Mexico’s men’s national team suffered a humiliating defeat to the United States in a CONCACAF Nations League match on Thursday. The loss was a significant low point for El Tri and a reminder that they have continued to lose ground to their rivals. From the ineffective tactics of manager Diego Cocca to his overwhelmed players, and even up in the stands of Allegiant Stadium where fans took part in anti-gay chants, the match was an embarrassing mess for Mexico’s team.
The Manager’s Approach
Cocca’s tactical approach was timid, and he was more concerned about not losing to the USMNT than creating attacking pressure. He took risks by not taking any, regularly letting the opposition dictate the pace of the game. His unwillingness to ditch his three-man backline also foreshadowed his eventual failure. With just one U.S. striker to defend, Cocca insisted on having an extra central defender, leaving plenty of space for the U.S. to easily sprint into dangerous areas in transition.
Players’ Performance
Mexico’s players did not perform well either. They were often a step or two behind the movement of the USMNT, disorganized as they clumsily tried to halt oncoming players. Down 1-0 by halftime, Cocca had a chance to alter his tactics at the break but stuck to what didn’t work in the first half, unsurprisingly allowing another goal just one minute after halftime by Pulisic again.
The Future of Mexican Soccer
Mexico’s senior men’s team has not won a title in both editions of the Nations League and has been winless in the last six games against the USMNT. On the youth side, the men’s U20 squad did not qualify for the 2023 U20 World Cup and the 2024 Olympics, while the women’s senior national team will miss the upcoming 2023 Women’s World Cup and the 2024 Olympics. The Mexican Football Federation (FMF) has gone through a number of staffing adjustments over the last 11 months. However, those in charge of Mexican soccer have done a poor job in recent years of guiding everything from youth national teams to both the men’s and women’s senior sides.
Liga MX must also be mentioned, especially with the lack of transfers abroad. While MLS has made a recognizable effort to send players to Europe that have boosted the depth and strength of the USMNT, Liga MX tends to look more insular, which keeps countless Mexican players from moving abroad. This alone isn’t the only factor for moves to Europe, but it’s a powerful one nonetheless when Liga MX clubs are willing to spend more on domestic players.
Regarding Mexico’s on-pitch performance, will anything actually change going forward? More than likely, the team will bounce back soon. And with the USMNT utilizing a more MLS-heavy roster at next month’s Gold Cup, Mexico will have no excuses for not lifting that title.
The future of Mexican soccer is uncertain, but the team can begin their redemption arc and form a base to build off of before the 2026 World Cup. It’s hopeful thinking at this point, and before Mexico can even begin to prepare for the Gold Cup, they’ll still have to take part in a consolation prize through Sunday’s third place Nations League match against Panama. If Mexico loses that game, Thursday’s embarrassing mess would be just a small collection of debris in comparison.
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