By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Jan 27, 2020) US Soccer Players – It's an interesting 2020 in Concacaf, especially for old rivals the United States and Mexico. Both have the Nations League on the schedule in June and the start of World Cup qualifying in the September international window. Between now and then, there are friendlies on the schedule to provide options and tighten things up before . . .
Mexico needs the Nations League
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Sep 11, 2019) US Soccer Players - Everything was going just fine for Mexico and coach Tata Martino. Entering Tuesday’s matchup against Argentina, Mexico had gone 10-0-1 in Martino’s first 11 games in charge. Even that draw was a win on penalties during the Gold Cup. All of that came to a sudden and jarring halt. In a span of 16 minutes during the first-half, . . .
What to watch for at the 2019 Gold Cup final
By Charles Boehm – WASHINGTON, DC (Jul 5, 2019) US Soccer Players - When the USMNT play Mexico, it’s not just a game, it’s an event. The biggest soccer event in North America, in fact. This is the occasion that players and fans on both sides of the border, not to mention advertisers and television executives, crave. Thanks to El Tri’s narrow semifinal win over Haiti and the USMNT’s . . .
Mexico’s successful but unimpressive Gold Cup run
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Mexico’s Gold Cup dilemma
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Jun 19, 2019) US Soccer Players - Normally, the summer after the World Cup would be a busy and important one for the Mexican national team. Played every odd-numbered year, the Gold Cup is a calendar staple. With Copa America held the year after the World Cup, that too would be plenty to keep Mexico busy. Add in the importance of the FIFA Confederations Cup. For years . . .
LAFC benefits from Vela’s choice
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (May 15, 2019) US Soccer Players - Since 2019 is an odd-numbered year, Major League Soccer is taking a brief hiatus in June because of the Gold Cup. MLS will stand down during the tournament's group stage, but games will pick back up when the knockout rounds begin. For teams like LAFC, who has a star player from one of the participating Gold Cup nations, that should . . .
The other Gold Cup seeds
By Clemente Lisi – NEW YORK, NY (Apr 8, 2019) US Soccer Players – The USMNT has gotten 2019 off to a strong start. The Gregg Berhalter era has brought with it wins, optimism, and depth at various positions. The aim this year will be winning the Gold Cup. While the US enters the tournament as one of the favorites, what about the region’s other contenders? With the Gold Cup draw set for Wednesday, . . .
Mexico under Martino
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Mar 27, 2019) US Soccer Players - When a new coach takes over a national team, the transition can be rough. It can take a lot of time for the new boss to get his ideas across to the players. The roster normally changes as stalwarts from previous campaigns make way. For Mexico, the transition into the Gerardo “Tata” Martino era took about one half of one game. In . . .
Tata Martino and the pressure of the fifth game
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Jan 16, 2019) US Soccer Players - When Mexico turned to Gerardo “Tata” Martino to fill its vacant head coaching position, the federation chose the most qualified available candidate. Martino brings with him a solid resume, a strong technical acumen, and a high level of enthusiasm. The difficulty for Martino - and, really, anyone that takes over the Mexican national . . .
Why did Mexico go to Argentina?
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Nov 21, 2018) US Soccer Players - For too long, Mexico has chosen to play friendly matches against lesser teams on American soil. Thus it seemed like a step forward when Mexico headed down to South America to play a pair of friendlies against Argentina. Now that the two games have come and gone, it seems more of a missed and a bit misguided opportunity than . . .
