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Goal.commentary: Mexico's Gold Cup Aftermath
Goal.com's Joel Aceves takes a look at how the Gold Cup affected the individual players on Mexico's roster and their chances of participating in World Cup qualifying.
Jul 28, 2009 2:29:54 PM
Many conclusions can be made after Mexico’s lopsided victory over archrivals the United States, to obtain the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup, but one thing is for certain; the Tricolor is back. Having gone through four different coaches and over one hundred players receiving a cap, in the current world cup cycle, the Mexican National Team has finally founds its composure.
Many of the 23 players called up to the Gold Cup were heavily questioned. Many have proven that they belong in the National Team while others showed that the Tricolor jersey is a heavy burden on them. With the Gold Cup now over let us take a look at which players have graduated to the senior national team and which players will be left by the way side.
Goalkeepers
Guillermo “Memo” Ochoa: Since the start of the current World Cup qualifying cycle Memo has patiently waited for his turn to defend the national team’s posts on a consistent basis. The CONCACAF Gold Cup provided Memo with such an opportunity and the America goal keeper rose to the occasion and proved that without a doubt that he is ready to become Mexico’s first choice keeper. Memo’s highlight of the tourney came in the semifinal penalty kick shoot-out against Costa Rica as the curly haired Ochoa contained Froylan Ledezma’s shot and helped Mexico advance to the final.
Jose de Jesus Corona: Last season Corona was arguably the best goalkeeper in the Mexican league to such an extent that many Tricolor fans called for the longtime Tecos keeper to receive an opportunity in the Mexican National Team’s starting eleven. During the Gold Cup it was expected that Corona would battle against Ochoa for the starting spot but the new Cruz Azul keeper never left the bench. While Corona will continue to be part of the Tricolor set up it is uncertain whether he will be the second or third choice keeper.
Oscar “Conejo” Perez: Upon Coach Javier Aguirre’s arrival to the Tricolor the veteran Conejo Perez made an unexpected return to the national team. Perez became Aguirre’s first choice keeper in his first two matches in charge of the National Team playing crucial World Cup qualifying games against El Salvador and Trinidad & Tobago. Perez was expected to continue to guard the posts during the Gold Cup but was dropped from the team despite being registered. Aguirre’s argument was that Ochoa and Corona deserved a chance. With Ochoa having a break through tourney it is uncertain whether Perez will maintain his spot in the starting eleven.
Defenders
Jonny Magallon: The Chivas de Guadalajara defender had a rapid ascent with the national team winning over the confidence of former head coach Hugo Sanchez. Magallon quickly became a staple in the Tricolor’s defense with solid performances in the 2007 Gold Cup and Copa America. Unfortunately Magallon suffered an injury to his right upper arm that sidelined him for the rest of the 2008 Apertura season and missed out on crucial national team games in the CONCACAF Hexagonal. Magallon returned last season and received another shot with the Tricolor during the Gold Cup where despite not playing up to his usual standards Magallon showed that he can still be an integral part of the National Team.
Ismael Rodriguez: Rodriguez was one of the most questioned call-ups along with club America teammate Juan Carlos Valenzuela as the Aguilas had proven to have one of the worst defenses of the Clausura 2009 tourney. Rodriguez featured in the Tricolor central defense, alongside Magallon, for the first four games and was dropped in the finals in favor of Valenzuela. While Rodriguez had a regular performance in the Gold Cup the Aguilas defender is far from challenging the Tricolors veteran players for a spot in the starting eleven.
Edgar Duenas: Toluca proved to have the best defense in the Clausura 2009 season with Duenas forming part of the Diablos Rojos seemingly impenetrable defensive wall. Still, the Toluca defender was not able to convince Coach Javier Aguirre and despite being in the Gold Cup roster did not feature in a single match. Duena’s could perhaps receive another chance with the Tricolor down the line but unless the national team is hit with a whirlwind of suspensions and injuries the Toluca defender will remain low in the pecking order.
Fausto Pinto: The Cruz Azul defender featured in the2007 Gold Cup but did not play in a single game. The former Pachuca player however benefited from the absence of Carlos Salcido for the ensuing Copa America tourney and had a breakthrough performance. The ousting of former coach Hugo Sanchez proved to be harmful for Pinto who no longer seemed to feature in the national teams plans. Javier Aguirre, however, gave Pinto another shot with the Tricolor and the Cruz Azul defender did not disappoint this time playing in all six Gold Cup games. Pinto is expected to continue to play second fiddle to Carlos Salcido but has proven to be able to be able to provide adequate cover.
