Rough diamonds are found in filthy dust and they don't shine.  They are rocks in their purest form that once they are dusted off, buffered, and shaped they shine for many lifetimes.  The Mexican National Team has come a long way in the last ten years.  They were just surfacing the dirt when along came an egocentric scavenger by the name of Hugo Sanchez. 

A one time all-world star that thought that because of his name he would propel "his" team from diamond in the rough to a shiny bright almost flawless priceless jewel.

Instead he took arguably the greatest generation of Mexican soccer players and dug them into a deep hole that is not going to be easy to dig out of.  "Hugol" talked-the-talked and walked-the-walk when he was a player but as a head coach he might as well have been the 25th man on a 24 man roster. 

Now after the dust has settled the once loud mouth Sanchez is hidden in oblivion and has to be wondering what went wrong on the way to the "promise land."  He left his compatriotas very pissed off and even looking at hanging him by his tounge so he would not be able to talk anymore.

FIFA Confederations Cup South Africa 2009: Did not qualify.

Beijing Summer Olympics: Did not qualify.

Well done Hugo.

Y Ahora Que? 

Mexicans are very proud of their soccer boys.  They follow them and root for them even in the toughest times.   Now is one of those times.

Chucho Ramirez did a decent job for being throw to the wolves by the Mexican league team owners.  He is the only coach in Mexican history to have won a World Cup at any level a few years back.  He was the genius strategist that assembled an amazing group of players like Giovanni Dos Santos and Carlos Vela.  He was the one that was asked to sacrifice his being to keep the wolves from coming against the powerful team owners.  And in the end he is the one who got the pink slip.

These owners have saved face because of "Chucho" and then like a Shakespearean tale turn their backs and as many in the Mexican media and players put it "stabbed him in the back."

While "Chucho" starts his labor they sneak out through the back door and hire former England head coach  Sven-Göran Eriksson.  They believe that because of his experience he will be able to take them to that promise land that Hugo only talked about.   Eriksson had 67 wins and 40 losses while at the helm of the English National Team according to Englands Official website.

"The Savior Eriksson" sounds good but sounding good and being a reality are two different things.  

Now he has the dirty rough diamond in his hands as well as the heart and souls of so many Mexicans.  Will he shine this crazy diamond or will he try to clean the dirt off with an old rag?  He better figure it out fast because he will not have any friendly games in preparation for World Cup Qualifying, his debut is against Honduras infront of the heart and soul of all those people at the Monumental Estadio Azteca.

El Salvador de Mexico...sounds like a good story.  Only time will tell if Eriksson is just that, The Savior.

Lionel Messi and Argentina showed why they were one of the favorites to win the Copa America. In the soaked pitch of the Mineiros stadium Argentina displayed why they deserved to be in final against Brazil. They opened up the score with an amazing set piece from Juan Riquelme to Gabriel Heinze who put the ball in the back of the net as three Mexican defenders and goalie Oswaldo Sanchez just looked at the ball roll in. In my opinion this was master mind set piece with a beautiful touch from Riquelme.

The Mexican squad (whom I predicted would edge out the Argentina squad) looked nervous and out of sink early in the game. They eventually settled down and missed the very few opportunities that they had on hand. The first key miss was Andres Guardado’s left-footed shot that went high. The Nery Castillo show, well it never showed up.

Once the second half came it was all Argentina. They kept good control of the ball and Hugo Sanchez’s substitutions and strategic moves were worthless. He gambled and well I think he got lucky that they didn’t get more goals scored on them.

The second half also showed the world one of the most cold blooded and amazing goals ever. Yes, Lionel Messi’s killer lob that made the Mexican goalie look like a first grader playing with the older kids. That in my opinion took any confidence the Mexican squad had and sunk it if not killed it. After that it was just a matter of time for the Argentinans to score more goals. 

I also want to comment on the penalty kick that Riquelme shot, very nice and to do that on such a big stage takes a lot of testicular fortitude

It was a night to forget for the Mexican squad but it was a sort of magic show for Argentina. In the end Messi’s Magic-stry was the dagger that killed “El Tri’s” hopes of reaching the finals. Now we wait for “Sunday’s Showdown” as two hated rivals meet to dispute this championship.

My Prediction:

Argentina just has too many weapons they win it in regulation.

Hugo Sanchez and “El Tri” will have their hands full tonight in the much anticipated game against Argentina. Like many other individuals I questioned the work of “Hugol” stemming from the soccer display, or lack there of, in the Copa Oro.

I was fortunate enough to witness the game against Costa Rica and I was somewhat pleased with what I saw. It was unfortunate that Costa Rica was crippled by their lack of discipline in that game. However, Mexico still had to score the winning goal even if it did come in an extra time.

Since that game I have seen much progress done with this national team. I think the biggest improvement was Sanchez’s attitude of,” if you don’t want to be on the team leave but if you do let’s get this thing done right.” Since the so called “Lavolpistas” left the squad we have been able to witness a new fountain of youth.

The new dynamic that some of these younger players have given this team is incredible. I have been watching games since I was a little kid and I have never been more excited about a Mexican national team as I am today.

The Argentina match tonight is a rematch that comes from the World Cup game that these two squads had in 2006. I watched that game and I just couldn’t believe my eyes when Maxi Rodriguez hit that volley from outside the 18. It was the goal of the world cup. Mexico dominated a rattled Argentina squad but as it always happens to Mexico they just couldn’t finish the kill.

Although both these squads may have different players than the ones they took to the World Cup it will be a very entertaining match that hopefully will be decided in the 90 minutes of regulation. I am all about finishing the game in the regulation time because when games go to penalty kicks it seems like the team that was dominating on the field always seems to get the short end of the stick.

If the Mexican squad can win this game they come up on a kind of greatness that the country and this team have never seen.

My prediction:

Mexico wins by the slightest margin of 2-1 with a second half goal from Nery Castillo. Then all I will wait for is what excuse the Mexican media will make for “El Tri’s” win.