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As a player, Rafael Márquez always deeply understood the intense rivalry between Mexico and the United States. Now, he gets to experience it from an unprecedented position: the bench, in his new role as head coach of the national team.
Márquez will look to break the streak of two consecutive draws and record his first victory as coach when he faces the American team this Saturday in a friendly match that will be played in Glendale, Arizona.
A start for Rafa Márquez under the microscope
El Tri comes off 1-1 draws against both Colombia and Peru. These matches marked the first commitments for the “Kaiser of Michoacán” at the helm of the team, a position he arrived at after taking over from Javier Aguirre, with whom he worked for a couple of years as an assistant until the conclusion of the World Cup.
This string of draws represents the weakest management start for a national team coach since 2003, when the Argentine Ricardo La Volpe took the reins of the project.
“There are things to improve, but in such a short time it is difficult,” Márquez acknowledged. “I think I am happy, but not satisfied; we must continue working.”
Betting on youth
For the clash against Peru, the strategist completely modified his lineup and brought in 11 different players compared to those who started against Colombia. The decision responded to his desire to observe as many young elements as possible with a view to a generational change.
“I believe in young people; there is a reason I dared to present this starting eleven. I don’t know who else would have dared to do something like that,” he stated. “I trust the quality of the players and we must give them the necessary support so that these matches show us who is on the right track and who is not.”
Despite the previous trials, it is very likely that against the United States the coach will resort to the core team, making use of the players with experience in the last World Cup.
From the pitch to the bench
In his time as a professional footballer, Márquez played 13 official matches against the North American squad, recording a record of four wins, three draws, and six losses.
During those confrontations, he received two red cards, highlighting the memorable expulsion he suffered in the round of 16 of the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup.
Despite the little accumulated work time, the strategist has managed to convey to his players the magnitude of this confrontation.
“This is a separate match; they mention the United States and you know it’s a war,” assured defender Everardo López, one of the prospects who has seen minutes in this FIFA window.
Two projects in search of renewal
Unlike the Mexican outlook, the United States arrives at this appointment with high morale after achieving convincing triumphs over Peru (4-0) and Chile (4-2).
Like Márquez, coach Mauricio Pochettino takes advantage of these preparation matches to evaluate new options for the next World Cup cycle with the United States.
For this reason, the Argentine strategist opted to rest his main figures, leaving out of the call-up stalwarts such as Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Folarin Balogun, and Timothy Weah.
WHAT TIME IS THE MEXICO VS UNITED STATES MATCH?
- Sábado 3 de octubre
- Lugar: State Farm Stadium en Glendale, Arizona, Estados Unidos.
- Transmisión en México: Canal 5, TV Azteca, Prime Video, Claro Sports, TUDN y ViX Premium. [1]
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