After Controversy, Mexico Enter Gold Cup Final with Pressure Still On
After Wednesday night's controversial victory over Panama in Atlanta, Mexico stands just one win away from claiming a record seventh CONCACAF Gold Cup title. Under normal circumstances, that would be cause for celebration. However, the feeling surrounding this team seems more consistent with a side in the midst of ongoing struggles.
Somewhat paradoxically, that's exactly the case for El Tri. Despite staying unbeaten on the way to the Gold Cup final, Mexico has played well only in patches, and the team's match against Panama marked its worst performance of the tournament.
That match saw the Canaleros reduced to 10 men in the first half, as American referee Mark Geiger controversially sent off Luis Tejada. But even with their numerical disadvantage, Panama managed to take the lead in the second half, thanks to Roman Torres, and nearly saw out the win over 90 minutes.
But Geiger intervened again shortly before full time, generously awarding Mexico a penalty for a handball on Torres. Both decisions incensed Panama, and the second led to El Tri's equalizer via Andres Guardado's spot kick. Guardado then won it with another penalty—which seemed more legit—in extra time.
After the match, Mexico coach Miguel Herrera spoke bluntly about the controversy and his side's performance. According to Reuters, he said:
"The first (spot kick) was not a penalty but that's not my fault, the fact is we didn't deserve to win the match because we didn't play at all well.
That's football and it's not ideal. The first wasn't a penalty but the chance fell to us and we made the most of the circumstances (but) we're quite bothered to have won in this manner, playing badly.
"
Herrera might be bothered about his side's performance against Panama, but he won't be bothered about where the win put Mexico.
El Piojo has faced pressure all summer to deliver a Gold Cup title, especially after a different-looking El Tri side couldn't make an impression at the Copa America in June. Apart from a 6-0 thrashing of Cuba in the opener, Mexico has not played particularly well at the Gold Cup—even though it is now on the verge of winning it.
Even in that match against Cuba, El Tri probably should have scored more goals. The offense struggled in a scoreless draw with Guatemala after that, and the defense was exposed by Trinidad and Tobago in a thrilling 4-4 stalemate.
Mexico played better football in the quarterfinals against Costa Rica, but finishing was a problem. In that game, another controversial penalty—this one in stoppage time of the second half of extra time—rescued Herrera's men.
Tom Marshall of ESPN FC summed up Mexico's performance so far at the tournament:
"Putting all the controversy to one side, Mexico is not playing well and is having a poor summer, despite reaching the Gold Cup final with every chance of defeating Jamaica on Sunday.
El Tri have enjoyed a lot of luck so far and hasn't shown much in terms of positivity on the field. The poor performance against Panama wasn't expected, especially after Mexico had improved in the quarter against Costa Rica.
"
To this point in the tournament, Mexico has not produced a good all-around performance over 90 minutes. Whether it's linking play, defense or finishing, each game has included at least one glaring deficiency in El Tri's performance.
That has produced an unusual feeling around the team ahead of the final, which would normally prompt optimism and confidence. But even after struggling for much of the tournament, Mexico now has a chance to put all of that in the past and beat Jamaica in the final.
Doing so would give the fans reason to celebrate, but considering the way his team has played this summer, Herrera might just remain on the hot seat.
Follow @MiguelCominguez.
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