Jose Antonio “Gringo” Castro: El Gringo’s career seemed to have been coming to an end after being transferred from club America to relegation threatened Tigres UANL where he had a modest Clausura 2009 season. Castro’s inclusion to the 2009 Gold Cup roster left many Tricolor fans puzzled but as the tourney progressed Castro showed that he still has what it takes to represent the national team. Castro played in all six Gold Cup games and finished the tourney with a silky goal against the United States that is sure to put him back in the national team’s good graces.
Juan Carlos Valenzuela: The second of the questionable club America defenders seemed destined to ride the pine. Aguilas teammate Rodriguez shakiness at central defense, however, allowed Valenzuela to break into the starting eleven for the semi-final match against Costa Rica. Valenzuela had a decent performance only marred by Froyland Ledezma’s last minute goal that forced the match into extra time and penalty kicks. Still, Valenzuela managed to shake off his mistake and earned a start for the final where he helped fellow Aguila Guillermo Ochoa maintain a clean sheet. Perhaps, Valenzuela will not be in the Tricolor’s A roster but has earned a spot in the B team.
Efrain Juarez: The Pumas defender alongside Giovani and Vela is one of the surviving members of the 2005 U-17 FIFA World Cup championship team. Despite a failed stint abroad; having signed with Barcelona and loaned out to lower division side Berbate CF, Juarez made a successful return to Mexico helping Pumas win the 2009 Clausura tourney. Juarez made a solid case for his continuation with the Tricolor with his participation in the Gold Cup. The Pumas defender scored in the penalty kick shoot out win over Costa Rica and did not disappoint in the final against the United States.
Midfielders
Gerardo Torrado: The return of Javier Aguirre to the national team gave Torrado a more important role within the Tricolor. The Cruz Azul midfielder now has the task to lead the Tricolor as the team captain. Torrado has featured in all of Aguirre’s call-ups and played in every single Gold Cup match. While Torrado’s form pales in comparison to his previous run with the national team the Cruz Azul midfielder’s attitude and work ethic guarantees him a spot in the Tricolor. It remains to be seen whether Torrado will maintain the captains arm band if the likes of Cuauhtémoc Blanco or Rafael Marquez return to the Tricolor.
Israel Castro: The Pumas midfielder played an integral part in the Universitarios Clausura 2009 league championship. At the Gold Cup Castro had a short lived battle against Luis Miguel Noriega for the starting role in midfield. After being benched for two-games Castro proved to be more reliable and won over Aguirre’s confidence and played in the finals. With Pavel Pardo and teammate Leandro Agusto not featuring in Aguirre’s plans Castro could have very well earned a spot in the Tricolors A team.
Luis Miguel Noriega: The Puebla midfielder had a well deserved national team call up after helping his side avoid relegation. With the Gold Cup as his Tricolor showcase the modest Noriega lost out to the more experienced Castro; only managing to play two games. Still, Noriega showed that he will continue to challenge for a spot in the main roster and even managed to notch a goal, against Nicaragua, to make his mark with the Tricolor.
Israel Martinez: El Jagger Martinez did not have a very good Gold Cup participation being limited to only two games. After featuring in the starting eleven in the first two games Jagger lost his spot and spent the rest of the tourney riding the pine. While Martinez has more to offer he will have to redouble his efforts to remain in the national team’s radar. Martinez return to America will keep him in the spotlight but he will need to regain his form, displayed at San Luis, if he is to compete for a spot in the Tricolor.
Attackers
Alberto Medina: At one point in his career Alberto "Venado" Medina was Mexico's top prospect until a brutal knee injury almost put an end to his young career. Since then Medina has remained a clutch player for Chivas de Guadalajara. Medina received a chance in the Gold Cup after Carlos Vela’s injury, five minutes into the first match, left him out for the majority of the tourney. Medina took advantage of his opportunity and recorded two assists in Mexico’s two-nil victory over the Central American side. Medina hanged on to the starting role and featured in every Gold Cup game but was outshined by Barrera and Vela. Still, Medina proved to be a reliable back-up and should remain in the fight for a spot in the Tricolors A team roster.
Omar Bravo: The Gold Cup was supposed to help Bravo find his form but instead the Depertovo la Coruna outcast continued on his downward spiral after having played only two games against Guadeloupe and Panama. Rumors of a possible injury have circulated but nothing has been confirmed; perhaps to not further damage the striker’s current bad form. With Giovani and Vela dominating the attack as well as Sabah winning the Gold Cups goal scoring title it is safe to say that Bravo has fallen low in the pecking order. Unless Bravo can get regular playing time, in any club, his future with the Tricolor will remain in jeopardy.
