Uruguay vs Mexico: Which dream team is for real?

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.

The Anonymity of Success: The USA’s delegation to the Pan-Am Games

AP recently put out a story detailing the seeming phenomena of Mexican athletes winning medals in the Pan-Am games immediately becoming national stars. Seemingly, this is because the games are being hosted in Mexico, and that is definitely a huge part of it, but it’s not the only one.

As a Mexican, I’ve grown up accustomed to following the strangest sports in which Mexicans have the rare opportunity of winning, dominating. There’s a reason the LPGA was huge in Mexico during the time of Lorena Ochoa’s reign as the top women’s golfer in the world. There’s a reason we got up in the morning to watch the 20-km walk, a reason we know the difficulty level of a 3.5. Backwards dive (3.8).

The US on the other hand has three of the top five professional sports leagues in the world (MLB, NFL, NBA, La Liga, Premiere League as final two), dominates/is highly competitive in practically every team sport except rugby and cricket.

They don’t need to find heroes; rather they try and weed through them, to see which one is really worth ‘hero’ status. There are gymnasts, American gymnasts that have not lost competitions in 5 years and the US couldn’t care less.

I can name at least ten Mexican medalists out of the 33 they had in the Pan-Am games when I started writing this. I can name two Americans off the top of my head Shawn Johnson (because I remembered her from 2008) and Elisabeth Best (because my boss made a quip about her being the ‘Best’).

Point is, with approximately two days left in competition (and despite almost being entirely absent from medal races in track) the US has twice as many gold medals as the next opponent (81-40) and twice as many medals (201, 102), yet aside from followers of niche sports like handball and water polo. Who cares?

“Yes, we won. We should win against those damned third world countries also taking up space in the Americas.”

It’s not about the US necessarily thinking it is better, or having it validated on the medal count, its actual pragmatism. For writers not dedicating themselves to the Pan-Am Games, and even those that are, do you have the time to profile all 202 winners?

Half of those? One tenth of those? Instead there’s bland score recaps, listing of winners. And no one in their right mind will be enthralled by that.

Does the national media focused on the World Series, football, and an NBA lockout care that the US now holds practically every title in shooting?

The US sent a mix of future stars and has beens to the games and dominated against some of the best athletes in the Americas. But the expectation of success, and the subsequent apathy towards it, seems to have erased the narrative from the national minds.

Who’s Jorge? Being a (co) Sports Editor at the University of Miami

Towards the end of our tenure as Sports Editors for the Ibis Yearbook at the University of Miami, my co-editor and I were asked to write a letter to the next editor of the section giving our advice, thoughts, reactions, comments, warnings, etc. Being the stellar editors that we were, we both utterly forgot about it (at least, I’m assuming he did too and if he didn’t I’m furious that he did not show me what he wrote).

Per the request of said editor, I have decided to write the letter as a blog, for future and past school editors to enjoy.

Dear Jorge,

I learned more in the year I spent as (co) Sports Editor of the Ibis Yearbook than I did in any other year during my time at the University of Miami. It’s a great hands-on experience. Just the same, it was not a breeze which is probably why it was that useful.

I think more than any other section the sports section allowed us to have a real life experience. We had to deal with red tape, breaking news, and at times a lot of creative freedom.

The most important thing you’ll need is patience and persistence. It sounds cheesy, but its true and I’m not entirely sure we had enough of it. The University of Miami is a very big, important business and as a student publication you are its last thought, especially for the athletic department.

This is not an attack. It’s understandable. We are at the bottom of a hierarchy that includes ESPN, CBS, NBC, The Miami Herald, Sun Sentinnel, etc. We are also, understandably not the most adept at knowing how to request, follow up, etc on our requests.

In my experience, the best approach is to be persistent and early with your requests. Don’t just rely on email. Call, go to the sports media office, cultivate a relationship with the SID’s.

This is not to say you will not get people that seem out to make life difficult beyond just blowing you off/not making you a priority. One SID in particular, who shall remain unnamed, did the following:

 

*Repeatedly complained, refused to provide information without being allowed to review the article in question. Or complained after the fact that the article was wrong/flawed because we specifically did not run it by him first and let him review it.

*Called my co-editor Jorge. Despite our names showing up in the bottom of all our emails, including the one he was replying to in that specific email. Minor issue really, but in the context of the email absurdly and unnecessarily rude.

*Refused, Ignored, Rejected our requests without reason, at times not acknowledging multiple requests.

Just the same, there were also SID’s that went out of their way to help. Keep those close and be thankful to them. Make it clear that you are there to help them as they help you as well.

Now, regarding the people you are working with. Things go wrong, there’s a lack of organization at times which may be common to publications relying on full time students. The publication cannot, and should not, be the priority of students.

