eltri2022

[eltri2022]

El Tri gears up for March Friendlies

The Mexican National Football team will come back to action as they have two upcoming friendly games against Chile on the 22nd in San Diego and Paraguay on the 26th in Santa Clara. 

New recently named Mexico manager, el Argentino Gerardo “Tata” Martino, has summoned his first group of players as he prepares to make his managerial debut with the national team. 

When I first heard the rumors that “Tata” was expected to become el Tri’s new manager I became surprised and when it was confirmed I was impressed with the decision to hire a manager of his type. Here is an individual with hefty coaching experience who has witnessed everything in the game -- from coaching Newell’s, club from his native Argentina, to a Copa Libertadores semis to coaching new MLS side Atlanta United to a league title; from coaching FC Barcelona in the Champions League to coaching Argentina and their star player, Lionel Messi. 

Of all his accomplishments, the most notable one in the eyes of few is what he accomplished when coaching the Paraguay national team in 2010, and how he lead them to the World Cup quarterfinals. His ability to help pave a way that led Paraguay to a top eight finish is a remarkable story and is something Mexican football covets in order to continue growing as a football nation. 

After all these experiences, “Tata” is about to embark on a new journey with Mexico and in hoping to start on the right foot he has selected a group of 29 players to help kick off this new journey as the principle objective is to lead el Tri to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

When analyzing the group of players pictured above, of the 29 names there are 13 names here: Guillermo Ochoa, Hector Moreno, Edson Alvarez, Miguel Layun, Carlos Salcedo, Jonathan Dos Santos, Jesus Gallardo, Erick Gutierrez, Andres Guardado, Tecatito Corona, Chicharito, Chucky Lozano and Raul Jimenez.

One might note that they are, “Los mismos de siempre” (The same ones as always), yes those 13 were there when el Tri shocked the world and defeated the 2014 reigning champions Germany 1-0 in the 2018 World Cup edition this past summer, but they were also there when el Tri poorly lost to Sweden 3-0 in the final group stage match suffering a scare of elimination but then relieved and then ultimately bowing out of the 2018 World Cup edition losing to Brazil 2-0 in the round of 16 game. 

Over the past several years the expectations for the national team have been so high that they are expected to achieve some type of positive feat, but each time it completely backfires as the team has delivered poor results thus prompting the Mexican fanbase to become dejected, disappointed, and frustrated when the results are the same and that its always the same players present during those results.

But it is important to highlight that there are new young players knocking on the door and ready to compete for a spot on the national team. Of these players there are 10 under the age of 23, a sign el Tri is ready to give an opportunity to youngsters and prepare them to become national team material. 

Players like Lainez, Alvarado, Lozano, Guzman, Guti, Edson are notable U23 individuals who are emerging as players to be considered for the national team for years to come, in addition there are also players over 23 and under 30 like Salcedo, Gallardo, and Pizarro who are there to supplement & strengthen the squad. The combination of these players represent a pathway to change because it’s a mix of players who are barely having their first taste of the national team, and players who already have one World Cup under their belt. It’s an ideal mix which gives “Tata” a solid group to work with in the coming years. 

There are also players like Chivas’ Alexis Vega, Club America’s Jorge Sanchez, and Monterrey’s Charly Rodriguez who received their first call ups to the national team and who look to prove they deserve a spot on the team. You also have the return of Gallito Vazquez and Chapito Montes who have been absent from el Tri for about 4 years. 

Without a doubt these group of players provide “Tata” with a mix of experience & youth to help build a foundation for el Tri and make them competitive for years to come....and of course to help him win his first games as debuting manager for Mexico