Guillermo Franco: The out of work Franco had featured in Javier Aguirre’s plans during the CONCACAF Hexagonal but the veteran striker was not expected to get a call-up for the Gold Cup which was to be used to try out younger players. However, with the injury of upstart Omar Arellano, Franco soon found himself back in the Tricolor. Despite being out of form Franco managed to return in time to contribute to important Gold Cup victories; getting on the score sheet on three occasions. Franco opened the scoring against Costa Rica and then scored again in the ensuing penalty kick shoot out. Franco rounded up his performance by scoring Mexico’s fifth goal in the final against the United States. Franco has proven to be a reliable striker for Aguirre and should continue to feature in the Tricolor.
Carlos Vela: The Arsenal striker suffered an unfortunate injury, five minutes into the first Gold Cup match, against Nicaragua that sidelined him for the majority of the tourney. Fortunately for the Tricolor Vela recovered in time to participate in the finals. Vela returned in grand fashion scoring the winning penalty kick goal to defeat Costa Rica and advance to the final. Vela also played a key role in the Tricolor’s Championship victory with a dashing second-half display; by scoring a goal and giving an assist. More importantly Vela’s partnership with Giovani gives Mexico a strike force not seen since the days of Cuauhtémoc Blanco and Luis “Matador” Hernandez.
Pablo Barrera: The Pumas UNAM standout played a key role in his clubs Clausura 2009 league championship; scoring the winning goal in the second-half of overtime. Having been part of Mexico’s U-20 side, that played the 2007 Youth World Cup, it only seemed fitting that Barrera continue to progress in the national team. Barrera justified his Gold Cup call-up by becoming an important second-half substitute that would come in and boost the Tricolor’s attack. Barrera also notched two goals; making the highlight reels by scoring with a world class volley shot against Nicaragua. Comparisons with Jesus “Cabrito” Arellano have already been made and Barrera could easily be Mexico’s next super-sub.
Miguel Sabah: The Morelia striker has proven to be one of the Mexican leagues most consistent strikers and only recently received a shot with the National Team getting called-up by Javier Aguirre during the CONCACAF Hexagonal. Despite not convincing in his international debut, against Trinidad & Tobago, Sabah received a second-chance and made the Gold Cup roster. Sabah, who put forth a handful of questionable performances, managed to win the Gold Cup goal scoring title with four goals that guarantee a spot in Aguirre’s plans.
Carlos Esquivel: Esquivel, known as el “combiero” for having driven Volkswagen transporter vans before becoming a professional footballer, was expected to be one of Mexico’s Gold Cup revelations. The Toluca striker, however, failed to live up to expectations playing well below his level shown with the Diablos Rojos. Esquivel featured in four games during the Gold Cup and failed to get in the scoring sheet. The lack of Mexican strikers should guarantee Esquivel remain in the national team pool but if the likes of Omar Arellano, Adolfo “Bofo” Bautista, and Nery Castillo regain their form then the Toluca striker’s chances of getting another call up will be low.
Giovani Dos Santos: It was a long time coming but Giovani finally managed to prove his worth with the senior national team. Seen as Mexico’s great hope Dos Santos had only shined with the youth teams. The former Barcelona striker’s career seemed to be in a downfall after leaving the Catalonian club for Tottenham Hot Spur’s where he soon was sent on loan to the lower divisions with Ipswich Town F.C. Giovani’s career with the Tricolor also seemed to suffer with the Gold Cup offering the upstart a second chance to demonstrate that he is ready for the senior national team. Giovani did not disappoint and became Mexico’s best player throughout the tourney earning the Gold Cup’s MVP award. Giovani has now proven that he can lead the Tricolor’s attack and should feature prominently with the National Team.
Jose Maria Cardenas: El “Chema” Cardenas was one of the surprise call-ups for the Gold Cup despite having made his debut with the Tricolor early in the year and scoring in a friendly match against Bolivia. Still, the former Pachuca striker had an irregular Clausura 2009 season scoring only four goals all season. Cardenas did not feature in any Gold Cup games and has been recently transferred to Santos Laguna where he needs to have a breakthrough season if he hopes to receive another national team cap.
Joel Aceves covers Mexican soccer for Goal.com.
Visit Goal.com daily for coverage of the reigning Gold Cup champions.
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