Mexico’s La Volpe defends selection
Mexico coach Ricardo La Volpe has defended his decision to include Argentine-born striker Guillermo Franco in the national squad for Saturday’s World Cup qualifier at home to Guatemala.
“Most of the strikers who play in Mexico, I would say 80 percent, are foreigners and if one of them is a naturalized Mexican, I don’t understand why I can’t see what he can do,” La Volpe told reporters on Tuesday.
“I’ve seen the others, now I want to see Guillermo,” the former Argentina goalkeeper added. “It doesn’t mean he’s going to the World Cup.”
With two qualifying matches remaining in the final CONCACAF group, Mexico is already assured of a berth at next year’s finals in Germany.
The selection of foreign-born players in the national team has become a thorny issue in the country, with a number of locally born competitors complaining that they are being deprived a chance.
Mario Carillo, coach of Mexican champions America, joined in the debate this week when he suggested that no more naturalized players should be picked.
La Volpe has regularly selected Brazilian-born Antonio Naelson, however, he was not included this time.
Franco was leading scorer for Monterrey in the 2004-05 Apertura championship with 15 goals and he is well aware of the sensitivity surrounding his selection.
“I’m very conscious of what it means to have another naturalized player in the national team,” he said. “But I’m just here to do the job and I mustn’t be affected by the pressure.”
Source: sportsillustrated.cnn.com
Spain defends former PM against meddling charges by Mexico
The Spanish government said on Friday it would back former Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar involved in a recent spat with the Mexican government.
The former Spanish prime minister has been accused of interfering in Mexico's political matters and breaking the country's election laws after he publicly endorsed a presidential candidate there.
Spain's Deputy Prime Minister Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vegasaid Spain "defends, has defended and has supported Mr Aznar against the Mexican authorities" through its foreign ministry.
Mexico hit by new naturalisation row
Mexico's national team has been hit by another row over naturalised players after coach Ricardo La Volpe said he was interested in the services of Argentine-born midfielder Walter Gaitan.
La Volpe already has two naturalised players in his squad -- Brazilian-born midfielder Antonio Naelson and Argentine-born foward Guillermo Franco -- and the subject has split Mexican football down the middle.
Critics are especially angry because La Volpe has overlooked Mexican-born midfielder Cuauhtemoc Blanco and striker Adolfo Bautista, who many feel deserve a place in the squad.
The volatile Blanco, in particular, is regarded by
Mexico recall veteran Suarez
Veteran defender Claudio Suarez was named in Mexico's squad for Wednesday's (Thursday AEDT) friendly against Paraguay.
Nicknamed the Emperor, Suarez has been picked sporadically by coach Ricardo La Volpe in the last two years. His last appearance was in the 2-0 win over Hungary in December.
Mexico are using Wednesday's (Thursday AEDT) game in Chicago as the latest in a series of warm-ups for the World Cup where they will face Iran, Angola and Portugal in their first round group.
La Volpe also included striker Jared Borgetti in the squad although his presence could depend on negotiations
Mexico call up Argentine
Mexico, who have already booked a berth at next year's World Cup, called up Argentine-born striker Guillermo Franco for their remaining two qualifiers while Cuauhtemoc Blanco was again overlooked.
The possibility of a call-up for Monterrey's Franco had re-ignited a fierce debate over the presence of foreign-born players in the squad.
Coach Ricardo La Volpe, himself an Argentine, has already caused controversy by selecting Brazilian-born forward Antonio Naelson for the squad, although he was left out on this occasion.
Guadalajara striker Adolfo Bautista, who has been unable to win a place in the squad recently, has been
Mexico's Suarez equals record
Veteran defender Claudio Suarez made a record-equalling 173rd international appearance as Mexico beat Hungary 2-0, their first win over a European side since the 2002 World Cup.
Striker Francisco Fonseca and defender Joel Huiqui scored in each half before a 25,000 crowd at the Chasefield stadium in Phoenix, Arizona, against opponents who played almost the entire game with 10 men.
Mexico gave four players - goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, defender Antonio Olvera, midfielder Andres Guardado and striker Alonso Sandoval - their international debuts as they tried to break their duck against European opposition under coach Ricardo La Volpe.
Mexico upset by 'minnows'
“I IMAGINE THAT WE’LL QUALIFY ON Saturday because this team is looking really good,” Ricardo La Volpe, the Mexico coach, said before his team’s match against the United States on Saturday. He was wrong.
In no mood to eat his words, however, he came up with some more. “It’s a little team,” La Volpe said of his team’s opponents afterwards. “Here, everyone’s interested in baseball and American football and many people didn’t even know that a soccer match was being played today. So it’s easy for them, because they aren’t playing under any pressure. My mother, my
Barrio Antiguo: Monterrey
Walk trought the streets of the Barrio Antiguo (Old District), find the northern arquitecture, combination of colors and old window bars. This is a place full of art gallerys, bars, night clubs, coffe shop store and more. The center of nightlife in Monterrey is definitely Barrio Antiguo, but there is plenty of action spread out over the rest of the city. Theatre, concerts with big name entertainers, discos, small coffee houses, Norteña music shows, salsa clubs, jazz and piano bars, extravagant rodeo shows all combine to provide a selection that should satisfy everybody. Many of the
Mexico call-up for Argentines
Mexico have called up uncapped Argentine-born forward Guillermo Franco and striker Luis Angel Landin for a World Cup warm-up against fellow finalists Ghana next Wednesday (Thursday AEDT).
Coach Ricardo La Volpe also recalled Bolton Wanderers striker Jared Borgetti to an 18-man squad but he overlooked the experienced Cuauhtemoc Blanco.
The match will be played across the US border at the Pizza Hut stadium in the Texan city of Frisco.
Mexico are in Group D with Angola, Iran and Portugal at the World Cup in Germany. Ghana are in Group E with Italy, Czech Republic and the US.
Mexico beats Hungary in friendly
Francisco Fonseca and Joel Huiqui both scored goals in each half and Mexico beat Hungary 2-0 Wednesday night in an exhibition match.
The win was the first in seven games against a European team for Mexico since Ricardo La Volpe took over as national coach after the 2002 World Cup.
The exhibition was part of the Mexico's five-game U.S. tour in preparation for the World Cup in Germany next year.
Fonseca scored on a header from about 10 yards out in the 32nd minute. Juan Pablo Rodriguez crossed the ball to Fonseca off a corner kick and
'Latinos and obesity' topic of U.S.-Mexico health task force
The Fresno County Binational Health Task Force and the Department of Health Science at Fresno State will join the commemoration of the 5th annual U.S.-Mexico Binational Health Week with a forum on Latinos and obesity Oct. 12 at Fresno State.
The program, “Obesity: The Silent Epidemic in Latino Communities,” will be from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in University Center, Room 200. Parking restrictions will be relaxed in Lot D.
Speakers are Fresno State faculty members Dr. Helda Pinzon-Perez and Dr. Felicia Greer, plus Dr. Jose Gallegos Martinez, a staff physician at the Hospital
