Mexico will begin its Gold Cup tournament against Cuba on Thursday, July 9th in Chicago and to say that the expectations for El Tri are running high would be an understatement.

There is some important things to note before this first game. For starters, the team that was taken to Copa America and disappointed is not the same team that will be playing here. Although many did not want to admit it, the Copa America team was very much a “B” team that consisted of predominantly domestic players. The style of play was different and the feel of the team was at times frustrating to watch.

The “A” team, however, is much better. That being said, what can be encountered during this tournament is what I call a Tale of Two Teams. There is the team that Mexico should be during this tournament. A team that has the likes and talent of Gio Dos Santos, Carlos Vela and Oribe Peralta up top and great players like Maza Rodriguez and Guillermo Ochoa securing the back. The team that showed itself during the World Cup, that scored effortlessly on Croatia and won respect by tying against the home team. A team that has precise passing and structure in the middle with the help of Hector Herrera and Jose “Gallito” Vasquez.

A team that shows strength, agility, talent and most of all, commitment to being the very best on the field regardless of the importance of the match. A team that comes from behind to tie Costa Rica 2-2 and scores two goals right off the bat in the second half of their June 27th friendly.

However, there is also the team that Mexico at times, unfortunately, can be. They can be the team that allows themselves to get scored two goals in the first half of a match they should be dominating. They are the team that ties against Honduras during a friendly while the US wins in an impressive 2-1 victory during their opening match of the Gold Cup, creating a powerful level of competition that could possibly awaiting the El Tri in the later stages of the tournament.

There is a lot of pressure with the “A” team. Some is misguided considering this is not the same team that played the Copa America and lost in the group stages of the tournament. Some of the weight falls on coach Miguel Herrera who has not won a match with the team in seven games.

But the key is the misguided pressure that the team faces. Almost as if the pressure comes from a place of unreasonable expectations where the bar is set in an area that the team never even existed in. And FIFA rankings should not be taken so seriously. The team has a good starting line-up for their opening match against Cuba.

Mexico XI to face Cuba (442): Ochoa, Rodriguez, Reyes, Aguilar, Layun, Vazquez, J Dos Santos, Guardado Herrera, Peralta, Vela.

— ESPN Tri (@ESPNFCtri) July 9, 2015

With the loss of Chicharito following the injury against Honduras, Oribe Peralta will take his place up top and has provided just as many scoring opportunities as Chicharito has. Match that up with Vela, and there is sure to be a strong attacking front against a team that is not at the same particular level of the Aztecs. “Gallito” Vazquez and Hector Herrera will also provide a good offensive and defensive center midfield team to better practice their strategies when it comes to counter attacks from the opposing team. Their subs are just as good as well. There is a strong and focused team that has the capability of winning the Gold Cup. Herrera's comments are always transparent and never hyperbolic in any way.

This is the team that Mexico should be. Of course, everyone knows who they at times can be. Let’s see tonight.

Mexico will play its last group stage match against Ecuador on Friday. With their recent (and frankly, very surprising) tie against Chile on Monday afternoon, their chances of advancing to the next round are very likely.

The match, which was dominated by Argentine-born Mexican striker Vicente Vuoso and his brace that allowed El Trito secure their 3-3 tie, left many spectators shocked and many people re-evaluating what they had said about Miguel Herrera.

Herrera has recently been under a microscope. The tie against Bolivia was dismal and the level of play during that game was very disappointing, especially since Herrera has made it very clear that his goal is to reach the finals of the Copa America. Add in the recent friendlies they had leading up to the tournament and the controversial political tweets that left many Mexico fans angry, and one could understand if the pressure is beginning to weigh in on Miguel Herrera.

But that is the thing.

Is it really that Miguel Herrera is being a bad coach or is it once again another cycle of the media’s pressure?

Let us face the facts, Mexico is either loved or hated by the media; at least here in the Americas. We saw it during the World Cup when they were showing their true talent, beating Croatia and keeping up with the home team Brazil in a 0-0 tie. But even then, the media did not give them enough credit. Mexico’s relationship with the media is like a parent with unrealistic expectations for their child.

Back in 2014, they wanted Mexico to play amazing and they did but once they lost against the Netherlands in the Round of 16, they were quick to say “That’s typical of Mexico to do.”

Even our own fans have gotten used to saying “Hoping for the best, expecting the worst.”

