calm and make the most of our opportunities.”
Mexico was outshot 18-6 on the night and conceded 59 percent of the possession, though El Tri did have a 6-5 advantage in shots on goal. But the match could have been very different were it not for some stellar second-half saves from Guillermo “Memo” Ochoa.
“The important thing is to get results. In international tournaments, getting through the group stage is life or death, and you have to learn to withstand pressure and take advantage of your opportunities, your moments, and be efficient in both penalty areas,” Lozano said. “We had a bit of luck when Panama weren’t able to take their chances. Some were saved by Memo Ochoa. But we were resolute.”
The USWNT was stunned by Mexico last month at the W Gold Cup
U.S. Soccer has announced that the U.S. women’s national team will face Mexico in a July 13 friendly at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J.
The USWNT will get a quick chance for revenge against Mexico, which stunned its rival to the north in the W Gold Cup last month. The 2-0 defeat was just the second time that the USWNT lost to Mexico out of 43 total meetings.
The U.S. would eventually go on to win the Gold Cup anyway, defeating Brazil 1-0 in the final earlier this month.
Prior to the friendly in New Jersey, the legendary World Cup-winning team from 1999 will be honored on the field to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the historic victory.
“This will be a fun and inspirational weekend,” said U.S. Soccer president Cindy Parlow Cone, who was also a member of the 1999 team. “The fans will get the chance to show their support for the team before they head to France while also celebrating our 1999 Women’s World Cup team.
“This is a group of women who did so much for the sport and the impact of that team and tournament is still being felt 25 years later, especially as we bid for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. I can’t wait to see my teammates and friends.”
The match against Mexico will also serve as the penultimate game for the USWNT prior to the 2024 Olympics. On Wednesday, the U.S. learned that it will face Germany, Australia, and either Zambia or Morocco in the Olympic group stage.
After the Mexico game, the USWNT will have one final send-off friendly before heading to France ahead of its Olympic opener on July 25.
Both sides will be looking to go one step further after they each lost at the semifinal stage of this competition last year
Mexico will face Panama on Thursday night in a Concacaf Nations League semifinal at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Both sides will be looking to go one step further after they each lost at the semifinal stage of this competition last year. Panama fell to Canada, while Mexico was defeated by arch-rival United States.
This time around, Mexico barely advanced past Honduras on penalties in the quarterfinal, while Panama impressively knocked off Costa Rica by a 6-1 aggregate scoreline in their quarterfinal matchup.
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Panama will be looking to gain some revenge on Mexico after falling to ElTri in last year’s Gold Cup final.
The winner of this match will face the winner of the USA’s semifinal against Jamaica in Sunday’s final, while the two losers will meet Sunday in the third-place game.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the match.
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Of playing under Martino, the Mexico star said: “It was like going to the military”
Mexico star Hirving “Chucky” Lozano has slammed former national team coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino, saying that the Argentine treated him and his teammates like children during his tenure.
Martino was in charge of Mexico from 2019 to 2022, when he stepped down immediately after El Tri failed to advance from the World Cup group stage.
The current Inter Miami head coach never seemed to fully embrace his role with Mexico, oftentimes sparring with media over deficiencies within the team and in the Mexican soccer system as a whole.
According to Lozano, the coach didn’t make a great impression with his players either, charging that he instilled a disciplinary style that caused friction between coaches and the team.
“The truth is that for me there were many stumbles in how to handle the national team in every sense,” the PSV attacker told TUDN.
“Tata, for me, the truth is there was never a good connection between the coaching staff and the players, because the truth is that they treated us like little children. It was like going to the military.
“Managing the group like that I think was a very big mistake. For me, the truth is that there were some decisions on their part that were not correct.”
Lozano said that the 2022 World Cup was “the straw that broke the camel’s back” when it came to Martino, adding that when he returned to Napoli, his club at the time, he went through a difficult period of reflection.
“The truth is that the World Cup was the straw that broke the camel’s back,” the 28-year-old said. “Personally, I left very satisfied because I gave my maximum as always, as you can see in the statistics.
