El Tri all set for the cross Atlantic trip to the World Cup. Photo Credit: Itzel Segura/ Prost Amerika
For the Mexican National Team, El Tri they are looking forward to advance to not only the next round but also this time they are deposited their hopes in advancing past the rounds of 16. As the curse follows this squad, possibly this time they can overcome those past performances and advance to higher rounds this time.
Still the specter of being seeded in another group of death, with Germany in the head, Sweden and South Korea, their mission looks tough but not difficult as this squad always prevails. For the so-called giant of its Confederation of play for its might, Mexico has all the elements to shine and deliver a much better and wondrous performance.
Manager Juan Carlos Osorio is always in the eye of the hurricane and always being questioned about his qualities to lead this squad. As the memories of many of the followers of El Tri still remember those humiliating defeats. After losing to Chile in the Copa America 7-1 and in the last Confederations Cup against Germany to 4-1, many have their doubts on the Colombian.
Still Osorio is doing his first feat of qualifying a national team to the World Cup and has so far has delivered. Unfortunately he has a lot of work ahead with his group that after an arduous task of selection from a vast group. He finally made his final list of twenty-three.
The only setback is that some of his most important players in his favorite 4-3-3 formation are returning form the DL. This will pose a serious risk of how healthy and fit many of these are on June 17 when they play their Cup opener against Germany.
Hope # 1 That they can put on a fight.
As many state that defense wins matches, so do a spectacular offensive attack and Mexico is loaded with a constellation of stars playing in Europe, MLS and its domestic league.
El Tri when they put their efforts together these can really work wonders and are a team to beat when they are synchronize in the field. With Carlos Vela and Giovanni Dos Santos already familiar with each other along with Andres Guardado, Hector Herrera and Marco Fabian.
All of these with a lot of European background, these can really make the difference in El Tri midfield in its 4-3-3 formation that manager Osorio uses any of these can deliver when needed.
The other is Carlos Vela despite considered as a forward, the former Real Sociedad talisman currently playing in MLS for LAFC. He can lead El Tri’s offensive attack along with Jesus Corona (Porto )and Hirving Lozano (PSV) these two stellar in their respective European teams.
For manager Juan Carlos Osorio, having a one of a kind bench, considered as luxury with Javier Hernandez(West Ham United), Javier Aquino (Tigres), and Oribe Peralta (Club America) and Raul Jimenez (Benfica).
Offensively speaking El Tri is one solid squad as well seen as an all-around armada with its power and majority now of its players playing in European soil and far advanced game. We may have a serious competitor and a squad looking to become a giant and recognized in the world stages.
Hope #2 That their solid defense will deliver.
Defense wins games and with a solid backfield and again playing in important European leagues combined with players from La Liga MX. With Hector Moreno having, an impressive CV and currently playing with Spanish side Real Sociedad. Adding Miguel Layun- Sevilla, Carlos Salcedo Eintracht Frankfurt, Diego Reyes- Porto. In addition, three players from LIGA MX that made the final cut where: Hugo Ayala- Tigres, Edson Alvarez- America and Jesus Gallardo- UNAM.
So far for the Mexican National Team manager his final list in its defense and with some players recovering from injuries. He has deposited his trust in all of these gladiators to deliver and possibly using a five men backfield.
With Guillermo Ochoa leading their three man goalkeeper core, coming from a winning campaign with Standard de Liege as champion, the man momentum is on an all-time high followed by Alfredo Talavera- Toluca and Jesus Corona- Cruz Azul.
My final verdict is that El Tri defense looks amazingly solid and should have a chance to perform a top of the line game.
Hope #3 That the Europeans will deliver
With the majority of its roster playing in European theaters, many eyes are set on Carlos Vela, who is a top of the line orchestrator and carries his teams forward. As the former La Liga Real Sociedad Midfielder, he delivered a contender in a squad with a limited budget. In addition, the likes of Hirving Lozano considered as an all-around idol in PSV along with another big name in Porto Jesus Tecatito Corona.
Youth and experience are the traits of this Mexican National Team that in this World Cup really can give us a surprise with its performances. In addition, the way many of its players exposed to European football and in the best leagues will be fundamental for El Tri in this edition of the World Cup.
The Big Fear: That they will be unable to make the Round of 16
As always Mexico dances with the most ugly in World Cup competition, seeded in-group F. Called the Group of Death with Germany a drive stricken Sweden and a determined South Korea seeing a growth in its football.
Despite in the past El Tri always placed in tough groups these prevail until their doom in the round of 16. Where their push stop and illusions are broken and time to go home.
If the three hopes worked wonders and each one of its stars contribute, this squad with the star power possess I can be bold enough to predict not only a run to semifinals but also all the way to the final.
