[Canalejas]

https://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/st...t-analysis

The victory was something of an inside job. Eleven of the 15 players Mexico used were either born in the U.S. or played there, including Ordóñez, who was born in Riverside; Pelayo, a Florida native; and Barreras, who is from Phoenix.

Ordóñez and Pelayo both were called up to U.S. age-group national teams but chose to leave and play for Mexico at the senior level.

“Beating the U.S. for the first time on their turf is a special feeling,” Ordóñez said, switching to English. “Since I was a kid I played for the United States. Then I changed shirts and now I represent Mexico. To beat the United States is something unforgettable.”

Mexico, which recruits heavily in the U.S., has proved wildly successful at coaxing dual nationals to play for a senior team that has improved dramatically from the days when its roster was filled with dual nationals who spoke no Spanish and didn’t know the words to the national anthem.

Mexico also has benefited from the investment made in its domestic league. The team it brought to the W Gold Cup featured 20 players from the Liga MX Femenil and just three from the NWSL. Compare that to the roster Mexico used in Olympic qualifying in 2016, the year before the Liga MX began play. That team featured seven players from American colleges, five who had no team affiliation and one who played for an amateur youth club in the San Francisco Bay Area.

---

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozJi2qYoKxQ

---

The gasp on the second goal call says it all.

[Canalejas]

https://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/st...t-analysis

The victory was something of an inside job. Eleven of the 15 players Mexico used were either born in the U.S. or played there, including Ordóñez, who was born in Riverside; Pelayo, a Florida native; and Barreras, who is from Phoenix.

Ordóñez and Pelayo both were called up to U.S. age-group national teams but chose to leave and play for Mexico at the senior level.

“Beating the U.S. for the first time on their turf is a special feeling,” Ordóñez said, switching to English. “Since I was a kid I played for the United States. Then I changed shirts and now I represent Mexico. To beat the United States is something unforgettable.”

Mexico, which recruits heavily in the U.S., has proved wildly successful at coaxing dual nationals to play for a senior team that has improved dramatically from the days when its roster was filled with dual nationals who spoke no Spanish and didn’t know the words to the national anthem.

Mexico also has benefited from the investment made in its domestic league. The team it brought to the W Gold Cup featured 20 players from the Liga MX Femenil and just three from the NWSL. Compare that to the roster Mexico used in Olympic qualifying in 2016, the year before the Liga MX began play. That team featured seven players from American colleges, five who had no team affiliation and one who played for an amateur youth club in the San Francisco Bay Area.

---

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozJi2qYoKxQ

---

The gasp on the second goal call says it all.

[BobK]

Would help if we had a coach. Our new hire doesn’t start until June. No hurry I guess

[BobK]

Would help if we had a coach. Our new hire doesn’t start until June. No hurry I guess

[StanfordMatt]

This paragraph makes zero sense to me...

"Mexico, which recruits heavily in the U.S., has proved wildly successful at coaxing dual nationals to play for a senior team that has improved dramatically from the days when its roster was filled with dual nationals who spoke no Spanish and didn’t know the words to the national anthem."

It sounds like the roster is currently filled with the same type of players that it used to be, these ones are just better.

[StanfordMatt]

This paragraph makes zero sense to me...

"Mexico, which recruits heavily in the U.S., has proved wildly successful at coaxing dual nationals to play for a senior team that has improved dramatically from the days when its roster was filled with dual nationals who spoke no Spanish and didn’t know the words to the national anthem."

It sounds like the roster is currently filled with the same type of players that it used to be, these ones are just better.

[cardcrimson]

Wonder if these girls will be met with the same disdain and venom that Elaine Gu experienced. . . .

[cardcrimson]

Wonder if these girls will be met with the same disdain and venom that Elaine Gu experienced. . . .

[Canalejas]

This paragraph makes zero sense to me...

"Mexico, which recruits heavily in the U.S., has proved wildly successful at coaxing dual nationals to play for a senior team that has improved dramatically from the days when its roster was filled with dual nationals who spoke no Spanish and didn’t know the words to the national anthem."

It sounds like the roster is currently filled with the same type of players that it used to be, these ones are just better.

It does seem like the bigger difference is the launch of the professional women's league in México.

[Canalejas]

This paragraph makes zero sense to me...

"Mexico, which recruits heavily in the U.S., has proved wildly successful at coaxing dual nationals to play for a senior team that has improved dramatically from the days when its roster was filled with dual nationals who spoke no Spanish and didn’t know the words to the national anthem."

It sounds like the roster is currently filled with the same type of players that it used to be, these ones are just better.

It does seem like the bigger difference is the launch of the professional women's league in México.

[dabigv13]

Wonder if these girls will be met with the same disdain and venom that Elaine Gu experienced. . . .

Probably not. Gu could have competed for the US if she wanted, most of the Mexico players probably would not have been first team selections for the USWNT. And of course Mexico is not a communist dictatorship running concentration camps for disfavored minorities so that probably factors in as well.

[dabigv13]

Wonder if these girls will be met with the same disdain and venom that Elaine Gu experienced. . . .

