All Things Mexico

Let's be honest, El Tri failed to meet extremely high expectations this summer. What was expected of the Mexican national team was to excel in all competitions, but they fell flat at the Copa America Centenario and the Rio Olympic Games.

Competing in the Copa America in the team’s ‘second home’, the United States, fans and spectators alike believed El Tri had a chance to make history in the competition. 

They were one of the early favorites. With a win over Uruguay and the top dogs, Brazil, crashing out early, they had a chance but blew it. 

Mexico enter their final two games of the fourth round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying assured of their place in the fifth and final round, the ‘Hex’. However, their matches against El Salvador and Honduras will not be taken lightly by Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio, for whom they present something of a poisoned chalice. 

Two victories are expected, but any slip-up against the sides ranked 137th and 84th in the world would only magnify the hurt of Mexico’s last competitive match — that 7-0 defeat to Chile in the Copa America Centenario quarter-finals.

America completed a perfect group stage in the Apertura 2016 Copa MX by defeating Zacatecas 2-0 on Wednesday night. The highlight of the match was certainly Ecuadorian attacker Michael Arroyo’s ridiculous scissor kick in the 24th minute. 

With qualification for the knockout stage already secured, you could’ve forgiven America for looking ahead to Saturday’s Super Clasico against Chivas. With neither side in particularly inspiring Liga MX form going into the showdown, America’s unblemished record in the Copa could give them some vital momentum.

Porto are in through the qualifying rounds to the Champions League group stage after defeating Roma (who by the end were playing with nine) 3-0, with the second and third goals being scored by Miguel Layun and Tecatito Corona, respectively.

First, Layun made Wojciech Szczesny look like a sillyhead and rounded the Roma keeper for an easy finish. 

Carlos Salcedo’s remarkable rise from unknown youngster training with Major League Soccer’s Real Salt Lake to representing the Mexico national team with regularity reached another milestone on Sunday. Chivas Guadalajara confirmed that the 22-year-old defender will spend the year on loan with Italy’s Fiorentina.

Alfredo Talavera owes Erick Gutierrez a debt of gratitude. Talavera made the mistake that allowed Fiji to go 1-0 up on Mexico Sunday, and for a while it looked like Fiji might pull out the Olympic upset to end all Olympic upsets.

Tijuana's Aviles Hurtado had a very good Saturday. How do we know this? Because it's always a good day when you score a goal like this:

Avilés Hurtado adelanta a Xolos con un remate espectacular. https://t.co/Q4krYqEKOU

— Univision Deportes (@UnivisionSports) August 6, 2016