Javier Aguirre Steps Down As Mexico National Team Coach

Javier Aguirre, the coach nicknamed “El Vasco,” who turned around the fortunes of the Mexican national soccer team and guided it to the 2010 World Cup, announced his resignation Wednesday, just a few days after Mexico was eliminated from the World Cup with a 3-1 loss to Argentina in South Africa.

When Aguirre took over the team during CONCACAF World Cup qualifying 15 months ago, Mexico was in shambles and didn’t look like a team that would come close to earning one of the final three regional bids. Turnover for coaches is high in Mexico -- along with fans’ expectations -- but Aguirre accepted a second stint as coach of El Tri and had success.

From April 2009, Mexico surged into the top three and earned the No. 2 berth in the World Cup from CONCACAF, beating the U.S. in the Gold Cup for the regional championship along the way. But after Mexico finished with the second spot in Group A at the World Cup, it had to play Argentina and the players came apart after a bad call went against them.

Mexico has failed to get past the Round of 16 five straight times. It reached the quarterfinals in 1970 and 1986, when it hosted the World Cup. Clearly that isn’t good enough in Mexico, though fans’ expectations are pretty unrealistic, so Aguirre made the move.

“I have to leave, it’s the most honest thing to do. I think the future is in the hands of our young players,” Aguirre told reporters in Mexico City. “Everything I did, I did thinking of the well-being of Mexico.”

Mexico should have won its group but fell flat against Uruguay. In fact, not winning the group could go back to a 1-1 tie against South Africa in the first game, but at least Mexico got a point out of that match. Losing to Uruguay pit the Mexicans against Argentina in the Round of 16 instead of South Korea, a lower-caliber opponent.

So Mexico needs a coach. That person will be the sixth national team coach since Ricardo La Volpe left after the 2006 World Cup. The team is young and has a lot of potential and promise, but it’s hard to progress without consistency in the coaching ranks.

That said, Aguirre made some questionable decisions with his World Cup lineups. He seemed to make his choices based on his relationships with players, going with aging veterans over younger players. Guillermo Franco and Oscar Perez didn’t pan out at forward and goalkeeper, but those two aren’t likely to be back with the team in 2014, thank goodness.

For U.S. And Mexico, Round Of 16 Appearances Not Enough

The U.S. and Mexico are both now out of the World Cup, the Americans losing to Ghana in extra time Saturday and Mexico overwhelmed by a referee’s call and its own mistakes in a loss to Argentina Sunday.

Both teams made it out of their respective groups to get into the knockout round, but made quick exits once there. Deficiencies in both sides were revealed, as the U.S. lacked a quality striker who could be a constant scoring threat and really made it harder on itself having to come from behind so often. For Mexico, too many good scoring chances missed and some iffy lineup decisions in a couple of games by coach Javier Aguirre.

I thought this U.S. team was primed for at least a run to the quarterfinals, even without Charlie Davies, who was not selected for the team after a long recovery from injuries sustained in a bad car accident. But the Yanks clearly missed Davies’ speed and willingness to attack. Winning their group was impressive, but the Round of 16, which used to be good enough in past World Cups, is now underachieving for this team.

This country has come a long way with soccer development, and while it still isn’t where it could be in terms of fan support of the game, the time has come to be better. It isn’t good enough to be the best in the CONCACAF region and to beat Mexico at home all the time now. It’s time to graduate into the elites, as in a consistent top-10 FIFA ranking.

For Mexico, a star was born in this World Cup with young Manchester United-bound striker Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez, and El Tri has a bright future at striker with Carlos Vela, Giovani Dos Santos and Pablo Barrera. Those are the players that will carry the flame for this team into the future. So will young defenders like Hector Moreno and Paul Aguilar and Efrain Juarez. Plus, things can only get better at goalkeeper, where Memo Ochoa should take over permanently and should have played more in this World Cup.

Mexico did well to get to the Round of 16 with a lot of young players, but it has to learn to overcome adversity. The bad call that led to Argentina’s first goal Sunday really affected the players and broke their focus. Argentina was clearly the better and more experienced team, but Mexico collapsed mentally for too long in the game and it cost them.

Finally, both teams’ coaches have to be smart in picking the World Cup rosters. There were definitely some questions about the players picked, be it politics, playing favorites, whatever. The best need to be on the field and not overwhelmed on the big stage.

