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It doesn't exude confidence for the defense...
That's why he takes the shots... the pressure doesn't get to him... (only his old legs). Impeccable shot on yesterday's PK, despite the goalie guessing correctly...He helped turn the tide for Mexico's NT when Aguirre took over the reigns in the middle of World Cup qualification at a point when things looked rather bleak...
For those that undervalue what he brings to the table... Blanco set up the first goal against the US at Aztec stadium last August... and has always been dependable for penalty kicks (something that can't be said for our other forwards... even Gio has missed a PK for the NT)...
I think what we saw last Friday were effects from entering "cold" into the game (on a chilly afternoon no less...) Initially, he couldn't even control the ball and looked even slower than normal... after warming up, however, he did manage to draw two free-kicks, and gave Carlos Vela a 'crack' pass in the box that should have resulted in a score (one Carlos didn't handle too well)...
Given the weather prognostication he better bundle up if he plans on subbing in....
It doesn't exude confidence for the defense...
oh... and LOL @ MosesGuthrie... implying that soccer allegiances somehow outweigh nationalistic loyalty... it's only futbol. As passionately as I love the game, playing it, following it, defending it and cheering for it... it's still only a game...
That said,
I root for all CONCACAF teams... it strenghthens the perception of footballing class for this region...
True, but I prefer my goalkeeper to be insecure with his feet rather than his hands like Perez.
Some people see it as a question of loyalty. I have literally seen people in a sports bar watching a US-Mexico game wearing an American flag t-shirt cheering on Mexico. Some see it as being disloyal to their country of birth. I am not saying that is what they are doing, I am just saying some people I have talked to have that perception. I think that is a bit much. Its only a game.
I can only speak for myself but while I agree with rooting for your home country, I understand why some folks root for the Mexican NT. For years, they didn't have an alternative....the US didn't really have much of a program to follow and Mexico has been a player on the world stage for decades. Since making it back to the WC in 1990 and then hosting in 94, I think there has been a better program to follow and more kids will be able to grow up with a good US program.
I equate it to Spurs fans who dislike the Mavs but like the Cowboys. Its the team you root for, not the city.
The problem here is one that is common in a lot of sports fan bases and really in society. We tend to take things way too personally and if someone doesn't agree with us, we get bent out of shape. I root for all US teams regardless of sport whenever I watch sporting events and I don't agree with my countrymen when they do it but just because I don't like it, doesn't mean they can't do it, shouldn't do it or that I have the right to tell them not to. Its ok that we all don't agree everything or that we do things differently. Root for who you want and have fun.
One thing our friend Moses is forgetting is that one of the great things about living in the US is that you have the freedom to root for who you wish.
You would defend Oswaldo...
He gave Argentina three goals at the last Copa América... and conceded that goal against Argentina in the 2006 edition of the World Cup (Crespo's goal... Maxi's was pretty much unstoppable for any goalie)...
That said, I'm not trying to defend Oscar Perez... he still seems to be playing out of position on many plays... luckily for Mexico and their defense, the French couldn't really muster up any real scoring opportunities to test 'Conejo's' goalkeeping prowess...
P.S. As far as goalies go... I was a big fan of Adolfo Ríos...
Not much he could do here, imhoYou would defend Oswaldo...
He gave Argentina three goals at the last Copa América...
That said, I'm not trying to defend Oscar Perez... he still seems to be playing out of position on many plays... luckily for Mexico and their defense, the French couldn't really muster up any real scoring opportunities....
P.S. As far as goalies go... I was a big fan of Adolfo Ríos...
And the third one was a penalty.
Either way, I'm not defending Sanchez, I just don't like Perez. Ochoa should be your keeper.
I can't see youtubes (embedded or otherwise) from work... but if it's the play I recall where Messi lobs it over Oswaldo's head, Oswaldo had no reason to come out and concede that space; Messi was met by a defender with a second one close by... goalies are supposed to come out and shorten the shot angles only when the defense has been compromised... IMO Oswaldo overreacted and paid for it... magistral touch by Messi though...Not much he could do here, imho
Ochoa is Mexico's best keeper...
So if I was a chivas fan, then you must be an America fan...
Watch the vid DAF provided when youre not at work, Oswaldo is well within the small box area on the Messi goal...he moves to cover the right post like any other goalie would and Messi just made a great play like he has done so many times to so many goalies. The third goal was a penalty so how exactly is that a keeper goal. The First goal I'll concede, he ed up.
No goalie is perfect and his good with the NT outweighted the bad. Wasnt he like goalie of the compe ion in the Confederations Cup? He had a solid WC in 06'. Solid overall performance in that Copa America. Hand-picking a couple of mistakes and saying that he's been horrible because of them is like what recently happened with Ochoa. Its stupid.
Well for me personally its cause I have alot of Mexican ties. Mexican-born parents, grew up with Mexican-culture, still have family in Mexico, visit Mexico annually, etc. I was born here and reside here but I still feel like Im Mexican just as much if not more than I am American (a big contrast from alot of 'mexicans' here in SA). I dont root for Mexico because there was no alternative back in the day with a lack of a quality USA NT...that'd be pretty weak imo. I might be tempted to agree with Moses if I encountered a fan that did that, because I'll be honest I hate people here in SA that will root for the Lakers despite the fact that the Spurs are the only pro team we have.Some people see it as a question of loyalty. I have literally seen people in a sports bar watching a US-Mexico game wearing an American flag t-shirt cheering on Mexico. Some see it as being disloyal to their country of birth. I am not saying that is what they are doing, I am just saying some people I have talked to have that perception. I think that is a bit much. Its only a game.
I can only speak for myself but while I agree with rooting for your home country, I understand why some folks root for the Mexican NT. For years, they didn't have an alternative....the US didn't really have much of a program to follow and Mexico has been a player on the world stage for decades. Since making it back to the WC in 1990 and then hosting in 94, I think there has been a better program to follow and more kids will be able to grow up with a good US program.
I equate it to Spurs fans who dislike the Mavs but like the Cowboys. Its the team you root for, not the city.
The problem here is one that is common in a lot of sports fan bases and really in society. We tend to take things way too personally and if someone doesn't agree with us, we get bent out of shape. I root for all US teams regardless of sport whenever I watch sporting events and I don't agree with my countrymen when they do it but just because I don't like it, doesn't mean they can't do it, shouldn't do it or that I have the right to tell them not to. Its ok that we all don't agree everything or that we do things differently. Root for who you want and have fun.
One thing our friend Moses is forgetting is that one of the great things about living in the US is that you have the freedom to root for who you wish.
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