USA Flying High While Mexico Struggles

The World Cup qualifying rounds are starting to get exciting in the Central and North America’s.  USA won their recent two matches this round, with a 2-1 result at Jamaica and a 2-0 win against Panama at home.  However their neighbors to the south, Mexico, haven’t been having a great amount of success on their road to Brazil. 

With five draws out of their first six games in qualifying and only two more home games left, the Mexican team is going to need to make some sort of change if they plan on advancing.  Prior to their most recent 0-0 draw at home against Costa Rica, the manager didn't seem very confident or like he had a plan.  He was saying things that gave the message: it doesn't matter how we play, we just need a result.  If you aren't concerned with how your team is going to play a game, especially at such a high level, your team is going to look sloppy on the field. In the game, Mexico looked unorganized going forward with no real style of play.  The offensive tactics weren't the only thing that appeared to be nonexistent in the game, though.

When a coach makes these comments, it can only lead to negative attitudes from players, coaches, and even fans.  The Mexican players never looked like they had any fire or competitive edge in the game.  The only feeling that came from the players, and really the entire stadium, was a feeling of desperation and defeat.  In their previous draw at home against the USA, the Mexican fans were obviously upset which was demonstrated by all of their 'Boos' and whistles after the game.  After the draw against Costa Rica, the fans were silent.  They are scared and don’t know what to expect of their team. 

On the other side of the border, American soccer fans are feeling great right now. They are top of the table through the first half of the final qualifying round, and still have three games to play at home.  Not only are the results starting to go in favor of the Americans, but they are finally playing an entertaining brand of soccer.  They keep possession and pass the ball around well, and there are incredible improvements in the creativity in the offensive third.

The players have been showing confidence and composure from the first whistle, making their presence in the game known early.  USA needs one more thing (provided they advance like they should) in order to have a chance to do well in the World Cup: consistency.  If the players can keep their current level of form for the next year and if they can keep a consistent group of players together from now to then, they will surprise many opposing and doubting nations in Brazil 2014. 

USA plays their sixth game of the final qualifying round against Honduras on June 18 in Salt Lake City, Utah.  A win will almost guarantee qualifying to the World Cup, but the match will be a much bigger test for the Americans then their previous two.  Mexico doesn't play another game for qualifying until September, so the time off (and their time at the Confederation's Cup this summer) should provide an opportunity to get organized before then.