Mexico Olympic Men's Soccer Team 2012: Updated News, Roster & Analysis
Mexico will enter the 2012 London Olympics as the favorite to win Pool B. Things could get a bit more difficult in the knockout round, though, as they will be without several players that figured to play key roles for their side.
Recent matches against Brazil and Great Britain have netted two wins, giving fans hope for their first Olympic medal in men's soccer.
However, there were some key differences in those games that make it a bit difficult to project a repeat performance in the Olympics.
Those items and more are discussed in the following slides.
Final Roster
1 of 4Manager Luis Fernando Tena presented Mexico’s roster for the 2012 Olympics at a press conference in late June. There were a few surprises—notably, the omission of striker Alan Pulido.
Reserves were announced in July.
The team used the full complement of overage players.
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Key Players
2 of 4Mexico will enter the Olympics without several of their expected stars. However, they do bring some firepower that could net them their first Olympic medal in men's soccer.
Aside from the following players, look for Héctor Herrera, named the top player of the 2012 Toulon Tournament, to set up scoring opportunities. One of his targets will be Javier Aquino, who is a very good distance shooter.
Giovani dos Santos
While dos Santos has been a dynamic midfielder in international play, he seems to have fallen out of favor for the Tottenham Hotpsurs in the English Premier League. Fans are hoping for the best when he pulls on his El Tri uniform, and dos Santos' play could determine where he plays next season, as he will be moving on from Tottenham.
Not only is dos Santos the team's top superstar, he is the best player in Pool B and one of the top three or five players in the Olympics. He has two World Cup finals and a CONCACAF championship under his belt for Mexico.
Dos Santos scored one of Mexico's two goals in their win over Brazil in June. The other came from Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez, whose name is missing from this list.
Also missing are standout forward Carlos Vela and midfielder Jonathan dos Santos, who both declined to represent Mexico in the Olympics. This will place a lot of pressure on dos Santos, as he will need to provide most of Mexico's offense.
Marco Fabian
Fabian has been a fixture for Chivas for several years and was a breakout player at the Apertura 2010 Tournament.
However, his fame also brought some off-pitch issues, and Fabian served a six-month suspension. He has been playing well since returning, though, and could be a key to Mexico winning a medal in the Olympics.
Fabian was the leading scorer for both the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Tournament and the Toulon Tournament.
Fabian will help dos Santos keep opposing defenses guessing. He is a skilled dribbler that can control the ball and deliver accurate shots on goal.
Hiram Mier
Mexico's center-back will lead El Tri's defense in the London Games. He was the team's captain at the 2012 Toulon Tournament and even scored against France earlier in the year.
He will keep order in the defense and will control the ball for his side.
Oribe Peralta
Peralta earned a roster spot as one of Mexico's overage players by virtue of his scoring prowess. El Tri will need him to step up and replace scoring opportunities.
He was the top scorer at the 2011 Pan American Games.
Peralta missed time earlier in the year with a hamstring injury, but he has a knack for hitting the net whether running head-on or shooting with his back to the keeper.
Main Challengers
3 of 4Brazil
Widely considered the favorite to win the tournament, Brazil hopes to win their first gold medal in the Olympic Games. They have earned two silvers and two bronzes since some professional players were allowed to join teams in 1984.
Brazil's soccer federation has amassed an amazing roster, and they appear ready to assert their dominance in the Olympics. Their biggest challenge could come from the pitch they are playing on as opposed to the teams they face.
Mexico scored an impressive 2-0 win over Brazil, but they won't have the same roster in London.
Spain
The side from Spain is one of the top threats in the tournament. They won the UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship last year, demonstrating the talent they have from their younger players.
They also boast three players from their Euro 2012 championship team.
Spain are loaded with players from the Premier League, including David de Gea (Manchester United) and Juan Mata, an overage option from Chelsea.
Mata won the Golden Player Award in the aforementioned 2011 UEFA tournament.
Mexico could be facing Spain to determine if they play for gold or bronze in London.
Great Britain
While Great Britain hasn't placed a soccer team in the Olympics since 1971, they should be ready to compete on their home turf. They are led by the talented Welsh captain Ryan Giggs, a midfielder who plays for Manchester United.
The team is loaded with Premier League talent, but they may not be enough. While they have experience, they have not played together. Team GB were given a berth in the Olympics without qualifying and simply haven't developed the cohesion other sides have.
Mexico beat Great Britain in a closed-door friendly, but they will have a much harder time with them if they are playing for a medal in front of a hostile British crowd.
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Prediction
4 of 4Mexico was near dominant during their undefeated qualifying run. They outscored their opponents 16-3 while going 5-0-0 in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
Mexico's medal hopes might be dashed, though, as overage hopeful Javier Hernandez won't be joining the squad.
Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson claims on the team's website that part of the star forward's struggles last season were from a lack of rest during the 2011 offseason.
"His form last season was fantastic. He’s found the second year more difficult, but a lot of that is down to not having a summer break for three years and playing every summer for his country.
Next year he will be fine as we have agreed with the Mexican Football Association that he is going to get the requisite rest that he needs to perform in the Premier League.
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United is attempting to rebound from a difficult Premier League season, but several other players are being allowed to play in the Olympics. Ferguson's claim that it was a joint decision with the Mexican national team was refuted by team director Héctor González Inarritu.
“Alex Ferguson denied Javier Hernández’s participation in the Olympic games,” Inarritu stated in a press conference via foxnews.com.
The decision was a change of stance for Ferguson, who stated earlier in the year that players would be allowed to compete in the Olympics.
"De Gea is definitely in the Olympics for Spain so we're missing a goalkeeper. Hernandez has been called up to the Mexico squad. And then nine players have been nominated (for Great Britain).
Ben Amos is one which would only leave us with one goalkeeper to start the season with. Giggs and Rooney have been nominated. Scholes hasn't. Ashley Young is in there too with Smalling, Jones, Welbeck and Cleverley. Jonny Evans is also nominated. If a player wants to play they play.
Alex Ferguson via manutd.com
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The absence of Hernandez likely will be the difference in Mexico earning a medal. Great Britain, Brazil and Spain will have a full complement of players, and are the favorites to reach the podium.
Mexico could very well end up one spot back.
Mexico is the favorite to win Pool B, which would pit them against the two seed from Pool A. That will be either Senegal, United Arab Emirates or Uruguay. A win there will likely mean a match against Spain and then a trip to the bronze-medal game to face either Great Britain or Brazil.
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