Mexico have not had much influence over the years in world football, due to their lack of attainments at the FIFA World Cup. Owing to their incapability to impress on the world’s biggest soccer stage, the reason behind the respect and praises they still profit from is mainly based on their supremacy at continental level.
Mexico is regarded as one of the two giant sides of North America in terms of reputation from a football point of view. Indeed, they are the most successful side in the Gold Cup’s history, and this goes without saying that their recent triumph did nothing but expand their gap at the top with USA in the ranking of greatness.
El Tri will be looking to take hold of another title this summer; but this time, through their young boys. They kick-off their campaign in the Copa America in Group C along with Uruguay, Chile and Peru.
A Recap Of Mexico’s Copa America History And Record
Mexico first entered the competition back in 1993, when they finished as runners-up. A defeat and 2 draws in their group was still enough for them to escape into the quarterfinals; a stage in which they showed great resilience by beating Peru 4-2. They cruised past Ecuador in the semis, but Argentina proved too strong for them in the final, where El Tri lost 2-1.
Again in 1995, the Mexicans had to rely on the Best-Third system to jump into the quarterfinals, after ending their group episode behind Uruguay and Paraguay. They failed to pass their second round test with a narrow loss to USA, but their subsequent 2 participations appeared to be much better, as they clinched bronze medals in 1997 and 1999.
In 2001, Mexico stood firm against Brazil and Paraguay to try their luck once again in the knockout phase, and things seemed in perfect shape when El Tricolor imposed themselves over Chile in the Last 8, and over Uruguay in the Last 4. They were unfortunately unable to go through a happy ending, as they went down 1-0 against hosts Colombia in the final.
That edition also happened to mark one of Mexico’s most successful runs in their Copa America history; their contributions in 2004 and 2007 ended in Last 8 exit and third-place honours respectively. Below is their full record in the tournament:
Runners-Up: 1993, 2001
Third-Place: 1997, 1999, 2007
Quarterfinals: 1995, 2004
Mexico’s 2011 Copa America Coach And Squad
The Coach:
Jose Manuel de la Torre’s assistant, Luis Fernando Tena, is the man who will be in charge of the young Mexican team in Argentina. The 53-year-old, who began his coaching career in 1994, is not a renowned figure in world football; but he could earn some attention through surprises in the Copa America.
Mexico’s 2011 Copa America 23-man squad roster:
Goalkeepers: Luis Ernesto Michel, Carlos Felipe Rodriguez, Liborio Sanchez
Defenders: Kristian Alvarez, Oswaldo Alanis, Darvin Chavez, Nestor Araujo, Miguel Angel Ponce, Hector Reynoso, Hiram Mier, Paul Aguilar, Diego Reyes
Midfielder: Diego De Buen, Antonio Gallardo, Emilio Orrantia, Javier Aquino, Jorge Enriquez, Edgar Pacheco
Forwards: Ulises Davila, Rafael Marquez Lugo, Giovani dos Santos, Orbe Peralta, Alan Pulido.