In the years ahead, Mexico, with its talent, has a good chance to reclaim its place as the best team in North America. But the U.S. is on top of the mountain for now, and it's time stop setting the bar at improvement year after year and start thinking bigger.

United States Falls to Ghana As Jozy Altidore Flops With Conviction

USA To Play Ghana In Round Of 16

It’s official: after Germany beat Ghana, the USA learned who its next opponent would be.

The Germans will take on England in a rousing rematch of World War II, while America will continue its Imperialistic vision against the African nation of Ghana.

Hopefully the Yankees can score some goals early and avoid any … ahem… questionable officiating.

Video: Landon Donavan's Game Winning Goal

Landon Donavan's Late Goal Lifts US Over Algeria, 1-0

Recap via SB Nation’s World Cup Hub

When the 90th minute came around, the United States was out of the World Cup England had beaten Slovenia to move to the top of Group C, and the United States’ 0-0 draw would leave them one point behind Slovenia for second place.

It took only seconds – one counter attack – to put the United States through to the knockout stage of the World Cup, with Landon Donovan cleaning-up the rebound of a Jozy Altidore shot to give the United States a 1-0 win over Algeria.

The play started in the U.S.‘s end, with an Algeria header saved by Tim Howard at his right post. Howard then sprung the States into a counter attack, where Donovan fed the ball to Jozy Altidore to the right of the penalty area. The striker’s shot was saved by Rais M’Bolhu, who gave up a rebound in front of goal. Donovan ran onto the ball and finished from nine yards out to given the United States their first group win in the their World Cup history.

The result comes as redemption for another frustrating match for the United States, who saw another goal controversially disallowed. Clint Dempsey’s apparent opener was judged to be from an offside position, though replays showed the attacker to be onside.

Mexicans Will Mess With Messi

Mexico’s 1-0 loss to suddenly sizzling Uruguay at the World Cup didn’t end El Tri’s trip to South Africa, but standing in the way of their advancement in the tournament now is mighty Argentina.

Uruguay won Group A, and thanks to South Africa’s win over France by only a 2-1 score, Mexico squeaked into the elimination round as the No. 2 team from Group A.

That team plays the first-place team from Group B, which will be Argentina, on Sunday. The two-time world champions are a formidable squad led by young striker Lionel Messi, regarded as the world’s best player. 

This was not the ideal situation for Mexico. Had it won the group, it would have played a good but lower-caliber opponent in the Korea Republic, a game Mexico would have had better odds of winning. Now the Mexicans have to beat Messi and a whole host of scoring threats just to get to the quarterfinals.

Mexico’s coach, Javier Aguirre, and players said they were going for the win. They had to be certainly cognizant that Argentina loomed ahead, because Argentina knocked Mexico out of the 2006 "mundial" with a 2-1 win in Germany. So the rematch is at hand. 

Aguirre said his team looked tense, but Mexico got close to scoring several times. A shot by Andres Guardado in the 22nd minute hit the top of the goal and bounced away.

Aguirre had been making good moves as far as his lineup and substitutions, but he did not have the injured Carlos Vela to start at striker and Efrain Juarez was unable to play because of a red card suspension. That appeared to have an effect, as Cuauhtemoc Blanco, usually a sub late in the game, and Guille Franco, who was largely ineffective, got the call up front.

Just a bad day at work for Mexico, too many balls given away with faulty clearances and mistakes, and the price is a date with Argentina. Which just screams elimination, unless Mexico does everything right.

Consensus from Mexican fans I've heard from: Bring on Argentina, we owe them! False bravado if you ask me. Love the spirit, but there isn't much confidence behind it. 

Mexico Dominates France In World Cup, Moves Closer To Knockout Stage

On May 5, 1862, Mexico’s ragtag army scored the most improbable of battlefield victories against Napolean III’s powerful French force. The day of the Mexican victory is celebrated today as Cinco de Mayo.

On June 17, 2010, Mexico’s soccer warriors, also underdogs, got the best of France yet again. This time on the pitch in South Africa before a partisan crowd. And it will be another day the Mexicans and their fans will long remember.

In as close to a must-win situation as possible without being one, Mexico came through with 2-0 World Cup win over France. Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez, in only his 14th international appearance, scored his eight international goal and first in his first World Cup, in the 64th minute.

Even Hernandez seemed surprised as he gathered in a pass from Rafael Marquez, barely avoiding an offside call, and put away a one-on-one chance after drawing the goalkeeper out.