It is time to stop doing that. We should not expect the worst from the Mexican National Soccer Team. They are a great team and they have the great ability to do great things. Sometimes it is not the coach. Sometimes it is the players. Bolivia was a bad game that was sloppy and lacked proper ball control and passes. The match against Chile showed more desire up front but left with obvious to do in the defense.

These are fixable problems. Herrera knows this. It is the reason why after every match, he gives such a transparent answer no matter what. Why he provides postgame comments on the team’s official website. He is very tactical about his approach to the team. Every player deserves a chance and every match is as important as the next.

It just seems sometimes as if the media likes making mountains out of molehills when it comes to the Mexican National Soccer Team. Yes, postgame comments are necessary and analysis of each match pays the bills for some (I hope one day they’ll pay the bills for me... you know, like my water bill or phone bill). But at times, the hammer is just pushed down too hard.

I do not believe that Herrera’s time is coming to an end and if people try to define that through this Copa America tournament, well that’s a huge mistake. And don’t even get me started on that ridiculous #FueraPiojo hashtag that arose after the game against Bolivia.

This “B” team is adequately good. They do in fact have a chance to make it to the final. There are good players on the roster.

But seriously, save the real critiques and opinions of Herrera’s coaching style when the Gold Cup squad comes around in July. If they do not show up and deliver, then your pitchforks are welcome.

Mexico announced their preliminary 35-man roster on Wednesday following the required deadline given to each team by CONCACAF.

The announcement was made via the Mexican Football Federation’s website and tweeted out to their followers.

Names on the list:

1. Moisès Muñoz
2. Luis Michel
3. Guillermo Ochoa
4. Jonathan Orozco
5. Francisco Rodriguez
6. Oswaldo Alanìs
7. Miguel Angel Herrera
8. Diego Reyes
9. Hèctor Herrera
10. Yasser Corona
11. Hèctor Moreno
12. Paùl Aguilar
13. Hiram Mier
14. Miguel Layùn
15. Fernando Navarro
16. Jonathan Dos Santos
17. Antonio Dueñas
18. Erick Gutièrrez
19. Orbelin Pineda
20. Andrès Guardado
21. Nestor Calderòn
22. Jesus Granados
23. Miguel Briseño
24. Josè Vàzquez
25. Jesùs Corona
26. Carlos Silva
27. Carlos Vela
28. Javier Orozco
29. Oribe Peralta
30. Giovandi Dos Santos
31. Aldo De Nigris
32. Javier Hernandez

Miguel Herrera has been very considerate in publicly stating that his roster for the Copa America is just as important as the roster for Gold Cup. However, considering the strong name recognition seen for this Gold Cup squad, it is easy to see how where the focus is.

Name recognition is key here so therefore, the amount of power this team has is not only impressive but increases the expectations for the team to succeed. The upcoming friendlies against Costa Rica on June 27th and Honduras July 1st will also allow for some focus on certain players.

Jonathan Dos Santos going up into the Gold Cup is one of the great moves and a great expectation. The past couple of friendlies have shown him to be a strong and progressive midfielder and a strong challenger like Costa Rica will help him show his strength.

Ochoa is the obvious choice for the starting goalkeeper but with Corona out in Chile for Copa America, the friendlies can also give a chance for Moisès Muñoz and Michel to show their skill.

Andres Guardado will participate in his first tournament as El Tri’s captain and with his championship win with PSV Eindhoven in the Netherland still ringing in his ear, he comes to the tournament with a great attitude and strong talent. Expectations for him are reasonable and should likely be met.

The focus on strong European players will continue with players like Hector Herrera and Diego Reyes (who had a great run during the Champions League tournament with Porto despite their elimination), Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez (who also had an impressive Champions League tournament when he was given the playing time), and Giovani Dos Santos (with his consistent playing at Villareal) and of course Carlos Vela’s natural talent and impressive resume with the Mexican National Soccer Team.

Mexico’s preliminary roster does have an excessive number of players but even when it is cut down will leave the squad with plenty of options in all areas of the field.

The Gold Cup squads first friendly in preparation for the tournament will take place on Saturday, July 27th against Costa Rica.

El Tri will take on Cuba on July 9th in the first round of the 2015 Gold Cup in Chicago.

