#28-Mexico

#28-Mexico
Nickname-El Tri
CONCACAF
FIFA Ranking-#20
Group E (Brazil, Croatia, Cameroon, Mexico)
Projected Results...
Loss to Brazil
Loss to Croatia
Tie to Cameroon
Manager-Miguel Herrera
Qualified through fourth place in CONCACAF Hexagonal, which qualified them for a playoff vs. New Zealand. Won playoff 9-3 on aggregate
15th World Cup Appearance (1930, 1950, 1954, 1958, 1962, 1966, 1970, 1978, 1986, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010)

Most people see Mexico and view them as a team that can make it out of the group stages, and that could very well be the case again this World Cup.  Their group is not particularly strong, but Brazil is a lock to finish first in the group.  Their FIFA ranking is #20.  So why do I have them ranked #28?  Reason-Their recent form.  Mexico was absolutely dreadful during qualifying.  They played like total garbage and didn't seem to care at all.  They backed in to the playoff against New Zealand, needing the United States to bail them out by winning their game against Panama because Mexico had lost to Costa Rica.  It was embarrassing for the country.  Mexican commentators were saying ridiculous things that didn't even make sense ("The coach should take his pants off."  What?!)  The team nonetheless thrashed New Zealand in the playoff, which was expected given the differing skill levels.  The team needs to meet their expectations and play to their talent level if they are going to finish above 4th in their group.  Miguel Herrera is a fairly new voice in the dressing room, having taken over as manager in October.  So which players will need to have an impact in order for Mexico to make it out of the group stages?

Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez-Chicharito is going to need to score timely goals for this Mexican team, as he possesses the most quality and scoring prowess of any player in the squad.  He plays for one of the world's most famous teams in Manchester United, and will need to prove to the world and his country why he is on such a prestigious club team.


























 







Rafa Marquez-Defender for the Mexican team for over a decade, he has been a constant in the Mexican National team.  He's far from the player he was when he played with Barcelona in the mid 2000s, but he still possesses the composure and leadership that this team needs.  Rafa is still a steady defender, who plays for Club Leon, and will be the team's captain.

Guillermo Ochoa-Ochoa is the team's goaltender, who will be massive in keeping the defense organized and composed.  He is a high quality keeper who plays club for Ajaccio in the French Ligue 1.  He's been on the team for just under a decade, and I expect him to be dependable and vital in keeping balls out of the Mexican net if they are to advance.



Mexico has all of the quality to finish second about Cameroon and Croatia, but I don't see it happening because of the disaster of a qualifying campaign they had.  There's a lot of volatility in the dressing room and in the media, and I just don't see their qualifying campaign going well.  They remind me a bit of France from the last World Cup.  I see them finishing 4th in the group.