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Some of you may be wondering why Mexico is being previewed in a Copa America 2015 tournament as the country is not in South America. However, since 1993, the South American governing body CONMEBOL has invited various countries from outside the confederation to take part in the competition.
Mexico has accepted every invitation since then and this particular edition of the Copa will see El Tri’s ninth appearance. While dominating their CONCACAF region, the Mexicans have also had quite an impressive record at the Copa, finishing second twice, third thrice and getting out of the group stages on all but one occasion.
This year, however, fans and pundits are not looking forward to anything similar. Mexico coach Miguel Herrera has named a second-string squad to fly to Chile, in view of the upcoming CONCACAF Gold Cup, which will follow the Copa. His prioritisation of the Gold Cup over the Copa means that this will be an opportunity for many B-team players to step up and show their worth.
Squad
Winning the Gold Cup would provide El Tri a route to the 2017 Confederations Cup whereas winning the Copa will not. This has led Herrera to rest a number of senior players, leaving them out of the Copa America squad but naming them in the Gold Cup roster, including Javier Hernandez, Carlos Vela, Guillermo Ochoa, Giovanni dos Santos, Hector Herrera, Miguel Layun and captain Andres Guardado. The result is a new-look team that will represent Mexico in Chile. Most of the players ply their trade in Mexico’s Liga MX.
Although it is not exactly a full-strength team, the Copa America team does have some prominent names within it. After impressing in recent friendlies, FC Twente attacker Jesus ‘Tecatito’ Corona has made a case for a first XI spot; he is the only player to be named in both the Gold Cup and Copa America squads. His namesake, the veteran goalkeeper Jesus Corona will feel aggrieved to be left out of the Gold Cup squad. The 34-year old Cruz Azul custodian will probably be playing in his last international tournament.
Another veteran in a similar situation is the famed warhorse Rafael Marquez. The ex-Barcelona centre back has spoken of his desire to continue with the national team, despite his ageing legs but Herrera’s decision to leave him out of the Gold Cup team could mean that Marquez may be looking at international retirement after the Copa. He did put up a spirited show at last year’s World Cup and fans will hope for something similar in what is likely to be his last hurrah for Mexico.
Atletico Madrid striker Raul Jimenez had a quiet season in Spain, failing to fulfil the expectations of his countrymen. The 24-year old will have to prove his critics wrong while leading the line along with one of the following three: Enrique Esqueda, Eduardo Herrera and Matias Vuoso. The team also has Marco Fabian, the Chivas striker who is also yet to make a proper impact in the senior squad despite early signs of promise.
Goalkeepers: Jesús Corona (Cruz Azul), Alfredo Talavera (Toluca), Melitón Hernandez (Veracruz)
Defenders: George Corral (Querétaro), Gerardo Flores (Cruz Azul), Rafa Marquez (Hellas Verona), Hugo Ayala (Tigres), Julio Cesar Domínguez (Cruz Azul), Carlos Salcedo (Chivas), Miguel Herrera Equiha (Pachuca), Adrián Aldrete (Santos Laguna), Efraín Velarde (Monterrey)
Midfielders: Mario Osuna (Queretaro), Juan Carlos Medina (Atlas), Javier Güemez (Tijuana), Jesús Corona (FC Twente), Javier Aquino (Rayo Vallecano), Luis Montes (Leon), Marco Fabián (Chivas)
Forwards: Raúl Jiménez (Atletico Madrid), Eduardo Herrera (Pumas), Enrique Esqueda (Tigres), Matías Vuoso (Chipas)
Coach
There’s no denying the fact that most eyes will be on Mexico’s coach – the often-lovable and sometimes controversial – Miguel Herrera. Handed the job at a tricky time prior to qualifying for the 2014 World Cup, the former Mexico international safely guided El Tri to Brazil and then enthralled the world with his celebratory antics. Despite all that, almost a year later, Herrera’s star has slightly faded.
In between a rather unimpressive preparation for the Copa, Herrera found himself in the centre of a Twitter controversy when he appeared to show his support for a political party on election day. It was an issue that has contributed to further negativity, especially after the under-strength squad that Herrera has chosen for the Copa.
And yet, the ex-Club America manager can put all that behind him by leading this inexperienced bunch to punch above their weight in Chile. Follow that up with a title win at the Gold Cup and everything will be forgotten. Miguel El Piojo Herrera will be in the good books again.
Formation and Tactics
Herrera has regularly used a 5-3-2 system during his time in charge of Mexico. It was a system that reaped rewards at the World Cup but devoid of the players who starred in Brazil, there are no guarantees that Herrera can do the same again with a new group of players. The Copa America squad is filled with players, especially defenders, who will naturally find themselves a bit uncomfortable playing in a 5-3-2.
Mexican football expert Tom Marshall points to the fact that there are no left-footed centre-backs in the roster. That wouldn’t have been in an issue if Mexico played with a back four but in their current system, the LCB position could end up being a problem. Another potential issue concerns the wing-back position, a crucial role in a 5-3-2. It will be interesting to see how Adrian Aldrete and Gerardo Flores will fare in keeping the balance between defensive responsibilities and the decision to go up.
In midfield, looking at Herrera’s recent selections, it is likely that Guemez will be in the holding midfield role. In the friendly draw with Peru, he struggled to control proceedings in the middle as the opponents dominated. Although Mexico looked better playing with a double pivot of Guemez and Osuna in a 5-2-1-2 in the match against Brazil, Herrera will probably continue with his 5-3-2 in the Copa America opener against Bolivia.
Jesus ‘Tecatito’ Corona, undoubtedly one of the most exciting talents to come out of Mexico in recent years, could find himself either in an attacking midfield role or up front, partnering Raul Gimenez. The latter is more likely.
History at the Copa America
| YEAR | RESULT |
|---|---|
| 1993 | Runners-up |
| 1995 | Quarterfinal |
| 1997 | Third place |
| 1999 | Third place |
| 2001 | Runners-up |
| 2004 | Quarterfinal |
| 2007 | Third place |
| 2011 | Group stage |
Prediction
Although Miguel Herrera boldly declares that his (second-string) team can go on to win this year’s Copa America, evidence shows that this Mexico team has a long way to go before achieving title success. Defensive frailties, inexperience and poor tactical decision could work against the team’s chances in matches that a Mexico A team would probably win with ease.
Beating Bolivia may still be possible, but hosts Chile have in their arsenal players who can embarass Mexico. Even Ecuador could be a tough team to overcome. A good win over Bolivia and a draw with Ecuador could see Mexico through to the quarterfinals where they could face one from among Argentina, Brazil and Colombia – a tantalising prospect. Expect Mexico to crash out in the quarter-finals.