Probably not. Gu could have competed for the US if she wanted, most of the Mexico players probably would not have been first team selections for the USWNT. And of course Mexico is not a communist dictatorship running concentration camps for disfavored minorities so that probably factors in as well.

[old spanish trail]

It's been 1 1/2 years(?) since Maccario's ACL injury, and it doesn't sound like a return is imminent. Hope for the best, but much concern here.

[old spanish trail]

It's been 1 1/2 years(?) since Maccario's ACL injury, and it doesn't sound like a return is imminent. Hope for the best, but much concern here.

[Hieronymus]

It's been 1 1/2 years(?) since Maccario's ACL injury, and it doesn't sound like a return is imminent. Hope for the best, but much concern here.

Rumblings say March maybe. So hope for soon. But she has been out a long time even for an ACL injury. Usually you see soccer players back in a year though it is not uncommon for it to take 2 years to be fully back. I hope she is fully recovered.

---

This paragraph makes zero sense to me...

"Mexico, which recruits heavily in the U.S., has proved wildly successful at coaxing dual nationals to play for a senior team that has improved dramatically from the days when its roster was filled with dual nationals who spoke no Spanish and didn’t know the words to the national anthem."

It sounds like the roster is currently filled with the same type of players that it used to be, these ones are just better.

It does seem like the bigger difference is the launch of the professional women's league in México.

So first off, yes Mexico’s womens team has always had many dual US citizens. The confusing bit in the article makes no sense. I think a few things here. Better players. Most of the team does play in Mexico; so league improvement is certainly a factor. And the biggest might be more federation investment and a real coach.

It also matters that the US is rudderless until the Summer when the new coach shows up at a time when the team is pretty lost. The good news is Hayes should have a clear mandate to change whatever she thinks needs to be fixed.

[Hieronymus]

It's been 1 1/2 years(?) since Maccario's ACL injury, and it doesn't sound like a return is imminent. Hope for the best, but much concern here.

Rumblings say March maybe. So hope for soon. But she has been out a long time even for an ACL injury. Usually you see soccer players back in a year though it is not uncommon for it to take 2 years to be fully back. I hope she is fully recovered.

---

This paragraph makes zero sense to me...

"Mexico, which recruits heavily in the U.S., has proved wildly successful at coaxing dual nationals to play for a senior team that has improved dramatically from the days when its roster was filled with dual nationals who spoke no Spanish and didn’t know the words to the national anthem."

It sounds like the roster is currently filled with the same type of players that it used to be, these ones are just better.

It does seem like the bigger difference is the launch of the professional women's league in México.

So first off, yes Mexico’s womens team has always had many dual US citizens. The confusing bit in the article makes no sense. I think a few things here. Better players. Most of the team does play in Mexico; so league improvement is certainly a factor. And the biggest might be more federation investment and a real coach.

It also matters that the US is rudderless until the Summer when the new coach shows up at a time when the team is pretty lost. The good news is Hayes should have a clear mandate to change whatever she thinks needs to be fixed.

[d4cohn]

The USWNT didn't lose after the loss to Mexico, holding a Brazil squad that entered with 15 goals in the tournament so far to 0 shots on target. USWNT wins the Gold Cup 1-0. On the other note from this thread, Cat apparently played/scored for her club and is back in action.

[d4cohn]

The USWNT didn't lose after the loss to Mexico, holding a Brazil squad that entered with 15 goals in the tournament so far to 0 shots on target. USWNT wins the Gold Cup 1-0. On the other note from this thread, Cat apparently played/scored for her club and is back in action.

[Sakibomb25]

Would help if we had a coach.  Our new hire doesn’t start until June.  No hurry I guess

Emma Hayes will officially be coaching the US team in June... but you'd be niave to think she isn't pulling the strings now and checking which players she wants to take with her to the Olympics when she isn't coaching Chelsea (and Cat Macario).

And Macario has scored twice I believe in the two games since she has been back from injury.

[Sakibomb25]

Would help if we had a coach.  Our new hire doesn’t start until June.  No hurry I guess

Emma Hayes will officially be coaching the US team in June... but you'd be niave to think she isn't pulling the strings now and checking which players she wants to take with her to the Olympics when she isn't coaching Chelsea (and Cat Macario).

And Macario has scored twice I believe in the two games since she has been back from injury.

[akiddoc]

Macario is back:

https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/3...-cup-semis

[akiddoc]

Macario is back:

https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/3...-cup-semis

[old spanish trail]

Macario is back:

https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/3...-cup-semis

Grreeaaat! Thanks.

[old spanish trail]

Macario is back:

https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/3...-cup-semis

Grreeaaat! Thanks.

[UltimateCard]

Macario is back:

https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/3...-cup-semis

Grreeaaat! Thanks.

Another piece about Cat’s return: https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/everyth...b80568c878

[UltimateCard]

Macario is back:

https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/3...-cup-semis

Grreeaaat! Thanks.

Another piece about Cat’s return: https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/everyth...b80568c878