Nayib Morán Rivera

@nayibmoran.bsky.social

Bilingual Content Journalist/Mexican football analyst aficionado Past: @espnfc1.bsky.social Current: @njit.bsky.social 🦁 Tutto Passa 🦁 Newsletter: https://delejitos.substack.com/

When I think about Poch's return to the USMNT I think about this quote, and this phrase in particular -- "American sports reward the losers." Losing 4-1 to Belgium in the Round of 16 and he got his reward. The American sports culture he criticized is the one that's giving him a hefty pay.

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Zavier Gozo will be the next US talent to head to Europe at a young age. It's a trend in which the USMNT has surpassed El Tri, however, it hasn't directly influenced the dominance in the region. El Tri continues to win tournaments. This is not an excuse to explain the lack of MX...

Look forward on seeing Sergio Aguayo at Deportes Tolima. Teun Wilke is already over there getting minutes with Fortaleza. If there's no minutes in Liga MX, the Colombian route becomes an option (they get to play Libertadores/Sudamericana). Aguayo can make noise if all things fall into place.

So it is, Mexico-USMNT in Glendale. Hugo Sanchez's first game against the USMNT happened in Glendale (it was technically his debut as Mexico manager). Nineteen years later, Marquez will also have his first game against the USMNT in Glendale.

As I listen to Spanish football experts on the advantages of the player pathway from third division to first division (they're the defending world champions). It's bizarre to expect growth in Mexican football without support to the lower divisions. It's a mess, really.

El Tri will begin the Rafa era in the east coast. Would love to hear his thoughts on the idea of having his second game at Harrison's Red Bull Arena, as his time with RBNY didn't live up to the expectations. Expect the games at Baltimore and NJ with balanced crowds, for both sides.

Understand that that question asked to Chicharito today was harsh -- “When you see Modrić, Cristiano and Messi playing at the World Cup level while you’re one step below, how does that make you feel?” -- but it's also an effect to how he fell off since 2018. He's at fault too.

Edson Alvarez should go to Real Sociedad. If he returns to Ajax, it will not benefit him. If he arrives and plays in La Liga, he has a chance to grow and give his best last years in Europe, which will help him to win a slot in Marquez's XI. Still, his presence in the XI is very doubtful.

All these last-minute "no's" from multiple Liga MX teams, just doesn't look good. If you didn't want to participate in the All-Star Game, why agree to it in the first place, who's at fault? Arriola? At the end, Liga MX All-Stars will be comprised of Atlante players with Piojo in charge.

Important that this year Liga MX figures out how to pack a TV package for the US audience. Games in many spots doesn't help the product in the US. What sucks is that the league president comes from Televisa, nothing can get done without their appoval...still.

Rafa Marquez's second friendly in charge of El Tri will be at Red Bull Arena, now Sports Illustrated Stadium. Mexico-Peru, it looks like. Expecting that stadium to shake big time in September. Peru's coach is Mano Menezes, whose Brazill lost to Mexico at Wembley in 2012.