Vasco’s roster for the March friendlies should essentially be his World Cup roster. The friendly versus Iceland was the last chance for these players on the bubble to make their case. Did anyone take advantage?
Improved their stock
- Richy Ledezma: He has been a revelation for Chivas and for Mexico this year. Competition at Right Back has been light this cycle but Ledezma might lay claim to it for the 2030 cycle as well.
- Armando Gonzalez: Hormiga has his hands on one of the back up striker positions. At this point, he might be the backup to Raul Jimenez with Gimenez being hurt and German Berterame moving to MLS.
- Brian Gutierrez: He played very well. Finally getting a chance to play centrally as opposed to out wide. At least to start. Making your national team debut in a World Cup year always means you are starting on the back foot. He does have a future with El Tri regardless of this summer. His ability to play on the wing will be a plus when it comes to roster cuts. Vasco pushed him out wide after all the subs and he went on to score his first goal in Mexico.
Start thinking about 2030
- Carlos Acevedo: Never got a chance this cycle. Likely 4th on the goalkeeper depth chart.
- Charly Rodriguez: The fact he didn’t start signals to me he is not going to the World Cup.
- Everardo Lopez: Had a shaky first 15 minutes with a couple slip ups that lead to good Iceland attacking chances. Disappointing after his last game for Mexico but he has a good chance at making the roster unless Vasco decides having a left footed Center Back isn’t a priority.
NOTES
- Erik Lira is a DOG. I think Edson Alvarez is going to have to fight real hard to start in his preferred position. He might be pushed to centerback.
- The crowd was great tonight. Is it easier to be into the game when your team scores 2 first half goals? Yes but even pre-game, the crowd was 100% behind El Tri. Vasco Aguirre made note of it in his post-game press conference.
- Mexico with multiple choregraphed set piece plays? Can’t remember the last time I saw that.
- I hope Vasco has realized that he has 0 effective wingers and an abundance of midfielders. The 433 is dead and has not worked for Mexico. It just does not have the personnel to run it well right now. In March, we need to see the first team try some variation of a 3 man backline.
