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 . . .
USMNT 1 – Mexico 0
The United States stepped up in the second-half, taking a man advantage and getting a goal in a 1-0 win over Mexico at Nashville's Nissan Stadium. Shortly after an altercation between Matt Miazga and Edson Alvarez, Mexico's Angel Zaldivar saw red for a foul on USMNT captain Wil Trapp in the 67th minute. Tyler Adams scored in the 71st for the game's only goal. Adams capitalized on an Antonee . . .
Mexico gets out of the group but it wasn’t easy
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Jun 27, 2018) US Soccer Players - Perhaps Mexico does not do well as a favorite. Or maybe Mexico players were simply too overconfident. Whatever the case, Mexico came narrowly close to an embarrassing World Cup exit on Wednesday as only a greater embarrassment kept El Tri’s pulse beating. Still, the damage is done. Mexico’s World Cup venture has gone a full 180 . . .
Mexico’s big win and bigger hurdle
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Jun 20, 2018) US Soccer Players - Through the first slate of opening-round games of the 2018 World Cup, perhaps the most surprising result has been Mexico’s shocking 1-0 win over Germany. One of the favorites coming into the tournament, Germany lost to a tenacious and energetic Mexican side. The underdogs deserved the result. Winning the opening game of the World . . .
Mexico’s World Cup expectations
By Luis Bueno – RIVERSIDE, CA (Jun 13, 2018) US Soccer Players - On the eve of the World Cup, fans across the globe are eagerly waiting for the tournament to start. They want to see their respective nations do battle, progress, and live up to the hopes and dreams placed squarely on the team’s shoulders. For Mexico, it is a bit more than that. The nation’s fans are yet again demanding their team . . .
