Mexico is Playing for More Than Just the #1 Spot

Mexico is playing a very important game. For those of you that remember 2010, when Mexico lost to Argentina in the World Cup in South Africa, you’ll recognize the similarity of the situation that they find themselves for todays match against Venezuela. Which is, obtaining the number 1 spot in the group for the Copa America.

And really its not only about getting the #1 tag, and avoiding Argentina. (even though its a big incentive) It’s to show us that they have a different attitude towards being the best. Its one thing or easy for a team or federation to say that we only seek victory and nothing else. But to show us the process and the learning that has taken placed based on the history is another.

See the thing is, Mexico can paint the picture of 2010 in South Africa where they had an opportunity to win the group and not face Argentina, however they decided to not play well in their final game of the group stage. The lost to an aged Uruguay and ended up meeting Argentina in the round of 16 which they lost 2–1.

Fast forwarded to today we can paint the following picture as well: lose to Venezuela and then going up against an Argentina that is backed by the best player in the World.(Messi) If win, its great we over come a defeat to Venezuela but if we lose, we have a reason, Argentina was a better team with the best player in the World. (forget that we blew the chance to move up in the knockout stage without Argentina being the first team we meet) So as you can see, in this case the real reason is that we didn’t execute when we needed too.

In a tournament, its all about putting yourself in a position to succeed. And when it comes to the move on or get knocked out match, you play and leave your heart out on the field. The match against Venezuela is more important than the match that we face in the quarter finals, because it will dictate our moral, goals and what changes Mexico has implemented to be on the world stage as a power house of soccer. We have talent and we need to show the world that we are capable of winning. (without luck) And that our success is not based on who we play against but because of rigor0us and proper planning that we do in order to succeed.