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MEXICO 4, PERU 0
Pressure is on Mexico to join world's elite
By Luis Arroyave | Tribune reporter 10:35 PM CDT, June 8, 2008 Article tools
The Mexican national soccer team is used to pressure and lofty expectations. But rarely have they been as high as they are these days.
With the list of Mexicans playing in Europe growing and the young stars from the 2005 U-17 World Cup team now on the senior roster, many think this should be the squad that will finally make Mexico one of the world's elite teams.
But with the team winning only three of its last nine games, including 4-0 over Peru Sunday before 33,068 at Soldier Field, some are wondering why there haven't been more wins.
"Individually we're doing well," Mexican forward Jared Borgetti said. "We have players [in Europe]. Soccer-wise, we've advanced, but it's been a slow process.
"International results are what count. That's where you see how far you've advanced. We've played good tournaments, but we're lacking titles."
Goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, 22, says expectations have been too high for the young stars.
"It's about patience," he said. "Right now we have talent, but it's young talent. We need a little more experience."
Two of the team's young stars shone Sunday. Fernando Arce scored first in the sixth minute, and 21-year-old midfielder Andres Guardado followed after with a one-touch strike in the ninth.
Mexico went up 3-0 when 19-year-old forward Carlos Vela dribbled around Peru goalkeeper George Forsyth in the 21st minute and delivered the far-post score. Arce added his second in the 28th minute.
Sven-Goran Eriksson, recently appointed Mexico's new coach, watched from a suite. He is not expected to take over until after Mexico's World Cup qualifying series June 15 and 21 against Belize.
larroyave@tribune.com
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Pressure is on Mexico to join world's elite
By Luis Arroyave | Tribune reporter 10:35 PM CDT, June 8, 2008 Article tools
The Mexican national soccer team is used to pressure and lofty expectations. But rarely have they been as high as they are these days.
With the list of Mexicans playing in Europe growing and the young stars from the 2005 U-17 World Cup team now on the senior roster, many think this should be the squad that will finally make Mexico one of the world's elite teams.
But with the team winning only three of its last nine games, including 4-0 over Peru Sunday before 33,068 at Soldier Field, some are wondering why there haven't been more wins.
"Individually we're doing well," Mexican forward Jared Borgetti said. "We have players [in Europe]. Soccer-wise, we've advanced, but it's been a slow process.
"International results are what count. That's where you see how far you've advanced. We've played good tournaments, but we're lacking titles."
Goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, 22, says expectations have been too high for the young stars.
"It's about patience," he said. "Right now we have talent, but it's young talent. We need a little more experience."
Two of the team's young stars shone Sunday. Fernando Arce scored first in the sixth minute, and 21-year-old midfielder Andres Guardado followed after with a one-touch strike in the ninth.
Mexico went up 3-0 when 19-year-old forward Carlos Vela dribbled around Peru goalkeeper George Forsyth in the 21st minute and delivered the far-post score. Arce added his second in the 28th minute.
Sven-Goran Eriksson, recently appointed Mexico's new coach, watched from a suite. He is not expected to take over until after Mexico's World Cup qualifying series June 15 and 21 against Belize.
larroyave@tribune.com
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Copyright © 2008, Chicago Tribune
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