Argentine may change nationality, play for Mexico in soccer World Cup
Argentine soccer player Walter Gaitan told Mexican sports daily Record on Friday, that he is willing to change nationality and play for Mexico in the soccer World Cup, after an invite from Mexico coach Ricardo Lavolpe.
“I love Argentina, but I have been here more time now, and I really identify more with the people of Mexico. If I have a chance to represent them, I am going to give it my best shot,” he said.
Gaitan could become the third nationalized player in Lavolpe’s squad, alongside Argentina-born Guillermo Franco and former Brazilian Sinha.
The move has drawn criticism in Mexican football circles; Raul Arias, manager of San Luis Raul Arias joked that Lavolpe should change Mexico’s national anthem to the tango. Jorge Vergara, president of Guadalajara team Chivas, famous for having no foreign-born players, said he did not agree with Lavolpe’s recruiting methods.
Critics of the policy told the press they are angry because La Volpe overlooked Mexican-born midfielder Cuauhtemoc Blanco and striker Adolfo Bautista, who many feel deserve a place in the squad. Blanco is often described as a volatile character, but is also regarded by many as Mexico’s best player.
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Mexico to play five exhibition games in U.S. next year before World Cup
Mexico will play five international friendlies in the United States next year before the World Cup, including a March matchup against Ghana, a first-round opponent of the U.S. team.
Mexico will play Ghana on March 1 in the Dallas area, Soccer United Marketing said Wednesday. The United States plays the Black Stars on June 22 at Nuremberg, Germany, in the final first-round game for the Americans at the World Cup,
Mexico meets Norway on Jan. 25 at San Francisco, four days before Norway plays the United States in Carson,
Borgetti, Marquez to play for Mexico against United States in World Cup qualifier
Jared Borgetti is expected to lead the attack when Mexico faces the United States in a World Cup qualifying match.
The Bolton striker was picked by Mexico coach Ricardo Lavolpe for the match in Columbus, Ohio, on Sept. 3, the Mexican Soccer Federation said Saturday.
FC Barcelona defender Rafael Marquez was also chosen.
Mexico leads the final round of CONCACAF qualifying with 16 points from six matches, followed by the United States with 15 points. The top three teams in the six-team group qualify for the 2006
Borgetti, Marquez to play for Mexico against United States in World Cup qualifier
Jared Borgetti is expected to lead the attack when Mexico faces the United States in a World Cup qualifying match.
The Bolton striker was picked by Mexico coach Ricardo Lavolpe for the match in Columbus, Ohio, on Sept. 3, the Mexican Soccer Federation said Saturday.
FC Barcelona defender Rafael Marquez was also chosen.
Mexico leads the final round of CONCACAF qualifying with 16 points from six matches, followed by the United States with 15 points. The top three teams in the six-team group qualify for the 2006 World
Mexico Soccer Coach May Be Out
Ricardo Lavolpe is not likely to continue as Mexico coach when his contract expires after the World Cup.
Mexican club owners will meet soon to decide Lavolpes future, but the coach is expected to be shown the door, Mexican Football Federation president Alberto de la Torre said. He said the Mexican manager has offers from Argentine and European clubs.
I think he will not (continue), de la Torre told Mexican channel Televisa. He wants to coach in Europe. He was telling me he has an offer from Spain, and also has offers from Argentina, so hes
US Soccer Team Beats Mexico, 2-0, Earns Berth in 2006 World Cup
The U.S. Men's Soccer team has defeated Mexico, two-nothing, to earn a berth in next year's World Cup in Germany. The U.S. men are the first team from the North, Central American and Caribbean region to book a place in the World Cup.
The match was even through the first 53 minutes, but then Oguchi Onyewu deflected teammate Eddie Lewis's free kick in front of Mexico's goal.
Mexican goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez sprawled across the goalmouth to try to stop Onyewu and when the shot ricocheted off the goalpost, Steve Ralston
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
Mexico has point to make in World Cup tune-up
There is nothing friendly or relaxed about tonight's exhibition soccer match between Mexico and Bulgaria at Reliant Stadium. At least not to the Mexican players and coaches.
Tricolores head coach Ricardo La Volpe made that clear by closing practice at the Texans' outdoor field Tuesday.
At practice's end, the Profe — short for professor in Spanish — calmly walked away without uttering a word as hordes of media invaded the field, as if saying to his pupils: "Take care of it. You know what to do."
Apparently they do. And they hope to prove it
COLUMBUS, Ohio - What better way to qualify for the World Cup than by beating Mexico? Or, what better way than by beating the United States?
The archrivals get that opportunity to clinch a spot in Germany 2006 by winning Saturday night. Even a tie might be enough for both sides, but neither country is thinking about draws in what has become one of soccer’s most heated series.
“The reason I know how special this game is, is on Sunday night, a full week before the game, I was already thinking about the game laying in bed,†U.S. star Landon Donovan said.
France to play Mexico and Denmark in warm-up games
France are to take on Mexico and Denmark in World Cup warm-up matches next year.
Les Bleus will host Mexico, one of the eight seeds in the World Cup, at the Stade de France in Paris on May 27, the French Football Federation said in a statement on its website on Thursday.
France, who are also seeds, will then entertain Denmark, who failed to qualify for the finals in Germany, at the Stade Bollaert in Lens four days later.
A third game is scheduled on June 7 but the opponents and venue are not yet
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