There’s people working there that perhaps do not belong, are disrespectful, etc. This is going to happen in every job you have and honestly dealing with in on a school paper where the repercussions (losing your temper, quitting, biting your tongue) are less dire it is also a great experience. I would propose biting your tongue if you do care about the publication and speak with your actions, also if necessary and possible, go above/around their heads to get what you think is best for your section.

This is not to say this was a bad experience. I loved it and learned a lot and I am extremely thankful for getting the opportunity. I am also extremely thankful for the wonderful plaque I received at the end of the year from the staff, which I will place front and center in my office if I’m ever successful enough to have one.

Sincerely,

Ibis (co) Sports Editor

UM v FSU

UM 84—68 FSU

The orange pieces paced quickly to their seats,

Some entered with hope, some other with bribes,

The first whistle blows; the ball the first rim hits

The minutes pass, slow score—no vibes.

The teams throw punches, tit for tat;

The numbers rise, the other counters

Defensive fury as the offense falls flat,

A slow new rhythm as the half flounders.

Canes start second as the Seminoles rise

To a second half lead; then the defense again

Gains the power; FSU can’t play nice

And foul troubles compile as the canes take the gain

An 18-0 run as the arena explodes to a twenty point lead,

To protect their home undefeated: opponents take heed.

World Cup Team Profiles: South Africa

South Africa, the first African host of the World Cup, qualified automatically as the host nation. They will open up tournament play against Mexico on June 11th at Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg. They are ranked 81st in the world, the lowest ranked team in the tournament.

South Africa was banned form the World Cup due to their apartheid policies from 1961 to 1963 due to their discriminatory policies that conflicted with FIFA standards. They were officially expelled from FIFA in 1976 after the Soweto Uprising. It was not until 1991 when Apartheid began to be lifted that South Africa again played an international match.

It is their third appearance in the World Cup. They participated in France ‘98 and Korea/Japan 2002. South Africa has never progressed from the group stage at a World Cup. If South Africa does not make it through the group stage in 2010, they will become the first host nation not to make it past the group stage.

Rainbow Nation’s star striker is Stephen Piennar who plays for Everton in the English Premier League. He takes the spot of Star Striker Benni McCarthy who has not been called by manager Carlos Alberto Parreira.

El Peso del Dinero

Si en algun momento se podia preguntar de verdad, cuanto pesa la camisa, ese dia ya esta muerto. Si la notiica del  no es como las Chivas, y especificamente Vergara deshonraron la historia de Ramon Morales en Chivas, la noticia es que no es nada nuevo. La noticia es que no hay controversia porque al fin del dia esto es un negocio y cualquier corporacion del tamano y (poder) de Chivas se deshaceria de un empleado igual que lo que se ha hecho con Ramonsito.

El peso de la camisa se mide en lo que cuesta, y que ironia que la camisa valga mas una ves roto el contrato.

Si Vergara no es un desgraciado por correr a un hombre como Ramonsito, entonces tampoco Ramon Morales es un desagradecido por no irse a Chivas USA. Ramon no tiene porque dejar su pais y con lo que le ha dado al futbol mexicano merece irse al equipo que quiera EN MEXICO.

En los dias de prestamos (Beckham en Milan, Suazo a Zaragosa, Donovan en Everton) el futbolista ya no carga la camisa con el mismo orgullo: la renta para el que aporte mas dinero y poder.

Jugadores como Lampart y Gerard son cosas del pasado, aunque parece ser que los jugadores ingleses e italianos (fuera de Bekcham) son de los pocos jugadores que todavia respetan el peso de la camisa---si solo brindaran ese orgullo en el nivel internacional. Quien ve a Rooney saliendo de Manchester? Tampoco parece que se valla de Real Madrid Raul en ningun momento iminente: pero es un caso especial, siendo sin duda el corazon del equipo.

La diferencia clara es que estos jugadores, aunque no lo acepten los respectivos tecnicos, controlan sus equipos. Lampart, Gerard, y Rooney tinen el poder que quieran en el plantel y el talento para mantener ese control. Si cualquiera de ellos bajara su nivel no seria la misma propocision.

Hay que aceptarlo, Ramon bajo su nivel. Ya no era titular y se dejo deslumbrar por los jovenes en los que chivas depende cada ves mas. Tiene la mala suerte de jugar para un dueno que ha hecho claro que cualquier jugador y director tecnico es desechable—menos que el equipo, menos que la compania.

El resto de los jugadores de Chivas tienen que darse quenta de la compania en la cual toman parte—los jovenes que crecieron idolizando al equipo quieren que entender que esto es mas que un sueno—es un negocio.