I know. I know. It’s been almost a week since Mexico faced the US in a friendly that left El Triat a 2-0 or #DosACero (as US fans have started to grow used to chanting) loss in San Antonio.

But even though it has been over a week and with my slow impending graduation slowly approaching (yikes!), there has been a lot of things that have kept my attention on it.

For one, when I was watching the game, I was in no way thinking that I should even try to write a post-game recap of it.

Let’s be honest, that game should not in any way have been taken seriously.

The field was a joke, neither side had its really important players (with exception of Michael Bradley and DeAndre Yedlin on the US side), and the level of play was that similar to a Sunday league team that has men in their 30’s still trying to live out their dream.

Disclosure: There is nothing wrong with men in their 30’s still trying to live out their dream.

Then came all this post-game publications and tweets and anything else that allows people to chime in their two cents. I include myself in this category.

A Trip Down Memory Lane

My first encounter with a Mexico vs. USA competition was during the 2002 World Cup when the US beat Mexico 2-0 and knocked them out in the Round of 16. There were tears throughout my house and I did not understand why. Back then, my love for the sport was not quite what it is today. Specifically for the Mexican National Soccer Team.

I learned that Landon Donovan was the enemy.

People who were American/US fans would mockingly do the “gooooool” yell when I mentioned I went for Mexico. Or thought it was funny that I pronounced it “Meh-hee-co.” Even more so, that when I first heard the word “football,” I didn’t know people weren’t talking about soccer.

It was a very interesting time for me and as many Mexican-Americans feel, it becomes an interesting relationship you have with yourself about the situation. I grew up in a predominantly Hispanic community so eating raspados and making jokes about the lady who sold food out of shopping cart was an every day thing. Everyone I knew spoke Spanish and we all had the same customary upbringing.

It was not until I reached college that I really felt my heritage making me an outsider. Even if my college was in the heart of Los Angeles, my journalism major had me in classes where I was the only Hispanic… or at least, the only Hispanic that looked like a Hispanic. And being in a college where football is pretty much worshipped, liking soccer was so foreign to everyone around me. Nobody even knew about the latest soccer matches coming up. All you really saw were Real Madrid or Manchester United jerseys.

Then in my junior year of college, the 2014 qualifiers and the World Cup was going to take place and the US/Mexico rivalry (and my confusing search for self-identity as a Mexican-American) went into full affect.

Long story short: it was just as confusing. When the games were on, I’d prefer watching Mexico games to the US games. I wouldn’t go for the US during the games. I continued getting the same questions I’d been getting since I was small, “Why do you go for Mexico? Weren’t you born in the United States?”

Yes, I was born in the United States. But I was raised in a Mexican household. And that lives within me. And like most Mexican-American people, it has allowed me to see both sides of my life. I can speak Spanish and English. I pay attention to both the Mexican team and the American team. And I love the Mexican team.

Sorry you guys always have to go through a story for me to get to the point…

Which is why after the most recent US vs. Mexico game, I can say this:

Please, relax.

This game was not serious. Will both coaches take into account the second-string players they played on the field? Yes. Is this what we expect to see in the tournaments coming up? No. Maybe partially in the Copa America, but no, this is not what we expect to see. At all.

The Mexico/US rivalry is long-winded and with the rise of social media, allows for people that don’t really watch the games or focus on the big picture (not really pointing fingers here, but “I believe that we” can decide which group of people that is) to make assumptions off games like this.

Which only means that when we finally have a competition where both teams face each other with their best players and in my opinion, during their best times with two really good coaches, the amount of discussion will get very interesting.

As Herrera said, “We will let the games during the Gold Cup decide.”

All video is unedited and was shot by Amy Lopez

Chicharito on Career:

Guardado On Career:

Guardado On New Generation of Mexicans

Guardado On The Two Close Tournaments This Summer:

Mexico practiced at UCLA this week in preparation for their upcoming match against Ecuador. Andres Guardado and Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez talk about the match as well as the expectations for the new players.

All video was filmed, shot and edited by Amy Lopez.

Miguel Herrera just finished participating in a Hangout on Tuesday afternoon in Google’s Mexico headquarters to share his plans for El Tri for 2015.

The Mexico National Soccer Team’s twitter account advertised the event for some days leading up and even did some publicity by retweeting fans who asked questions and were involved in the hangout themselves.

