MEXICO has arrived in Columbus, Ohio in preparation for Wednesday’s match against the United States in the final round of CONCACAF WORLD CUP QUALIFYING.

VOODOO DOLL 101

A Mexican newspaper called the RECORD found a new sponsor to help put a voodoo hex on the U.S. National team who have not lost on U.S. soil to “EL TRI” in their last 10 matches.
Initially RADIO SHACK was approached but then then pulled out.
Enter DALLAS based BLOCKBUSTER VIDEO who began distributing voodoo dolls with the likeness of a U.S. national team player in exchange for a newspaper coupon in their stores in Mexico. On the back of the jersey on the doll it reads “gringos”.
“Hold a needle firmly between your thumb and index finger and prick slowly the part of the doll where you want to affect the opponent,” the instructions read.

Record spokesman Daniel Paz had this to say: “In soccer training and practice are what determine good results. The best team will win,” he said.
“But with out any doubt, this little doll can help the vibes of the Mexican fans to change the history of Mexico and turn things around.”

So is this good marketing? Good fun? Or a little too much?

The issue of outside back is in question for the UNITED STATES against MEXICO this Wednesday as STEVE CHERUNDOLO who has had a lock on that position is out with a strained right hip.
Cherundolo who will turn 30 on February 19th has not played since an exhibition game for HANNOVER in GERMANY on January 10th and U.S. Manager BOB BRADLEY says he will not be ready.
The obvious choice now to start at right back is long time national team player FRANKIE HEJDUK of the COLUMBUS CREW.
The bigger question is with Hejduk getting on in age who is the right back of the future for the UNITED STATES ? Jonathan Spector? Marvell Wynne?

ERIKSSON STRUGGLES WITH MEXICAN CULTURE

In my opinion this was a poor choice by the MEXICAN FEDERATION as a coach.
ERIKSSON clearly seems out of his element with MEXICO and is just using it as another stop on his coaching carousel. I truly believe MEXICO and it’s players are not on the same page as SVENGALI.
Now the players have to bear responsibility as well and one hear’s repeatedly from Mexican fans that the players do not play for the shirt? Is that true?
If the U.S. were to beat MEXICO this coming WEDNESDAY will ERIKSSON be fired? Should he be fired ?
I do not believe he has the ability to appeal to the national pride of his players but in the end do you really have to be convinced to put out maximum effort while representing millions or your countrymen?

How about this from RAMON RAMIREZ in a recent interview about Eriksson and Mexico on goal.com

“I sometimes think that Mexicans themselves are not sure about what that team identity is or should be. It’s a difficult conflict of many years, and I don’t think the problem is necessarily with Eriksson. The most important thing is taht the players convince themselves of what they need to do. The problem with the national team is structural, it’s not with the coach. I think the players bear the largest responsibility for results. We also need to improve the structure of development-we want a big team, but we don’t have things organized at the lowest levels to really improve that. We’ve neglected that in Mexico. For the immediate situation, though, the players need to come together to make sure qualificiation happens, because it won’t be easy.”

DYNAMO YOUTH TO GUADALAJARA

Under 18 and under 16 Dynamo Academy teams are headed to Guadalajara next weekend to play matches and soak up the Mexican soccer culture.
Dynamo youth director James Clarkson and his squads will play two games while in Mexico and also go to the ATLAS VS. ATLANTE match.

The Blue Chip soccer tournament put on by Texas Soccer Club is ongoing this weekend with college coaches in to check out area youth clubs.

What does your soccer weekend entail?