SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Mexico may have tied 0-0 against Chile on Saturday in Miguel Herrera’s team’s first tentative steps after Brazil 2014, but the match provided evidence that El Tri’s performance at the World Cup was no fluke and the future is bright for the Mexican national team.
Chile coach Jorge Sampaoli spoke afterwards of the high intensity of the game and how it resembled more competitive game than friendly. Despite it being scoreless, Herrera would’ve learned a lot and declared himself satisfied with the performance afterwards.
There was a healthy dose of respect between the two sides, which play similar technical game with the ball on the ground. Chile had more possession, but Mexico countered well and by midway through the second half had wrestled back control of the game.
There were plenty of positives for El Tri, mostly stemming from the midfield trio of Jose Juan “Gallito” Vazquez, captain Andres Guardado and Hector Herrera.
Vazquez again looked international quality in his reading of the game, while Herrera had a mixed evening, but is now a vital cog in this Mexico side.
Every time the Porto player got the ball, he seemed like he was going to make something happen and his chemistry with Mexico’s strike-force of Giovani dos Santos and Oribe Peralta is improving all the time.
More than anything, Herrera always wants to ball and offers an immediate outlet to a defense that doesn’t have the same ball playing skills with Rafa Marquez out.
In goal, too, Guillermo Ochoa was named man of the match after one good save in each half to consolidate his starting spot.
The main worry for Herrera would be in defense.
Center back Miguel Herrera was decent without standing out, while Oswaldo Alanis looked nervous on the left side of the back three, although he did grow into the game in the second half.
Against Bolivia on Tuesday, Hiram Mier will get his chance and, at present, the Monterrey player looks the best bet to take over from Marquez.
Up front, few strikers work as hard as Oribe Peralta and his all-round play was good, while Dos Santos also looked lively.
Unfortunately for Mexico, however, Dos Santos missed a chance when through on goal in the 64th minute and his replacement. Javier Orozco failed to convert two excellent opportunities.
Herrera said the goals would come and that he wasn’t overly concerned, although Mexico would benefit from Javier Hernandez getting minutes with Real Madrid and demonstrating that eagle eyed goal-scoring form of a couple of years ago.
Aside from the lack of finishing power, Saturday’s game reinforced the positives that came up in Brazil and highlighted that both Chile and Mexico play in the right way and are set to be growing forces in coming years.