Por cada Gerard y Roonie hay miles de jugadores que desaparecen, que dan su vida a un equipo para perderlo todo al proximo dia. Ninguna liga esta mas preparada para hacer sus jugadores menos que la liga mexicana.

Con suerte algo bueno puede salir de esto. Con suerte, al ver lo poco que valen en mexico mas jugadores saldran mas de mexico a jugador en el extranjero—aprendiendo que si van a ser desechables, mejor ser desechables en una liga que vale algo no en una liga corrupta que existe solo para hacer mas ricos a los duenos al sacrificio no solo de los jugadores si no de los equipos chicos.

Una Victoria Cegadora

 

No por fulminante. No por el futbol extraordinario que mostro, si no por lo que le ha hecho a una nación. En lo que millones de mexicanos despiertan todavía sintiendo el tequila del festejo de anoche tendrán que aceptar la terrible verdad: nada ha cambiado.

Seguimos en cuarto lugar. Seguimos sin ganar fuera. Seguimos vivos por una razón, y solo una. No las maravillas de nuestro técnico ni las hazañas de nuestros jugadores, si no la imponente posición del Coloso de Santa Úrsula.

Sin duda, México domino el juego. México jugó mejor, sin contar los primeros diez minutos del partido. Pero al fin, la única razón que gano México fue por un golazo de Israel Castro y suerte en el gol de Sabah. Un gol que nunca hubiera sucedido sin un error de la marca estadounidense que dejo a Sabah solo en el área de frente al arco.

Estados Unidos ya no podía correr entrando al segundo tiempo. En parte su culpa por haber llegado apenas un día antes del partido, sin darse tiempo para acostumbrarse al cambio de altura y clima. Pero con un Estados Unidos completo, no entorpecido por el Azteca y un horario manipulado por la Federación Mexicana de Futbol sin haber dado una razón lógica, esdificil creer que el resultado hubiera sido el mismo.

Ningún jugador, aparte de Efraín Juárez y Cuauhtémoc Blanco, tuvo una presentación deslumbrante el miércoles. Todos hicieron lo necesario, nada más. Eso no se puede aceptar en un juego que para la selección era de vida o muerte.

Ahora, para el técnico. Que estaba haciendo Aguirre con sus cambios?

Primero saca a Blanco, uno de los mejores jugadores en el campo cuando le quedaban fácilmente otros diez minutos de efectividad para meter a Vela que en su tiempo en el campo hizo lo mínimo posible. Con su velocidad no tuvo el valor para atacar a una defensa que ya estaba llena de amarillas. Aunque no hubiera pasado fácilmente pudo haber causado una segunda amarilla, especialmente con un árbitro que en todo el juego siempre marco a favor de México.

El segundo cambio fue un fracaso. Saco a Andres Guardado por Nery Castillo. De nuevo, Aguirre no saco a Franco que en todo el juego solo sirvió para estorbar y patear a los oponentes. La salida de Guardado está bien, no metió centros y ya venía tocado de la rodilla. Pero Nery?! De nuevo demostró que no tiene la madurez para estar en la selección. De nuevo no aporto nada de futbol, solo aporta su actitud negativa.

Debió haber recibido una tarjeta por agarrar a Davies, y debió haber recibido la segunda por altercar al portero Howard. Por suerte no dejo a México con 10, cuando todavía seguían empatados así arriesgando que perdiera su selección.

El único cambio bueno que hizo Aguirre fue meter a Sabah por Franco, el cambio que debió haber hecho veinte minutos antes. Cinco minutos después de entrar, Sabah ya había anotado el gol de la victoria.

Si el gol fue por suerte, fue buen rebote. Pero también Sabah estuvo en el lugar correcto y supo definir perfectamente. En 76 minutos de juego Franco no había hecho nada.

Franco y Nery representan el problema principal de México. No es el futbol, el futbol está ahí y con un poco de paciencia y de estabilidad ( por dios Aguirre ya no cambies la alineación!) mejorara a un nivel mejor, no competitivo para ganar un mundial pero seguro para calificar.

El problema es la lealtad que les damos a estos jugadores que no aportan nada. Franco no ha hecho nada; Sabah desde la copa de Oro ha sido el goleador que buscábamos. No es la solución permanente, pero funciona.

Nery lleva dos años sin aportar nada. Sigue metiéndose con los periodistas. Sigue metiéndose con los oponentes y sigue metiéndose con los árbitros. Junto a él, Cuauhtémoc blanco parece un ángel caído del cielo porque por más que la gente quiera criticar su actitud, Cuauhtémoc siempre lo mete todo al campo, y siempre cambia le personalidad del equipo cuando está en el campo.

Si Aguirre quiere tener jugadores naturalizados, que meta a Sinha, no ha niñitos con problemas de actitud o jugadores que ni siquiera pueden encontrar un club.