Mexico moved closer to advancing out of the group stage, as veteran Cuahtemoc Blanco came off the bench and fired home a penalty kick in the 79th minute for the final score.

France was lucky to be in Africa in the first place after a handball in qualifying that wasn't called against poor Ireland, which deserved better. And the French have shown they don't belong, as their World Cup is almost certainly over after their last group game on Tuesday.

So many stars and talent, yet a listless performance in two games. And this team was in the World Cup final only four years ago! 

Para los mexicanos y chicanos que les gustan al Tri, una gran celebracion por todas partes de nuestro mundo. En mi opinion humilde, eso fue uno de los mejores juegos para Mexico en la historia de la seleccion.

Translation: For Mexicans and Chicanos (like me) who like El Tri, a huge celebration throughout our world. In my humble opinion, this was one of the best games for Mexico in the history of the national team.

Mexico, winless against France in six previous meetings including a draw, finally broke through on the biggest stage. It got goals from two subs, further making coach Javier Aguirre look good for his decision-making. The Mexican side had the better scoring chances in the first half, with the best of the four notable ones a shot from Carlos Salcido blocked by France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris in the 27th minute.

The French began to pick things up early in the second half but were deflated by Hernandez’s goal. And now, Mexico , with four points in Group A, is tied with Uruguay for the lead in the group with one game left for each of the four teams.

France and South Africa have one point each, and one team needs to win big over the other next week in order to have a chance to advance. Mexico and Uruguay play each other in their group finales on June 22, and if it is a draw or one-goal win for either team, both advance to the knockout stage.

Mexico typically makes it to the knockout stage in World Cup play, but this time around, they are making it happen with a younger, faster team that has a bright future and present. Aguirre is making all the right moves, Marquez is finally playing well when it matters, Conejo Perez is solid in goal, and Mexico won this match without one of its best strikers, Carlos Vela, for 69 minutes. He left the game with an injury, and his replacement, Pablo Barrera, drew the foul in the box that got Mexico its PK goal.

Certainly a memorable performance for Mexico, except Efrain Juarez got a silly yellow card for shoving France’s Florent Malouda in the back and will miss the next match. With the way the Mexican bench is playing, he may not be missed at all. 

Here's hoping all Mexico fans in Arizona enjoyed this one as much as I did! 

Como se dice (How do you say) 'Whew!' en espanol?

All things considered, Mexico has to be somewhat satisfied with the draw it achieved against host nation South Africa in the opening game of the 2010 World Cup on Friday.

Though it came in as the favorite in this match -- and played like it for almost all of the first half -- Mexico trailed 1-0 in the 55th minute thanks to Siphiwe Tshabalala's (sounds like a Counting Crows song chorus) historic strike of a goal, the first World Cup goal on African soil. The sheer significance of that moment, plus playing the host nation in the opener in an emotionally-charged stadium, might have been enough to make the Mexicans bow to the pressure.

You could feel the air being let out of that red, white and green balloon. 

But veteran Rafa Marquez made sure Mexico wouldn't walk away empty-handed with his goal in the 79th minute. It seemed to settle his team over the final 11-plus minutes.

Mexico probably could have won this game as easily as lost it. Its fans will no doubt find plenty to question -- for example, why not start the game with Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez, a dynamic scorer, over an average-performing Guillermo Franco? Why did its backline look so shaky? What to do against the perceived better teams in Group A, Uruguay and France, if only a draw was achieved against lowly South Africa?

The Mexican side controlled possession and had more chances to score in the first half, as the South Africans struggled to calm their nerves and find a groove. Striker Giovani Dos Santos put to rest any doubt that he has finally arrived as the player Mexico has long hoped he would become, his two best chances to score coming in the 19th and 60th minute. And Mexico had a goal taken away on an offsides call in the first half.

But South Africa composed itself and changed the momentum in the early part of the second half. Where it could have let the game slip away from them in the first half, Bafana Bafana was a different and more attacking team in the second. The dance number after their goal was worth the price of a ticket itself, sort of an African macarena.

Going forward, Mexico weathered the storm of that opening game, but based on the sentiment that this could be the farthest-advancing Mexican World Cup team ever, it has much to ponder. Clearly it has scoring capability and its strength is up front. South Africa, for its part, showed it is a team that can make the most of limited chances.