|
|
Bueno's Views: BUAPs And Xolos No Hindrance For Blanco
Cuauhtemoc Blanco has began training with Veracruz of Mexico's second division but the potential for hazards are few, says Goal.com's Luis Bueno.
Dec 22, 2009 3:42:41 PM
Suddenly, Lobos BUAP might play a role in Mexico's World Cup preperation. Alacranes de Durango and Albinegros of Orizaba too could be a factor in how Mexico fares in South Africa 2010.
And don't forget about the mighty Xoloitzcuintles De Caliente of Tijuana, better known as Xolos.
Excuse me? What in the heck is a Lobos BUAP? And why would it help or hurt El Tri?
These are all clubs which reside in Mexico's second division, formally known as the Liga de Ascenso. Tiburones Rojos of Veracruz also play their football there, and Veracruz is home to perhaps the greatest Mexican footballer of all time in Cuauhtemoc Blanco.
The two-time World Cup veteran has began preseason training with Veracruz ahead of Liga de Ascenso's Bicentenario 2010 season, slated to commence on Jan. 8.
Few will argue that Blanco is an integral part of Mexico's 2010 World Cup squad. While he was not solely responsible for Mexico turning around a wretched qualifying campaign and helping El Tri reach their fifth consecutive World Cup finals, Blanco was one of the main reasons why Mexico reeled off five consecutive World Cup qualifying victories.
Blanco left the Chicago Fire and Major League Soccer altogether following the 2009 season and re-signed with Veracruz, a club he spent one season with back in 2004. He'd vowed to return and did just that, except under much different circumstances. Veracruz played in the Primera Division then, and Blanco helped the club reach the Liguilla as the team finished first atop the regular-season standings. Veracruz have since fallen on hard times; several lean seasons resulted in relegation and instead of Morelia, Cruz Azul and Pumas UNAM on their schedule, Veracruz now play against Merida, Cruz Azul Hidalgo and Pumas Morelos.
It will be a step down for Blanco in terms of the conditions he's typically used to playing in. While MLS did not offer the same level of competition as the Mexican Primera Division did, MLS is a stronger league than the Liga de Ascenso. MLS teams featured capable players and teams in a top-flight league, while the Liga de Ascenso is a hodgepodge of young talent hoping to someday reach the first division, with teams attempting to do the same. The number of World Cup-bound players in MLS was numerous while the number of World Cup-bound players in the Liga de Ascenso amounts to one: Blanco.
Perhaps the biggest factor that could twist Mexico's fate in a negative way will be the playing conditions of the fields in the Liga de Ascenso. While Mexico's first-division clubs feature neatly manicured surfaces - the pristine grass in Estadio Azteca is a sight to behold - the same cannot be said about the second-division clubs.
The possibility of some bumpy patch of dirt or hole-laden field damaging Blanco's ankles or knees might be worrisome to some Mexican national team supporters.
However, Blanco is not exactly worried about the conditions of the field or the level of play he'll see in the Liga de Ascenso.
"When I was in the reserves, I traveled two hours by bus and played on some of the worst fields but I didn't have any problems," Blanco told Notimex. "I've played on dirt fields, on muddy fields and I don't have any problems playing anywhere."
Veracruz might not be in the top flight but it won't be a hindrance for Blanco's preparation. Perhaps some player intent on making himself infamous, bent on becoming the Mexican version of Ansil Elcock, will take a run at Blanco or go into a challenge with a little extra in it. Or perhaps a poor playing surface will count Blanco among its victims.
The level of play will have no significant impact on Blanco one way or another. Blanco needs only to maintain his health and fitness level in order to adequately prepare for the 60 days of training he and other Mexico-based players will have together ahead of the 2010 World Cup. That is something the Chicago Fire could not offer, as the Fire will not open their training camp until late January or early February, at the earliest.
Also, Blanco will be available for every international friendly Mexico will play before the World Cup, and that is almost as important as being match-fit.
So while Blanco's opponents will be one obscure player after another, it will do little to thwart Blanco's personal path to South Africa.
As for Lobos BUAP, Veracruz's opponents on Feb. 21, the BUAP stands for Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, or the Autonomous University of Puebla, which was founded in 1587. Lobos, then, are to the second division what Tigres UANL and Pumas UNAM are to the first division, clubs affiliated with a university.
And Blanco's first opponents in the Liga de Ascenso? Veracruz will open the following season against Necaxa, a club Blanco is quite familiar with.
So, not much will be uncharted territory for Blanco in Mexico's second division.
Luis Bueno is Goal.com's Mexico Editor.
Visit Goal.com's Mexico page for more coverage of Mexican football.
Thank you for your comment!
Please enter your name
Please enter your location
Please share your comment!
8 Comments
Inside Goal.Com
-
EURO 2012: Cristiano Ronaldo, Xavi and Van Persie named in Goal.com's dream team XI
Goal.com put together its dream team for this summer's European Championship in Poland and Ukraine
-
RIGG: Anelka struggling against the current in Shanghai
Nicolas Anelka went against the grain when he moved to Shanghai. Now he's finding that coaching and gelling tactically is like swimming against the tide.
-
ROGERS: Bradley should command a bidding war among Serie A teams
Chievo is currently shopping the American midfielder and several Italian clubs have shown interest.
-
ISOLA: Neymar-led Brazil should be considered the 2014 WC favorite
Neymar was brilliant as Brazil easily handled the United States with early World Cup preparations officially underway.
-
LATHAM: Mexico using summer friendlies to build depth
With World Cup qualifying to begin in June, Mexico is using three U.S.-hosted friendlies to build squad depth.