Mexico vs. Colombia: Loss Proves Mexico Has Glaring Issues to Address on Defense

Mexico's 2-0 international friendly loss to Colombia on Wednesday proved their defense has some real problems that have to be addressed before they establish themselves as a dangerous team in world football again.

Rafael Marquez, who has had a brilliant club career with the likes of Barcelona, as well as a quality national team career, is clearly not the defender he used to be.

The centre-back is no longer a world-class player, and it's obvious the team needs to get younger at that position.

Mexico had a good amount of possession in this match yet they were getting beaten in the final third of the pitch far too easily on several occasions.

There needs to be a bigger sense of urgency and level of intensity among the Mexican back four. For the most part, they are inexperienced, but they are talented enough to stop a Colombian team which is inferior to them.

The Mexican defense must be more focused in its next match and not take any opponent lightly. On the international stage, every country has a talented player or two that can cause real problems if not marked well enough.

Mexico must focus on defending set pieces in training, because if they can limit opponent's scoring chances of free kicks and corner kicks, then they will start to see improvement.

There aren't too many teams in North or South America that Mexico shouldn't be able to defeat if they play to their ability, but not taking opponents seriously is a recipe for disaster that cannot happen at the international level.