Since the team was handed to Miguel Herrera, the use of social media and engagement with fans and media outlets has been nothing short of generous from the Mexican National Soccer Team and strategically, it has been tastefully done.

The Daily News recently published an article stating the Mexican National Soccer Team rules social media with the most followers on Twitter (2.98 million) and Facebook (8.92 million) with a total of 11.9 followers on both platforms. Brazil follows in second with 10.5 million but there is something about the way Mexico has managed their publicity that is working.

Although I tend to sound like a broken record, the dark days of Mexico’s journey during the 2013-early 2014 qualifiers was very well handled when it came to their marketing strategy leading up to the World Cup in Brazil.

There is this very well-placed vulnerability that the Mexican National Soccer Team is using that does not place pity for its team, but as they did for Brazil in 2014, wishes for people to believe in them again.

And with Miguel Herrera’s own personal standpoint of constantly tweeting out (in the past before and after games, especially the scandalous Round of 16 match against Netherlands) whenever he felt it was necessary to engage with the fans really shows.

Currently, the Mexican National Soccer Federation, or Selección Mexicana de Fútbol, has opened up its media platforms to every single possible facet. They have over 16,000 subscribers on YouTube, millions of followers on Twitter and Facebook, over 10,000 followers on their Vine account, 316,000 followers on Instagram, and they even have a Pinterest (21,916 followers) and a Google+ account (475,328 followers)!

This is not to discredit any other teams who are also trying to branch out or promote themselves through these strategies but clearly the Mexican National Soccer Team is doing something right if they are being declared “the rules of social media” by some outlets. It might be somewhat a hyperbole but when one looks at the way the team and the organization has rebranded themselves as Phoenixes rising from their ashes and proving themselves through their new way of playing, the performances given during every match, and the approach to be clear and direct from their very honest and straightforward coach, one can’t help but respect what’s going on with Mexican soccer.

In my last post confirming an upcoming friendly against Paraguay in Kansas City for El Tri, I also hinted at the Mexican Football Federation discussing negotiations for a match against either Costa Rica or Ecuador.

Well, today the Mexican Football Federation revealed via their official website that the other friendly in March will in fact be against Ecuador on March 28th at the Coliseum in Los Angeles.

Not soon after, the LA Memorial Coliseum confirmed the news with a post on Twitter:

@lacoliseum @ColiseumJack PRESALE VIP PACKAGES AVAILABLE CODE: CARLOSVELA15 http://t.co/XzLrAeUjVE pic.twitter.com/tasC2RcDw3

— Jill Coliseum (@ColiseumJill) January 22, 2015

Now, I know I promised that most of my posts would be informative and not completely personal opinions but this one I simply can’t contain because this is seriously such a perfect time for Mexico to come back to California, particularly, Los Angeles.

A digressive tangent with a point

My very last Mexico game was in 2010 when Mexico faced New Zealand at the Rose Bowl.

I remember feeling so happy about the fact that there were so many other fans wearing their jerseys with pride and that there was this aura of this love for soccer that I had not been able to feel before.

Of course, back then I did not know or follow the Mexican National Team as much as I do now.

Before it was simply a hobby that I love. Now it is something that I love that I want to turn into a career.

Not many of you know this but I go the University of Southern California, which is obviously, at the heart of Los Angeles and literally right next door to the Coliseum.

I’m currently a senior at USC and for the past three and half years, I have spent most of my studies (I’m studying Broadcast & Digital Journalism with a Sports Media Studies Minor) trying to enlighten those around me about the beauty that is soccer. Going into the university, especially one that is—without a doubt—very American-football oriented, I realized that trying to like anything that was pushing against the current was hard the first couple of months I was there.

No one knew any players other than Ronaldo or Messi. Whenever I asked someone who they went for when I talked about the Premiere League, they did not “have a favorite team; they were all good.” And when the 2014 World Cup happened last year, there was barely any mention of it in my classes during the spring or fall semester. Whenever some mentioned it in my classes later that fall, only three or so people who raise their hands to talk about them even actually watching a game.

There was the hipster soccer fan in me that didn’t want to have these “new fans” who only knew about Donovan or Messi or Neymar to start loving the sport but then there was that other part of me urging to pay attention. This sport matters. It’s “The World’s Game!”

