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There's never a dull moment when these two CONCACAF giants face off, especially when a ticket to the Confederations Cup is on the line.
In one of the most anticipated soccer matches in North America, Mexico, winners of the 2015 Gold Cup, face off against the United States, winners of the 2013 Gold Cup, in a playoff match that will definitely have a long-term impact on the future development and success of both teams.
This is the first playoff match of its kind, with past winners of the Gold Cup automatically winning a Confederations Cup berth, without having to go through a playoff. In this new format, everyone expected as much that the U.S.A. was going to face Mexico, but who will most likely win the ticket to the 2017 Confederations Cup in Russia? Let's take a look.
Here are five reasons why Mexico has the chance to win:
1. European Experience:
Mexico comes into the match with many Mexican interationals playing soccer in Europe's greatest leagues.
Not only are they plying their trade in soccer's premier leagues, but they are actually getting playing time at their respective teams.
No longer is Chicharito warming the bench at Manchester United or Real Madrid. No longer is Carlos Vela, sadly, hanging out at pubs in London, hoping that Arsenal will give him the chance he deserves. Or Jonathan dos Santos hoping to break into a Barcelona team that includes Xavi and Iniesta. Nope. Now they are playing for teams that actually give them playing time and the experience needed to make El Tri successful.
Tuca Ferretti has called up 11 european-based players: Diego Reyes (Real Sociedad), Hector Moreno (PSV), Rafa Marquez (Hellas Verona), Miguel Layun (Porto), Jonathan Dos Santos (Villareal), Hector Herrera (Porto), Andres Guardado (PSV), Jesus “Tecatito” Corona (Porto), Javier Hernandez (Bayer Leverkusen), Carlos Vela (Real Sociedad) and Raul Jimenez (Benfica). These players are notably playing in La Liga, the Eredivisie , Seria A, the Primeira Liga and the Bundesliga.
2. Tuca Ferretti
Even though Mexico lost the charismatic Miguel “El Piojo” Herrera after their Gold Cup win, Ricardo “Tuca” Ferretti has settled into his stride as the interim head coach.
The Brazilian born coach once said he would rather do anything else but coach El Tri, and, surprisingly, in El Tri’s time of need it was he who would step up and take on that leadership role.
He’s coached two matches so far in preparation for the Americans, tying both of the games, a 3-3 draw against Trinidad and Tobago and a 2-2 draw agaisnt Argentina.
The highlight of his tenure so far has to be the match against Messi and co. Mexico was winning 2-0 until the 80th minute, having played tough, possession-style soccer that almost led them to a win against the South Americans.
Sergio “Kun” Aguero entered the match and that all changed. Argentina was able to tie in the last 10 minutes of the match. Not bad for a coach who had less than two months to prepare for his new role.
Tuca is known for getting the most out of his teams. The man is known for getting his teams to play more possession-style soccer, something that will be to the benefit of El Tri.
This style of soccer will be great against an American side more inclined to implement high pressure-style soccer. Klinsmann favors that style of play, but against a Mexico side led by Tuca and his disciplined, possession-oriented soccer, it’ll be tough for the Americans to beat El Tri.
Tuca has the pedigree to be the Head Coach of Mexico. He’s done wonders in his five years with Tigres. Most recently, Tuca led Tigres to a Clausura championship in 2014 and to the final of the 2015 Copa Libertadores. Tuca is a competitor and will be eager to end his short stint with El Tri on a positive note.
Many believe that Tuca will return to El Tri in the future, permanently, as the Head Coach. In order for him to do so, he’ll want to leave his mark on El Tri with a place at the Confederations Cup. I imagine this is his way of giving us a taste of what could be. If that’s the case, his return to El Tri after their match against the U.S.A., will be that much sweeter.
3. Team Chemistry
Not only is Tuca taking 11 European based players, but he’s also putting faith in several players from his club team: Javier Aquino, Jose Arturo Rivas, Israel Jimenez, and Jorge Torres Nilo.
This is great for Mexico because not only does the team have quality, but team chemistry will be at an all-time high, considering four other players that were called up play at Porto: Hector Herrera, Diego Reyes (on-loan at Real Sociedad), Miguel Layun and Jesus “Tecatito” Corona. Porto has become the new home for Mexican internationals playing abroad and it will play to Mexico’s favor.
International competitions are tough because players only have a short amount of time to practice with their teammates, and then after the international break is over, they won’t see each other for a few months. That’s typically how it goes. Not for El Tri though, because four players play together at Porto, four play at Tigres, two at Real Sociedad and two at PSV. The team is already a close-knit group, but it's more likely they’ll all be on the same page once they go out and play against the U.S.A.
4. 2015 Gold Cup Champions
Not only does Mexico have the quality, team chemistry and leadership to get a win against the United States, they also are coming into the match in better form. The United States had a disappointing 2015 Gold Cup campaign, losing 2-1 against Jamaica in the semifinals and against Panama in the third-place match.
The USA have also done poorly in their friendlies coming into the match, most notably losing 4-1 against Brazil. They have truly been knocked off of the top of the CONCACAF totem pole, a position they’ve held since their 2013 Gold Cup win. Even though Mexico had a very controversial Gold Cup campaign, Mexico has returned to the top, with their 2015 Gold Cup. They come into the match with great form.
5. Carlos Vela and Chicharito’s Partnership
We didn’t really get to see their partnership in its full brilliance during the Gold Cup. We did get a taste of what it could be in the match against Holland in the 2014 friendly. In that match, Carlos Vela scored a brilliant brace and Chicharito scored once, both playing a large part in El Tri being successful in that match. The two forwards can work together to great effect in their match against the USA and their partnership can very well book Mexico a place in the 2017 Confederations Cup.
