Carlos Vela came. He saw. He conquered. Mexico won against Netherlands Wednesday in Amsterdam in an exciting 3-2 friendly. Carlos Vela scored a brace, having his first goal come at the 8th minute of the game and from his very touch on the ball before he blasted it inside the goal from outside the 18. He would score again from a great switch from Corona (who had just come in seconds before) in the 62nd minute and Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez secured the victory with a great breakaway goal later on in the 69th minute.
Carlos Vela silenced skeptics and reluctant fans with his brace. But that should not be the only thing that should be taken from this game.
Yes, it is a friendly and yes, the two goals Mexico let in from both Sneijder and Blind were a result of too much space made available by the defense and midfield. Yes, real, intense competition for Mexico to really prove themselves does not come up for another couple of months but to claim that this game is not a big deal would be a mistake.
This was not a game of revenge. Herrera himself said that. This was not a game to applaud Vela only to condemn him for not going to the World Cup and creating this result when it mattered most. This was a game about learning.
The past is in the past. It is time to look forward at what is happening for Mexican soccer internationally.
Is there still work to do with the team? Of course. That can be said about any team.
What has always made me a believer of El Tri and any loyal fan knows is that the team is a great international power. To say they aren’t would be a mistake. But to have reason to believe that they aren’t would be understandable to those who haven’t paid close enough attention to the team.
Which is why I say this: It’s time to start paying attention.
There is something brewing within the Mexican National Soccer Team that is finally making sense. The puzzle pieces of Miguel Herrera’s masterpiece that he has had planned since he was given the okay to take control of the team are slowly coming together.
It’s important to understand that it’s numerous puzzle pieces. Carlos Vela is a crucial part of it but he is not the part responsible of bringing out the masterpiece. Players that have always been there are just as important. Guardado being named as Captain has been a good move. The emergence of a neglected Jonathan Dos Santos is important. Bringing in new talent like Jesùs Corona is also an important piece. There's the strong veterans that made a new for themselves at the World Cup: Hector Herrera, Chicharito, Oribe Peralta, Miguel Layun,Josè "Gallito" Vasquez and Gio Dos Santos. Herrera making bold choices like changing up the formation on the field is a great new to try right now. Improving the defense since the departure of Rafa Marquez is also a good part of it all as well so that goals like the ones that Netherlands scored can be avoided.
Mexico’s not at its best level yet and that is okay. But this game matters when it comes to the fundamental aspects of the team.
And that’s a big deal.
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