A stadium where visitors’ dreams die
Mexico has lost just twice at home in 78 World Cup qualifying matches since 1966
MEXICO CITY — Canada won’t come to play soccer at Estadio Azteca. Nobody in CONCACAF does.
Les Rouges arrived here Sunday night ready to claw, to scrape by. Anything to survive.
For decades, matches here have been mere formalities. For visiting teams, the drive to the 100,000-seat venue is akin to a funeral procession. It’s where qualifying dreams get buried.
“We had a couple of days to reflect on what happened (in Vancouver),” Julian de Guzman said shortly after the team arrived here Sunday night.
“It’s just about getting ourselves together again and putting our minds back on track and to know what’s ahead of us. There’s no surprises.”
Mexico has lost just twice here in 78 all-time World Cup qualifying matches dating back to 1966 — an unfathomable home field advantage as far as professional sports are concerned.
Upon touching down in the Mexican capital Easter night the Canadians were honest with themselves. They know what they’re up against.
What the Azteca has become within this confederation isn’t a secret. Beyond El Tri, the locals here take pride in making things uncomfortable for visitors. They take results personally.
Seeing 54,000 fans at B.C. Place was a sensational. But they were Canadian, proper and polite. At no point was Friday night’s match — a 3-0 win for Mexico — difficult on the visitors.
Things are quite different down here. Projectiles rain down on opponents. The altitude (7,200 feet) can be difficult to contend with.
Parts of Mexico City were under a severe air pollution alert as recent as two weeks ago. Needless to say, the elements outside the game must be navigated.
Those aspects, however, are talking points for sensationalists. They’ve always existed. They always will. It’s time for the Canadians to get used to it.
Besides, the most difficult aspect of playing Mexico has little to do with the elements. It has to do with, well, playing Mexico, the No. 22 team in the world.
“We can’t let the environment impact us,” De Guzman reiterated. “We can’t find ourselves overwhelmed. We can’t lose focus of our plans. We have qualities that are effective in these games.”
The Canadians were taught a lesson last week: Mexico will exploit any mistake, any opening. Then, you have to hope they squander the numerous chances they create.
Mexico’s opening goal Friday night was the result of a breakdown in defensive responsibilities that saw a host of Canadian defenders fail to shift with any urgency.
Chicharito’s finish was exquisite, but the danger could have been extinguished long before then. Mexico’s second was a gift from a turnover. In a flash, the game was over.
“At some point (Friday night) we lost focus and lost our structure,” De Guzman said. “A team like Mexico, if you’re not organized and compact, you’ll be punished. That’s what happened.”
And for how good the Mexicans were on the road last week, they’re that much better in front of overwhelming support here in Mexico City.
Subsequently, Canada must employ a more pragmatic approach this week. Possession can’t be turned over cheaply in the defensive third.
Balls must be played forward to no end, to whatever outlet. There’s no shame in using the blueprint CONCACAF nations have previously found success with.
The United States escaped Azteca with a goalless draw during its previous qualifier here. The Americans were outshot 17-1 and conceded a mind-boggling 15 corner kicks on the night.
What the Yanks managed, though, was to contest most attempts on goal after abandoning any thought of scoring their own.
Even then, Mexico had good looks thwarted by American ’keeper Brad Guzan. Canada’s Milan Borjan must be even better between the pipes if Canada’s to keep things close.
Keep things close and Mexico’s weakness will emerge. The Mexicans are so good in the attack they sometimes push too many numbers forward in search of a goal. They leave themselves open.
That’s how Honduras finally won here in 2013. It’s how Jamaica almost did. They survived so long things began to open up for their lone attackers up front.
Of course, all of this is easier said than done — especially considering we haven’t seen a Mexican side with this many weapons in a long time, if ever.
For how daunting Tuesday night’s task appears, Canada hopes it will be back here next year during CONCACAF’s final stage of qualifying.
A loss here won’t end Canada’s bid to advance beyond this stage for the first time in 20 years. It could, however, mean a must-not-lose match in Honduras awaits.
We all remember how that went last time.