Conclusion: It Matters Here In Los Angeles Too

I commute to USC and whenever I drive to school, I’m constantly passing by soccer fields. Go own Vernon Ave, and you’ll catch 40-year-old men playing with all their hearts. Go down Figueroa, you’ll catch a few fields too. Even behind the Coliseum, while football season is high and in motion, go down Vermont Ave and you’ll see soccer fields behind the stadium where different girls and boys’ soccer teams are playing on the grass provided right there.

Soccer is an integral part of the Los Angeles community and to all the Hispanic people that inhabit the city from all parts.

Which is why I’m so excited for the game on March 28th. It means that little soccer shop on Figueroa and Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd will have more fans coming out to try to buy the latest jersey.

Pre-gaming will mean carts full of bacon-wrapped hotdogs waiting to be purchased, ESPN Deportes and all our favorite Spanish radio networks having tents, giving out prizes, and playing cumbias. Speaking Spanish will be a norm and knowing about Miguel Herrera’s legacy before the World Cup dramatics that we all loved will be an easy conversation piece. It will mean that having a soccer ball and juggling on the sidewalk next to Jill and Jack will be okay.

Soccer is coming back to Los Angeles and with Mexico playing at the Coliseum, it’s coming back in a beautiful way.

I’m so excited to share this with all the non-fans and hopefully convert them and make them understand why this sport matters.

The latest updates from FIFA revealed upcoming friendlies for Mexico in March of 2015.

The international organization announced via their site that the match against Paraguay will take place on March 31st in Kansas City and will be the second stop in Mexico’s first tour throughout the United States for 2015. FIFA allows two dates for international friendlies in March: the 23rd and the 31st.

According to the Mexican Football Federation, there are still many negotiations taking place about which team will be given the chance to face the Aztecs on the 23rd, but the current rivals up for discussion are Costa Rica and Ecuador.

Regardless of the opponent, these upcoming friendlies are without a doubt practice for El Tri who will be facing many South American teams in the summer for the Copa America tournament in June as well as the Copa Oro that takes place right after in July of 2015.

I usually am not going to write in such a first-person narrative. Of course, this blog is my platform to express my opinions and views but just for clarification, these types of blog posts are not what I’m striving for. But feel free to still enjoy my writing.

Hey my 5-23 readers/viewers (yes, I check my stats)! I have not posted in almost two weeks and for that I am very sorry. Again, to the 5-23 viewers that actually read this blog. Between my very hectic finals schedule and taking care of my very cute one-year-old child, I kept up with the latest Mexico-ish news but haven’t time to really post on it and process it the way games or other “in your face” news usually does.

Just think of this time you didn’t see me writing or shamelessly self-promoting myself on Twitter as a hiatus during the Thanksgiving Holiday the way that Stephen Colbert or The Daily Show does (yes… that totally was my approach).

With that being said, I finally have time to write and would like to give quick recaps to prove that I am a true fan and as a sports journalist focusing on El Tri, I am constantly thinking about these things on a daily basis:

1. I believe Chicharito is doing a phenomenal job on Real Madrid. The fact that Pellegrini is considering keeping him as more than just a loan is saying a lot.

2. Raul Jimenez and Ochoa finally starting for their teams a couple of weeks ago shows vast improvement from Mexicans going to Europe.

3. Hector Herrera is doing great things with Porto and being named on the UEFA’s Team of the Week for Champions League shows that his hard work is paying off. Expect more great things from the young midfielder.

5. Congrats to the younger guys and girls’ Mexico teams for winning gold in the XXII Juegos Centroamericanos. Plenty of talent for both the men and women's team to look at for possible upcoming World Cups.

6. Mexico's group for the Copà America was definitely expected and with them facing Chile, I expect Herrera to bring out a strong team in order for them to win the Cup and prove themselves a strong national team.

7. Miguel Herrera renewing his contract with the Mexican Futbol Federation was entirely expected but also very reassuring.

Como ya saben, se ratificó mi contrato con @miseleccionmx hasta Rusia 2018 y con esto ratifico mi compromiso con el equipo y con el país.

— Miguel Herrera (@MiguelHerreraDT) December 5, 2014

Again, sorry I haven’t been on top of my blog posts. This blog is honestly one of my great creations and I want to keep nurturing it and growing; both the blog and myself as a sports journalist. School is over now and plenty of time for me to keep watching out for the bright future of both current and upcoming Mexican talent! Looking forward to it!

Thanks for stopping by!