US vs. Mexico? It's all about momentum
El Kaiser speaks on the Clásico. PLUS: The weekend preview as the Liga MX regular season ends
The United States men’s national team currently holds a five-match unbeaten streak against Mexico.
That will be put to the test in June when the rivals meet in a Concacaf Nations League semifinal. For now, though, it’s fair to see the United States as the nation with the upper hand. Recent history favors the Stars and Stripes. The pendulum has swung.
But why? Until last year, Liga MX teams had continued to dominate the Concacaf Champions League. Mexico still is putting a fair amount of players at top European teams.
Under all that, though, there is an element of momentum, a steady flow of young American players leaving academies not as finished products but as players with good bases they can build on when they arrive in the European leagues that still have the best coaching and training in the world.
Rafa Marquez would know.
In addition to being one of the greatest Mexican players ever, winning the UEFA Champions League among other trophies in Europe and representing El Tri for more than two decades, Marquez has dedicated plenty of time to thinking about development.
After retiring as a player, he worked as Atlas’ sporting director before beginning his coaching career in Spain. He currently is managing Barcelona Atlètic, the B team of FC Barcelona.
“I think we’ve stalled in Mexico,” Marquez told Claro yesterday. “The United States has developed good players, it has potential, a good league, a great infrastructure.