Gottingen, Germany – Mexico coach Ricardo La Volpe kicked it with his players Sunday. The 54-year-old former Argentine World Cup player briefly took his pudgy frame into a light-hearted scrimmage that produced four goals, more laughs and a lot of positive talk from the players.
In a small third-division stadium in this town of 120,000 in the middle of Germany, Mexico held its one FIFA-mandated public training session and a good time was had by all. More than 1,000 fans showed up, many wearing sombreros or Mexican wrestling masks, and they roared during Mexico’s warm-up laps. Players signed autographs. They joked. They posed for pictures.
And that pretty much sums up the good times of Mexico’s pre-World Cup training camp.
It could be summarized by La Volpe leaving the field after practice, bolting silently through the cadre of media and fans to the bus, nary a shouted question or cheer along the way. La Volpe had no intention of sticking around to discuss some of the controversies that have dogged Mexico since he announced the team in April:
His roster stunned many as he left off Cuauhtemoc Blanco, considered Mexico’s most creative player, added naturalized citizens in Argentine-born Guillermo Franco and Brazilian Antonio Naelson and included Rafael Garcia, his son-in-law.
Told forward Francisco Fonseca and his team, to, basically, shut up and play after Fonseca popped off to the media after not starting in a friendly against France.
Continued his ongoing war with the Mexican media, going so far as to say last week, “You know nothing about football. Nothing!” He went on to make a vile request to stop criticizing him before the World Cup.
This isn’t a good backdrop for a soccer-crazed nation that never has seen its team advance past the World Cup quarterfinals. However, there is enough good news to prevent all Mexican fans from wearing masks all month. The team is playing well, it’s healthy and is in easy Group D, opening against Iran at 10 a.m. MDT on Sunday in Nuremberg.
“Everything we have gone through, everything we’ve worked hard for, we hope pays off,” defender Carlos Salcido said. “We’re relaxed, we’re prepared for the games, but nerves are just part of the whole thing.”
And who knows? Maybe by month’s end La Volpe will have been right all along. After all, in the history of Mexican soccer, no national coach has lasted as long as the former Argentine backup goalie. This is his fourth year, which may give you an idea of why Mexico never has advanced past the quarterfinals.
He has shown who’s boss, starting with Blanco. The 33-year-old striker for Mexico City’s Club Americafirst angered La Volpe on the eve of last year’s Confederations Cup in Germany when Blanco said he needed a rest. La Volpe obliged by only picking him one more time for international matches. When Blanco lashed out saying La Volpe didn’t have the courage to pick him, then slowed because of injuries and his form dropped, La Volpe cut him loose.
It did not go over well. About 80 fans protested outside the Mexican Football Federation headquarters. Enrique Borja, a Mexican legend who played in the 1966 and 1970 World Cups and is now an analyst for Mexicana TV, wondered himself.
“He is a very good player,” Borja said. “If I was a coach I would like to turn to the bench and like to have him. He has played with injury. But if he plays well, he is one of the most important players in Mexico.”
Fortunately for Mexico, the roster controversy has gathered dust. Mexico still has striking ability in forward Jared Borgetti, defender Rafael Marquez just helped Barcelona to the Champions League title and Oswaldo Sanchez has become one of the best goalies in the world.
La Volpe has stood up in the face of criticism from Mexican club coaches with Hugo Sanchez of Mexico City’s UNAM Pumas undercutting him with, “Let the owners of the clubs have no doubt that Hugo Sanchez should be the coach of the national team.”
However, La Volpe didn’t let Fonseca’s quip to the media get away. Before Mexico played Holland on Thursday in Eindhoven, Netherlands, he told the team that personnel would be his decision and his decision only.
Then Mexico took a 1-0 lead, and the Dutch left the field at halftime to boos. Holland eventually won 2-1 when La Volpe substituted heavily but his steady – if, at times, heavy – hand may be what’s needed. Four years ago, Mexico went through three coaches and it lost to the United States, 2-0, in the round of 16.
“Playing the World Cup qualifiers, staying with the same coach and playing the same formation, in the same system, is going to help,” said Martin Vasquez, the Chivas USA assistant coach and former Mexican national team player. “I think there’s more stability when it comes to knowing everybody’s role and what they need to do.”
This team should advance in a group that includes Portugal but also Cup-newcomer Angola.
Staff writer John Henderson can be reached at 303-820-1299 or jhenderson@denverpost.com.
