Dignitaries from all over the world will gather in Brazil in early December for the FIFA World Cup draw as the field of teams is divided into groups for next summer’s festivities. As part of its “32 teams in 32 days” series, SPORTSNET.CA will profile each of the nations set to compete at Brazil, leading up to the draw on Dec. 6.
Traditionally, Mexico is the class of CONCACAF. With more World Cup appearances (14) and more Gold Cup titles (9) than any other of its continental cohorts, as well as being the only CONCACAF side to win a Confederations Cup title, El Tri are historically the best team in the region. But this time around Mexico struggled through the Hex, dropping points at Azteca—it’s not the fortress it once was—and suffered through a major identity crisis as it went through four different managers in 2013. Mexico was minutes away from World Cup elimination, and only snuck in through the back door thanks to the United States—how’s that for poetic justice?—and a forgiving playoff format that saw them take on minnows New Zealand. They qualified for the World Cup, but just barely.
Programming alert: Watch the World Cup draw from Brazil on Dec. 6 live on all four main Sportsnet channels. Coverage begins at 10:30 am ET/7:30 am PT | TV schedule
How they got here: It’s fair to say that Mexico took the hardest road they could find to the World Cup. In the final round, Mexico seemed determined to draw themselves to death, with five of the 10 games ending in ties. In fact, Mexico only won two matches in CONCACAF’s final round, a staggeringly weak display from a team usually considered a regional heavyweight. Part of the problem is their sudden inability to win at home. While Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca was once one of the great fortresses in world soccer—at elevation and always brimming with a massive, rabid crowd—Mexico started the final round of CONCACAF qualifying with three scoreless draws at home, before losing 2-1 at the Azetca to Honduras. It wasn’t until their second-last match that Mexico mustered a win in their capital.
Key match: It came on Oct. 15, 2013 when the U.S. won in Panama. Yeah, that’s right—the most important match of Mexico’s qualifying campaign was one they didn’t even play in. Going into the final matchday of the Hex, Mexico was in deep trouble. Playing away to Costa Rica, they needed a win or for Panama to lose or draw to lock down fifth in CONCACAF and a berth in the inter-continental playoff against New Zealand. The Mexicans lost, and would have felt their hearts drop to see the U.S.—who’d already qualified and had nothing to play for—losing as regular time expired. Enter Graham Zusi. The Kansas City midfielder’s goal in the 91st minute made him just about the only American national team player who won’t ever have to pay for a cerveza South of the Border. Aron Johannsson’s goal goal in the 93rd minute sealed the result, making the U.S. the unlikely saviours of their most bitter rivals. Mexico went on to romp through the playoff, beating the Kiwis 9-3 on aggregate.
Star player: Manchester United’s Javier “Chicarito” Hernandez may have the bigger name, but these days Santos Laguna striker Oribe Peralta is the man banging in the goals for Mexico. His 10 goals overall in World Cup qualifying tied him for second in CONCACAF. For a spell there, he was just about the only Mexican who could find the net—in the final round Mexico scored only seven times, less than half the American total, with Peralta nabbing three. The 29-year-old found his shooting boots in the playoff, however, putting five past New Zealand over two legs. Mexico’s dim hopes in Brazil rest largely on Peralta keeping his form bright.
Player on the bubble: Carlos Vela may be on the bubble, or maybe the bubble has already burst. After playing over 30 games for El Tri, the 24-year-old striker was suspended from the team for six months in 2010 for breaching team discipline (read: partying too much). He returned for a friendly, before his relationship with team management soured to the point that Vela started refusing calls. Two years and several managers later, Vela often flirts with a return, but continues to decline calls. In the meantime, he’s become exactly the striker Mexico craves. His nose for net and undeniable technical skill are much needed by a suddenly toothless attack. Manager Miguel Herrera has ruled out calling Vela for the World Cup, but at this point who knows what twists remain in this tale.
Team strengths: Defence. The only thing that saved Mexico through an otherwise disastrous final qualifying round was their ability to keep clean sheets. The backline kept the opponents out four times in 10 games in the final round, and only allowed two goals in six matches in the previous round.
Team weaknesses: Showing up when it matters. Mexico’s inability to, y’know, score goals and win games only seems to extend to competitive matches (notwithstanding their trouncing of minnows New Zealand). In recent friendlies with African heavies Nigeria and Ivory Coast, they drew 2-2 and won 4-1, respectively, and they tuned up for the Kiwis with a 4-2 trouncing of Finland. So it’s not that they can’t do it; they’ve just struggled to put the pieces together in competitive matches. Part of the problem is the managerial merry-go-round that saw El Tri blow through four head coaches in 2013. Perhaps they get some stability under current manager Miguel Herrera, but will they all learn to get along in time?
World Cup record:
1930—First round
1934—Did not qualify
1938—Withdrew
1950 to 1966— First round
1970—Quarter-finals
1974—Did not qualify
1978—First round
1982—Did not qualify
1986—Quarter-finals
1990—Banned
1994-2010—Second round
Team profiles: Algeria | Argentina | Australia | Belgium | Bosnia and Herzegovina | Cameroon | Chile | Costa Rica | Colombia | Croatia | Ecuador | England| Germany | Ghana | Greece | Honduras | Iran | Italy | Ivory Coast | Japan | Mexico | The Netherlands | Nigeria | Portugal | Russia | South Korea | Spain | Switzerland | United States | Uruguay