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Canales Daily: All That Is Gold Can Be Little
The Galaxy's legendary midfielder, Mauricio Cienfuegos, talks CONCACAF qualifying with Andrea Canales.
Jun 17, 2009 9:43:41 PM
By Andrea Canales
It was easy for opponents to underestimate El Salvador's Mauricio Cienfuegos when he played. At an unprepossessing 5'6, the little midfielder didn't appear to be a much of a threat.
Yet it was deceptively difficult for opponents to get the ball off him, and when they did, it was more often that Cienfuegos had actually loosed a tricky little pass to an open teammate.
He ran the Los Angeles Galaxy midfield as The Little Engine That Could for many years, leaving behind a gap the team has still been unable to fill.
In some ways, however, his home country of El Salvador seems to have picked up the example of the midfielder who spoke softly, but played a big game on the field.
El Salvador has been the underdog squad in the CONCACAF hexagonal round of World Cup qualifying that has pulled off the most surprising results, including a draw versus the U.S. and a win over Mexico.
"They're doing very well," praised Cienfuegos of the Selecta players. "I'm pleasantly surprised."
Though El Salvador would have prefered to win all their home games, Cienfuegos pointed out that the team had defeated a top rival in El Tri.
"They had a great game against Mexico and they deserved the win. Even the young players with less experience played well."
Even in a recent road game, El Salvador challenged, losing by only a single goal at Honduras.
Cienfuegos still saw positives in the team's play.
"Against Honduras, it was strange, because Honduras seemed like the visiting team, as El Salvador had more of the ball and better attacks, but couldn't finish well. That's often been the knock on our team."
One reason that the smaller teams in CONCACAF might be more bold and confident in the final round of the World Cup qualifying games is that anything can happen. In addition, some of the traditionally stronger squads have faltered, including the pair scheduled to face each other in August.
"The U.S. isn't in its best form, I think," observed Cienfuegos. "Neither is Mexico, and they might be feeling a little desperate at that game in the Azteca. There's a lot at stake. The team that has the better game will likely win."
Cienfuegos noted the turmoil of El Tri, given that the squad has gone through so many coaching changes recently.
"Mexico is struggling," Cienfuegos stated. "They need to get results soon, to try to get that third spot in CONCACAF. If they end up in the fourth spot, it won't be easy to qualify against a team from South America."
Only the top three teams are assured of World Cup qualification - the fourth place finisher in the Hex will have to take on the challenge of a South American squad to move on.
As much as he was encouraged by the play of El Salvador, Cienfuegos realized that the path to the World Cup for his home country would not be easy.
El Salvador have only five points in the Hex, one behind Mexico in the battle for the fourth place playoff spot, and two back of Honduras' seven points for the guaranteed World Cup third spot. Costa Rica and the U.S. are first and second, with twelve and ten points, respectively.
"It's going to be hard for El Salvador," acknowledged Cienfuegos. "They need to try to get full points versus Trinidad and Tobago and really fight for that fourth spot."
It would be wise for the island nation to take El Salvador seriously - because the threat from something little can still loom very large.
Andrea Canales is Chief Editor of Goal.com North America.
If you follow the U.S. Men's National Team, you'll love their dedicated page on Goal.com!
It was easy for opponents to underestimate El Salvador's Mauricio Cienfuegos when he played. At an unprepossessing 5'6, the little midfielder didn't appear to be a much of a threat.
Yet it was deceptively difficult for opponents to get the ball off him, and when they did, it was more often that Cienfuegos had actually loosed a tricky little pass to an open teammate.
He ran the Los Angeles Galaxy midfield as The Little Engine That Could for many years, leaving behind a gap the team has still been unable to fill.
In some ways, however, his home country of El Salvador seems to have picked up the example of the midfielder who spoke softly, but played a big game on the field.
El Salvador has been the underdog squad in the CONCACAF hexagonal round of World Cup qualifying that has pulled off the most surprising results, including a draw versus the U.S. and a win over Mexico.
"They're doing very well," praised Cienfuegos of the Selecta players. "I'm pleasantly surprised."
Though El Salvador would have prefered to win all their home games, Cienfuegos pointed out that the team had defeated a top rival in El Tri.
"They had a great game against Mexico and they deserved the win. Even the young players with less experience played well."
Even in a recent road game, El Salvador challenged, losing by only a single goal at Honduras.
Cienfuegos still saw positives in the team's play.
"Against Honduras, it was strange, because Honduras seemed like the visiting team, as El Salvador had more of the ball and better attacks, but couldn't finish well. That's often been the knock on our team."
One reason that the smaller teams in CONCACAF might be more bold and confident in the final round of the World Cup qualifying games is that anything can happen. In addition, some of the traditionally stronger squads have faltered, including the pair scheduled to face each other in August.
"The U.S. isn't in its best form, I think," observed Cienfuegos. "Neither is Mexico, and they might be feeling a little desperate at that game in the Azteca. There's a lot at stake. The team that has the better game will likely win."
Cienfuegos noted the turmoil of El Tri, given that the squad has gone through so many coaching changes recently.
"Mexico is struggling," Cienfuegos stated. "They need to get results soon, to try to get that third spot in CONCACAF. If they end up in the fourth spot, it won't be easy to qualify against a team from South America."
Only the top three teams are assured of World Cup qualification - the fourth place finisher in the Hex will have to take on the challenge of a South American squad to move on.
As much as he was encouraged by the play of El Salvador, Cienfuegos realized that the path to the World Cup for his home country would not be easy.
El Salvador have only five points in the Hex, one behind Mexico in the battle for the fourth place playoff spot, and two back of Honduras' seven points for the guaranteed World Cup third spot. Costa Rica and the U.S. are first and second, with twelve and ten points, respectively.
"It's going to be hard for El Salvador," acknowledged Cienfuegos. "They need to try to get full points versus Trinidad and Tobago and really fight for that fourth spot."
It would be wise for the island nation to take El Salvador seriously - because the threat from something little can still loom very large.
Andrea Canales is Chief Editor of Goal.com North America.
If you follow the U.S. Men's National Team, you'll love their dedicated page on Goal.com!
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