El Tri’s Summer of Fun

El Tri and the USMNT had a hard-fought World Cup qualifier in Estadio Azteca that resulted in a draw. The USMNT has some time to relax before getting back in fighting mode. Mexico, on the other hand, isn’t too lucky.

Mexico to pull off double-duty

Next week, the team will be in Russia to compete in the FIFA Confederations Cup. FIFA clearly has in for ‘El Tri’; because there hasn’t been a single FIFA tournament in which they don’t they face an elite team. In the last Confederations Cup, they faced UEFA and CONMEBOL powerhouses, Italy and Brazil. They suffered clear defeats before being eliminated. This time around, Mexico will be facing Russia (the host), Portugal (2016 Euro Cup winners), and New Zealand (2016 OFC Nations Cup winners).

Ronaldo and co. will be the first ones to take a crack at ‘El Tri’. UEFA’s golden boy will be posing the greatest threat to the Mexican defense. Up next will be New Zealand. The last time that Mexico faced New Zealand was in a two-legged playoff match to qualify for the 2014 World Cup. It was an easy win back then and it shouldn’t be any different this time. Lastly, Mother Russia will be Mexico’s final group stage opponent. Russia is more of an “x” factor in this group. Still; Mexico is fully capable of making it out into the next round. That’s where it can get nasty.

Regardless if Mexico is 1st or 2nd, they will face World Cup champions Germany or Copa America champions Chile. Last year, Chile thrashed Mexico in the Copa America (7-0); effortlessly. Germany did the same thing to Brazil three years ago, in the World Cup quarterfinals. No matter what; Mexico’s humiliating defeat will always haunt them when facing Chile.

Mexico’s biggest mistake was exposing a crack in their own defense. Once Chile saw that, they broke down the defense to unleash seven unanswered goals. The United States also did it in a qualifier match. Mexico was careless and allowed a breakaway run for an easy goal. The key to the Confederations Cup is to take it easy. There shouldn’t a one-sided emphasis on the

There shouldn’t be a one-sided emphasis on the defense over the offense or vice versa. Mexico has to be the one to dictate the pace of the matches whenever they have possession in the midfield. In doing so; they can scramble the other team’s formation and tactics without damaging their own.

This year’s squad is packed with a balanced combo of vets and youth. This includes Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez (Bayer Leverkusen), Rafa Marquez (Club Leon), Giovanni dos Santos (LA Galaxy), Hirving Lozano (Pachuca), and Jesus Manuel Corona (FC Porto). These are the right men to take on the best of each confederation.

On to the Gold Cup

CONCACAF is more merciful to its kings. ‘El Tri’ will be taking on El Salvador, Jamaica, and Curacao. None of these teams are an actual threat to Mexico. In the 2015 Gold Cup final, Mexico made quick work of Jamaica. El Salvador has never been an issue and Curacao is too weak of a team to even have a chance of winning. In the next round, the most likely opponents are either Honduras or Nicaragua. Perhaps Honduras will be the toughest obstacle. Things will get complicated if Mexico crosses paths with Panama or the United States.