“The truth is that I was disappointed, because Mexico did not deserve that. I went into the World Cup very excited and I lived it to the fullest, but it was a very big disappointment.
“I went through a very complicated month when I returned from the World Cup to Napoli, because I didn’t feel like doing anything. It was a very complicated period. I think it was a time to meditate and see what I had done, and the truth is that that World Cup was difficult.”
Now under coach Jaime Lozano, Mexico will face Panama on Thursday in the Concacaf Nations League semifinal. The winner will take on the winner between the U.S. and Jamaica in the final on Sunday.
You’ve got to check this dog out, it’s an excellent dog
Most people, and most animals, are by definition pretty average. Some have a gift or two that set them apart, while others may lack in some categories. The spectrum of possible experiences is vast, but most creatures sit in a pretty narrow sliver of that spectrum.
Every once in a while though, you get to see a true genius at work.
Which of course brings us to a dog on the field in Mexico. The dog in question decided to grace the Liga de Expansión match between Oaxaca and Sinaloa, two teams struggling to qualify for the Apertura playoffs. In other words, the natural venue for such brilliance to reveal itself.
Unfortunately, there is no video showing us the exact beginnings of the joyful sequence below, in which a dog runs off with the ball for about 70 seconds in stoppage time of what became a 4-0 win for Oaxaca. All we know for sure is that, with los Alebrijes pushing for yet another goal on the night, this dog was already racing out onto the field, being pursued by one hapless minder.
Credit: ESPN
Why does a situation exist in which this person, in some kind of stadium staff garb, would find themselves with a dog on what seems like a very long leash? Wouldn’t this game be played without this interruption if the dog were just, not in the stadium?
Look, if those are your concerns, this is not the article for you. Think about it: this dog is on the field! Check out the dog, he’s out there running around! That’s what we’re about here at Pro Soccer Wire.
As the dog announced its presence, Sinaloa goalkeeper Víctor Mendoza came off his line to claim a cross, and had eyes to spring a counter. The referee stopped play, what with the dog being out there, but this seemingly minor stoppage is the spark for some magic.
Mendoza, disappointed to be denied even this one chance to create an attack in the final moments of an ugly loss, glanced down at the dog, and then out of frustration sort of half-heartedly tossed the ball away to no one in particular.
The dog couldn’t quite corral the ball at first, with Sinaloa’s Felipe Félix even getting a touch in the process, but once our hero — this canine conqueror — slowed the ball down, it was time for some classic dog stuff.
The dog got a firm grip on the ball and, despite the original staffer gaining two compatriots, escaped the pressure to expertly move towards space in midfield. With little help coming from the players or referees, who did at least announce three minutes of stoppage time amid all of this, the stadium staffers were repeatedly put in the spin cycle by this excellent dog.
Sensing the moment, the crowd at Estadio Tecnológico de Oaxaca and the match announcer on ESPN began to show their appreciation, giving the staffers the “olé!” treatment as the dog repeatedly evaded attempts to get the game going again.
Oaxaca’s Bryan García tried at one point to slow the dog down, but the forward’s heart just wasn’t in it. For los Dorados, a more serious attempt came from Franco Valentini — who probably at this point just wanted to go home — but nothing could stop this world-class dog from bounding around the pitch.
Finally, after 70 full seconds and a slowly increasing numbers of stadium staffers and just random people chasing fruitlessly after this playful dog, Oaxaca’s Julio César Cruz slowed the dog down long enough that a herd of people could remove the dog (and presumably the ball, which by now the dog seemed to have possibly lodged its teeth into) from the field.
After the match, Oaxaca gave the world an important update: the dog is fine.
“Our new best friend, he is doing well and is with us at Templo Alebrije after having debuted in Liga de Expansión,” read an Instagram post from Oaxaca after the match.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CxuhrlROWlL/
Oaxaca’s big win — on the field, not the fact that the club was clearly blessed by this dog — pushed the club into a tie for the final Liga de Expansión playoff spot.
