1 Thing Miguel Herrera Must Change Following Mexico's Draw vs. Chile

Mexico was close to securing the win against Chile, but Javier Orozco missed the biggest opportunity of the match. Despite his mistake, there's one thing that should worry Miguel Herrera even more from the scoreless draw.

El Tri are going through a generational change in the defense. After a stellar performance by Rafael Marquez and Francisco Rodriguez during the 2014 World Cup, Herrera needs to find substitutes soon.

Sure, Marquez and Rodriguez haven't announced their retirement. As matter of fact, they are undisputed starters with their clubs; the first even left Leon for Hellas Verona at age 35.

However, they aren't getting younger and will probably miss Russia 2018. This pushes Herrera to try new and promising defenders, like it happened against Chile.

The El Tri coach used his traditional 5-3-2 (which most of the game was really a 3-5-2). Miguel Angel Ponce started in the left flank, Paul Aguilar stood on the right, while Rodriguez, Oswaldo Alanis and Miguel Angel Herrera (not related to the coach) took over the centre of the box.

The Cruz Azul veteran did a fine job. He had a 100 percent pass accuracy after completing all 17 he sent to his team-mates, plus he recovered seven balls, before leaving the pitch with a blow to the leg.

Alanis was far from performing like he has done with his club, Santos Laguna. He played on the left edge of the box and was constantly overpowered by Alexis Sanchez and Arturo Vidal, plus he only recovered three balls.

On the other hand, Herrera, who has been an undisputed starter for Pachuca, was better than Alanis, but he is still a long way from becoming a regular in El Tri's defensive line.

He recovered six balls and only failed to complete one pass for a 95 percent success rate (20 passes).

When Rodriguez left the game, Hugo Ayala came in for his 12th appearance with the senior team (23rd cap).

Different from Alanis and Herrera, Ayala is far more experienced. He has played several friendly matches, plus World Cup qualifiers.

At club level, he also holds more credentials. For starters, he has won a Liga MX title (2011 Apertura) and a Copa MX (2014 Clausura). Ayala was also picked best centre-back of the 2011 Apertura, leaving behind Hector Reynoso and Dario Veron.

The UANL footballer helped Alanis and Herrera on a regular basis, and he tried to support Jose Juan Vazquez (later Antonio Rios) in the centre of the pitch.

The flanks were well guarded. Ponce was creative and dangerous, while Aguilar's involvement was superb; he even helped the team through the right when needed.

It was a good experiment, but there are still doubts in Mexico's backbone. Once again, Guillermo Ochoa became the man of the match with two key saves, both plays as the result of defensive mistakes.

El Piojo has to give Hiram Mier a chance against Bolivia. The Monterrey defender has proven to be in good shape after a knee injury that sidelined him for the 2014 Clausura and an eventual World Cup appearance.

It's important that Herrera adjusts his pieces and tries his options. He needs to give a chance to those footballers who have more probability of being at their best in four years than players like Rodriguez.

Aside from the technique and the power, Herrera must find a libero who can give both structure to the back line and leadership, just as Marquez has done for so many years.

Bolivia will be an easier rival compared with Chile. A victory should not be taken as the greatest achievement but as a confidence booster and a lesson to make adjustments and keep doing what worked.

All stats appear courtesy of Mi Seleccion Gamecast (Spanish), unless otherwise noted.