The weather was not the only thing chilly about Mexico’s game. Yes, I might be acting a bit dramatic, but the game played on Tuesday morning was not the level of play most fans were used to seeing since Miguel Herrera took charge of the team… which made it that much more scary and left goose bumps running down my back.
The game Tuesday morning ended with Mexico losing against Belarus 3-2, with four goals being scored in seven minutes and Belarus scoring their winning goal in the 89th minutes of play.
Cue the chilling sensation.
Mexico’s 2014 season ended the way it started: with feelings of confusion. Mexico hadn’t played a game of this very slow caliber since… the dark days.
But Mexico is not in the same position it was at the beginning of 2014. They haven’t talked three steps forward and four steps back. If anything, they’ve only taken two steps back. They’re not where they started, but they do still need to keep moving.
There are a few things to take away from this game:
- The second string players are not at the same level as the starting players.
- Mexico’s defense has not been the same since Rafa Marquez retired.
- Jonathan Dos Santos is proving himself on the international level and should continue to be given more playing time.
- Raul Jimenez is just one of the many examples of how Miguel Herrera is trying to make sure his players are given the chance to show they are capable of playing in the European market.
- Hector Herrera is instrumental for the middle and it was obvious (but Jonathan showed remarkable potential and a partnership could work there).
- Despite the second string players lacking the same skill as the starters, Herrera is brewing up something more for his players.
Mexico showed its old face with this game against Belarus, but the new face had something different about it.
It is not as sad or disappointing.
They did not play as bad as old Mexico. Old Mexico probably would not have even scored against Belarus and let those three goals in with unspeakable lack of effort.
The two goals from Mexico’s B-players showed that there is hope for the substitutes, which puts the starters (Vela, Chicharito, Guardado, etc) in a very strong and important position.
This game might have brought back old feelings, but things have changed. Lessons will be learned from this game that wouldn’t have been done at the beginning of 2014. Miguel Herrera is still the man. And I expect great things for 2015.
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