Two teams have found constant success in international competitions at all age groups, nope not Argentina, not Brazil, not Spain: Uruguay and Mexico.
With a bronze and gold respectively in the Pan-Am Games, the teams continue to be two of the fastest up-and-coming teams in international football.
Here are the spots where the teams have finished in the Top 4 in the past year and a half.
Uruguay: 4th place World Cup, Runners-Up in U-20 World Cup, Copa America champions, Bronze medal in Pan-Am Games.
Mexico: Gold Cup champions, U-17 World cup Champions, U-20 World Cup third place, gold medal in Pan-Am Games.
Are these teams truly looking to become big players in international soccer, or is it just a fluke?
It’s easier to take Uruguay more seriously; they’ve done it against greater competition, and now for a more consistent length of time. Also, Mexico in at least two (with the Gold Cup being an easy third) competitions have benefited from home field advantage.
Ultimately, Uruguay is clearly the team with the most promise, although to counter they are also relying on an older generation. On the other hand Mexico can feel confident, but should not expect to be a Top 10 powerhouse just yet. It won’t be able to do that until the officials are committed to working with the clearly extensive talent pool in Mexico.
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