Mexico National Soccer Team: Fool’s Gold or the Real Deal?

Mexico captured its ninth Concacaf Gold Cup championship after defeating Panama 1-0 this past weekend at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, California.

In the 88th minute, Santiago Giménez was able to seal the win for Mexico as the forward scored the lone goal of the game. After much celebration and the raising of the trophy. Questions remain.

It’s been a tumultuous past few years for the team. Does this victory absolve the team for its horrid play the past few years?

Let’s take a look at the past events that are causing skepticism.

Struggles against the USA

Mexico has not been able to beat their biggest rival USA since September 6, 2019. Since then the USA has dominated the series 4-0-2 with victories in the Concacaf Nations league Championships, FIFA World Cup, and a championship victory at the 2021 Gold Cup. After winning the Gold Cup in the same tournament as the U.S. Mexico needs a head-to-head victory to shake off its demons against the USA.

The 2022 World Cup historic disappointment

After taking losses to the United States at the 2021 Nations League Championship & Gold Cup championships in the same year. Head coach Gerardo Martino led the Mexico National Team to the 2022 FIFA World Cup on the hot seat. After making the round of 16 in 2014 and 2018 In back to back World Cup the team’s expectations were set. The team’s trip to Qatar would be short-lived and ended after three matches. The team failed to make it out of the group stage. This was the first time since 1978 making 44 years a Mexican team wouldn’t make it out of the group stages. A difference in goals would be the factor In Poland advancing and Mexico going home. Head coach Martino would leave the Mexico job vacant immediately after the World Cup.

Nations League embarrassment of 2023
The stage was set for team Mexico at The 2023 Nations League tournament. A chance at taking down one of their biggest rivals and an opportunity at the championship. It was USA and Mexico in the semifinals at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mexico led by newly named head coach Diego Cocca looking to seize this huge opportunity. The match brought change but not the one everyone was expecting.
Mexico was outplayed the whole game and got demolished 3-0 by the USA. After two players received red cards and got ejected and multiple scuffles it was time for another change for Mexico. Cocca got fired after only four months and seven matches into his tenure.

These events and years brought lowlights to Mexico. The feeling of disappointment has a larger sample size than the feeling of accomplishment for Team Mexico. With a young head coach in Jaime Lozano and a new culture building. Is this team fool’s gold or the real deal?