Mexico maps out World Cup plans
The geography is a little twisted to be sure. But then the best way to get from one point to another isn’t always by following a straight line.
Especially if you want to win some soccer games once you get to the World Cup.
That’s why Nestor de la Torre, the director of national teams for the Mexican soccer federation, has mapped out an arduous itinerary for his country’s World Cup team, one that will take it to at least 11 cities in five countries before landing in South Africa for this summer’s tournament.
It’s a 29,000-mile journey that begins Wednesday night when a young, inexperienced Mexican team takes on Bolivia at San Francisco’s Candlestick Park.
“You can have the best practice systems, but competition is what will ultimately allow you to grow and play better soccer,” De la Torre said. “We looked for the best teams in the world, world champions that have star players that we believe we will get a lot out of to take with us down the final stretch and be ready for June.”
But the team De la Torre and Coach Javier Aguirre chose for Wednesday’s “friendly” will bear little resemblance to the one Mexico will likely select in May, when World Cup rosters are due. Among the missing here are goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, defender Rafael Marquez, midfielders Giovani dos Santos and Andres Guardado and forwards Omar Bravo, Nery Castillo and Carlos Vela.
All but Ochoa and Bravo are playing overseas, which makes call-ups difficult. But De la Torre said the young roster Mexico will use Wednesday -- nine of the 18 players have fewer than five international caps -- serves a purpose by allowing the coaching staff to get a closer look at some players who may be ready to challenge for a national team berth. “We divided the preparation process into two parts,” De la Torre said. “The first part includes matches that will help us observe the players, matches that are intended to help establish the definite squad and find the players that will best fit the coaching staff’s systems and needs.”
It’s an uneven schedule, with early matches against World Cup qualifiers New Zealand and North Korea mixed in with games against Iceland and Senegal, two countries that aren’t in the top 90 of the FIFA rankings.
Bolivia, which has beaten Mexico just once in nine matches, is in between. But De la Torre said this match provides a good test because Bolivia has a style similar to that of Uruguay, a team in Mexico first-round group for the World Cup.
“It is all about seeing the candidates and finalizing the training camp squad,” he said. Among those hoping to leave a good impression is 21-year-old Chivas striker Javier Hernandez, the leading scorer in Mexico’s Primera Division; 22-year-old defender Hugo Ayala; and 29-year-old midfielder Israel Castro, a veteran of 25 international caps and a likely World Cup selection.
“We’re all in the same situation,” Castro said. “Nothing is guaranteed.”
And though the Mexican team came together just two days ago, Castro said the attitude has been “very positive.
“We’re all hungry to win a place in the World Cup. We’re all eager to compete with one another. And that will benefit the national team.”
Not every player trying to make that team is a young, wide-eyed youngster.
The roster for Wednesday’s match includes forward Cuauhtemoc Blanco, 37, who has more than twice as many international goals (37) as any other national team hopeful.
“I know this is my last World Cup. So I have to prepare myself,” said Blanco, who played in both the 1998 and 2002 tournaments.
But Blanco said Tuesday he’s also aware the torch is being passed.
“It’s a new era for the national team,” said Blanco, who is returning to the U.S. for the first time since leaving the Chicago Fire of the MLS last year. “Time passes and young players come along ready to play.
“That’s the beauty of football. Young players coming along with the hunger to succeed.”
