World Cup audition: Defensive lapse dooms El Tri vs Paraguay

With 12 weeks until El Tri gathers for an accelerated training camp ahead of the World Cup, Mexico lost a meaningless friendly to Paraguay Thursday.

The result was never going to mean anything (except as fuel for the “¡Fuera Tata!” crowd); instead, the game served as a last-gasp audition for a handful of players and an opportunity to cement a spot on the World Cup roster for several others.

El Tri dominated the first half (71% possession, 86% passing accuracy, 12 shots, 5 on target) but were too often profligate in the final third.

The only goal came in minute 50 when Mexico’s back line was left wanting. Jesús Angulo was beaten in the air by former Tigres teammate Carlos González who then blasted a shot off the right post. Right back Kevin Álvarez was caught napping and his man Derlis González tapped home into the vacant net.

Quick observations about the El Tri loss

Midfielder Luis Chávez looked dynamic in the first half, getting into the attacking third regularly though he failed to finish. He is likely to secure a spot on the World Cup roster.

Charley Rodríguez looked smooth in midfield, distributing and moving around constructively, but produced no dangerous passes. He remains in the running for a starting spot in Qatar.

Roberto “Piojo” Alvarado played out of position as a center forward but he twice created golden chances and tracked back to help out.

The aforementioned Álvarez has been discussed as deserving of a spot with El Tri but he did not always look reliable. Besides the goal, the Pachuca man had four consecutive turnovers in the second half.

Uriel Antuna and Jesús Gallardo have long been viewed as having a seat on the El Tri bus, but neither did much to convince me that they should be in Qatar.

Antuna got free deep down the right flank a few times in the second half but his centering passes found nothing but Paraguayan feet. Gallardo clanged the crossbar on a nifty right-footed rocket but otherwise was unnoticeable … and TV pundits see the Monterrey left back as a starter (Gasp!).

César Montes looked rusty, getting circled a couple times in the first half though he managed to recover and prevent danger from developing. His passing was not as sharp as we’ve come to expect, but that’s no surprise as he’s played the equivalent of just four games this season. Still, “El Cachorro” should be a starter for El Tri in Qatar.

Goalie Carlos Acevedo got the full 90 minutes between the pipes (Luis Malagón was the back-up) and though he was not at fault on the goal, his one significant weakness – playing the ball with his feet – played a part. It was his popped-up clearance that was headed back into danger where Carlos González started the scoring play.

Luis Romo remains a shadow of the dominant player who bossed midfield to help El Tri earn the Olympic bronze medal last summer. His presence in Qatar is in doubt especially as his form with Monterrey has been uninspiring.

Coach Gerardo Martino will hear it from angry supporters until the FIFA break in late September when Mexico’s European contingent will be available. That training camp and the two friendlies (against Peru on Sept. 24, vs Colombia on the 27th) will go a long way in determining who will be representing El Tri in Qatar.