El Tri resurgence: Three things from 2-1 win over Iceland
El Tri kicked off its summer campaign in auspicious fashion, with two “Chucky” Lozano goals providing a comeback win over Iceland in Arlington, Texas.
The friendly was a final tune-up for Team Mexico ahead of the June 3 Concacaf Nations League semifinal against Costa Rica in Denver.
Hirving Lozano scored twice in a 5-minutes span after came off the bench in the second half with Mexico trailing 1-0. The defense held on after that, limiting the Nords to just two shots on goal.
“Tata” Martino is 22-1-2 with Mexico since taking over in January 2019. El Tri – now 2-1-0 on the year – has a busy calendar in the coming months, so “Tata” will hope the win over the “Vikings” will provide momentum heading into the showdown against Costa Rica.
Three Things from El Tri triumph over Iceland
1. Is ‘Chucky’ ready to take on the mantle?
Since losing ace striker Raúl Jiménez in November to a fractured skull, “Tata” has tinkered with his attacking line-up. It didn’t help that preferred back-ups (such as América’s Henry Martín) missed the March training camps with niggling injuries.
The void in front of goal was evident in Mexico’s 1-0 loss to Wales on March 27 with Hirving Lozano looking like the proverbial square peg. “Chucky” did come up with a last-minute winner for El Tri against Costa Rica three days later, however.
With Saturday’s brace, “El Muñeco Diabólico” has scored Mexico’s last three goals, earning two wins.
Finally fit, Martín started as the lone striker for El Tri and had a few moments of inspiration, but was not quite clinical enough. Mexico looked out wide to Uriel Antuna early on, but the speedy winger was sloppy.
Midway through the first half, midfielder Diego Lainez stepped up and took over playmaking duties. And when “Chucky” came on in minute 63, the two youngsters clicked.
Collecting a pass from Lainez in minute 73, the Napoli man finished off a break-out he initiated with a steal at the midfield stripe. Martín pounced and released Lainez on a 2-on-1 down the left channel with “Chucky” joining the fast break on the left. Just like that, all tied up.
Five minutes later, Martín worked a 1-2 with sub Héctor Herrera and the La Liga champion dazzled the crowd with a step-over turn inside the box, spinning quickly to the touch line and chipping a perfect cross over the goalie where “Chucky” headed home with gusto. El Tri up 2-1 with less than a quarter-hour to go.
Much like Raúl, Lozano also contributed on defense, pressuring clearances and chasing outlets, tracking back willingly and extending possessions.
“Tata” won’t expect Lozano to emulate Jiménez – the El Tri brain trust will prefer natural center forwards, and greater movement and interchange as the team flows forward – but he’ll gladly take the production.
2. Setting tempo helps sets up defense
El Tri opened cautiously, prioritizing possession and patience. Mexico had 80 percent possession through the first quarter hour, with central mid Edson Álvarez often the deepest man on the defense.
But the Iceland goal in minute 14 left El Tri red-faced. After breaking out of a three-man press on the right sideline, Birkir Saeversson fired a low cross that ricocheted off Edson Álvarez before bouncing into the net inside the far post. Alfredo Talavera had no chance.
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Left back Jesús Gallardo, Lainez and midfielder Charlie Rodríguez seemed to assume possession would be returned and were caught lolly-gagging. Iceland’s No. 2 took advantage.
Earlier, center back Carlos Salcedo’s lazy pass was intercepted and the Europeans raced goalward until an Álvarez grab was ignored by the ref (Iceland had a legit plea for a foul and a yellow on Edson).
There were few other self-inflicted wounds as El Tri stuck with the game plan, patiently probing the Iceland defense (74% possession on the night confirms that). It’s clear that Mexico’s regulars understand their coach’s tactics and are capable of executing it well (with a few minor exceptions).
Currently rated No. 11 in the FIFA World Rankings, the current El Tri roster is comfortable regulating the tempo. The careful pace encourages tactical discipline allowing for rapid adjustment to defensive duties, whether by double-team or a high press. This style permits Mexico’s aging defense to cover up its flaws, but requires careful passing.
If “Tata” finds the right pairing in back and trustworthy fullbacks, El Tri should be able to crank up the tempo a bit when needed without sacrificing defense.
3. Roster juggling is inevitable
Coach Martino was short three options off the bench as Luis Romo, Roberto Alvarado and Orbelín Pineda won’t join El Tri in the United States until after the Liga MX Final where the three Cementeros are hoping to end the franchise’s 23½-year title drought.
Since Cruz Azul finishes its trophy chase Sunday night, the trio is unlikely to be available for anything more than spot duty against Costa Rica in the June 3 Concacaf Nations League semifinal in Denver. If Mexico wins, they advance to the Final against either Honduras or Team USA also in Denver.
With two Concacaf tournaments (Nations League and the Copa Oro) this summer as well as the Olympics on the calendar, Mexico will have to divide its roster. That could produce some interesting tug-of-wars between “Tata” and Olympics coach Jaime Lozano.
“Jimmy” is currently preparing a 23-player roster for three friendlies in early June but will surely try to cherry pick a few players from Martino’s roster as the Tokyo Games near. Eight youngsters on Martino’s roster are age-eligible to play in the Olympics and each team is allowed to add three “senior” players to the squad.
Names such as goalie Guillermo Ochoa and captain Andrés Guardado might get consideration. This could pose a dilemma since the Gold Cup (July 10-Aug. 1) and the Olympics (July 22-Aug. 7) overlap.
It’s worth watching how much time youngsters such as Jorge Sánchez, Diego Lainez and Charlie Rodríguez get in the Nations League and the three friendlies in the run-up to the Gold Cup.
Next. Fun facts about Liga MX Final. dark
The main thing “Tata” and “Jimmy” will hope for is health and fitness since there is plenty of depth to field competitive teams in both tournaments.