Sizzling sendoff
El Tri gets scrutinized for its raunchy World Cup farewell
Mexico isn’t used to partying after World Cups.
So, they reportedly partied before departing for Russia — with escorts.
Several members of the Mexican national team were rebuked last week after multiple reports stated members of the team threw an epic bender with dozens of women.
The party reportedly took place following Mexico’s 1-0 win over Scotland in Mexico City, the night before El Tri were scheduled to depart for Europe.
Some Mexican supporters voiced their displeasure, claiming some of El Tri’s biggest stars have lost focus ahead of another major tournament.
The Mexican Football Federation responded before the weekend, saying the players were given the night off to do as they pleased —the implication being the players can do what they want on personal time.
If El Tri performs up to expectations this month none of it will matter.
That said, the Mexicans have fallen short of reaching the quarterfinals at each of the previous six World Cups, despite advancing beyond the group stage at every tournament since 1994 – which is no easy feat.
And they were a questionable PK decision in favour of the Netherlands in 2014 from potentially reaching the quarterfinals in Brazil.
Seven players remain from Mexico’s 2012 Olympic gold medal squad, a golden generation of talent who were supposed to deliver far more than they have.
Hector Herrera, Marco Fabian, Oribe Peralta, Giovani dos Santos, Javier Aquino and Raul Jimenez have been featuring alongside each other in Mexico’s attack for close to a decade.
They’ve reached Confederation Cup semifinals and played in the knockout phase of the Copa America. They’ve dominated CONCACAF for a decade and won everything there is to win within the region.
The question for Mexico in 2018 is whether a bounce will go their way.
Can they find that extra bit of quality to survive an early test against Germany?
If it can’t, the problem for Mexico becomes a likely second round meeting with Brazil.
But Mexico is one of the few teams in the world capable of knocking off a World Cup contender on any given day.
They’re the truest dark horse among a litter of supposed “dark horses” that actually have little chance of reaching the quarterfinals.
Peru and Iceland have been mentioned as sexy Cinderella picks in this tournament.
Neither will advance from their respective groups.
I’ll take Mexico and the confidence it plays with on any given day against most teams.
El Tri is fearless in the way they go about pouring numbers forward.
Don’t be surprised if they are just as eager to party posttournament as they were before Russia 2018.