By Victor Munoz
Sports Editor
If El Tri, the nickname for the Mexican national soccer team, ever advances past the round of 16 in the World Cup—something it hasn’t done for seven consecutive tournaments—it’s going to need all its best players to contribute.
Which is why fans of El Tri have been perplexed lately by the number of high-profile players who have refused to join the national team’s call-up. Among those who have refused are many World Cup seasoned players, including Jonathan Dos Santos, Giovani Dos Santos, Miguel Layun, Marco Fabian, Andres Guardado, Jesus ‘el
The latest is Mexico’s top goal scorer Javier Hernandez (50 goals with the National team), a striker who plays with Premier League side West Ham United. While he refused to give a reason for denying the call-up, there seem to be two likely scenarios. The first is that he wants to dedicate his time to
During a press conference in Mexico on Feb.
“I cannot speak if Javier Hernandez is uninterested [to come to the National Team], for us, he is considered,” said Martino.
Martino did say that any player who needs to be talked into putting on the jersey of their country has some serious motivation issues.
“If the coach has to motivate a player to come we have a serious problem,” said Martino.
Roberto Carlos Rivera, a defender on CSUDH’s men’s soccer team, agrees with Martino. He was on the verge of representing the country his parents were born in, Guatemala, but due to financial problems, Guatemala was suspended from FIFA competitions.
Rivera said having the opportunity to represent your country should generate not only a great deal of
And there are those players like Mexican youth goalkeeper Abraham Romero who are satisfied with a call-up for a U-20 competition or even a friendly game.
“All the call-ups, all the matches, are very important,” said Romero, 20, an LA Galaxy reserve team goalkeeper who continues to represent the Mexico youth team. “That spark of pride that comes to you when you know you were chosen to represent your country is never gone.”
Getting an opportunity to wear your country’s jersey is the dream for almost every player. We see players like Oswaldo Alanis (Mexico center-back) sacrificing wages to play in Europe, the highest level in the world of soccer. Alanis accepted an offer of Spaniard second-Division team Real Oviedo, even though the team offered him a smaller salary that what he received playing for Mexico’s Chivas. Or Latin American players like Nico Castillo (Chile), Guido Pizarro (Argentina) and Carlos Salcedo (Mexico) who sacrifice the European dream to gain playing time before a big international competition.
“Getting a call up [to the U.S National Team was] one of the biggest moments in my career,” said CSUDH alumni and U.S National team striker Gyasi Zardes. “There are no words to describe that moment, it was a dream come true.”
Former CSUDH men’s soccer, and current Chivas de Guadalajara defender, Tony Alfaro said he works day by day and always hopes for a call-up to the national team.
And for the rest of us, who would pay to play soccer for a local club just for the simple joy of playing the sport, it is hard to imagine why an athlete would put BUT’S in representing the National Team, since that is considered the highest level of soccer.
Rivera said he wouldn’t think twice in representing his country because a call-up puts you in the highest spectrum of soccer. It says you are one of the best in your country and speaks a lot about your talent.
If you request extra motivation or extra cash to represent your country you shouldn’t even be considered. National teams need
