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Mexico downs Chile to hand Martino first victory as head coach

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Tata Martino earned his first victory as Mexican National Team head coach on Friday night.

The former Atlanta United boss saw his side roll past Conmebol opponents Chile 3-1 at Qualcomm Stadium, using a trio of goals separated by 13 minutes.

Wolverhampton Wanderers in-form striker Raul Jimenez scored the first goal in the Martino-era, slotting home from the penalty spot in the 52nd minute. Jimenez waited for Chilean goalkeeper Gabriel Arias to dive to his left before slotting into the bottom-left corner.

El Tri would double their advantage in the 64th minute with Hector Moreno rising high to head Andres Guardado’s corner past Arias for a 2-0 lead.

Things would continue to roll for Mexico just a minute later as Hirving Lozano chipped Arias to add to the advantage in San Diego. The goal by the PSV man was the pick of the litter as El Tri would ice the performance.

Nicolas Castillo pulled a goal back for Chile later in the half but it would end up being a mere consolation in the final score.

Guillermo Ochoa finished with two saves in what proved to be a strong debut for El Tri under Martino.

Mexico closes out the international break on March 26th as they face Paraguay in Santa Clara.

Comments

  1. Wow, TATA again showed his coaching ability and how his players just seem to play and go all out for him
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35N1-szsClc

    MEXICO – 4-3-2-1
    CHILE 4-1-3-2

    MEXICO————————–——–CHILE
    ——————–—Overall————–——
    42%——————————————-58%
    ??——————–Summary—————??
    8———————–Shots——————11
    3—————–shots on Target————3
    4——-———-—–Corners—————–4
    78%—–——-Passing Accuracy——–82%

    We better be ready for a fast paced game with Chile……not to mention facing a team that does not want to lose two games in a row. With Adams gone and McKennie hurt, no Nagbe, to put it simply, we are in trouble.
    Goalkeepers
    Arias (Argentine club Racing Club de Avellaneda)

    Defenders
    Medel – (Turkish club Beşiktaş), Isla – (Turkish Süper Lig club Fenerbahçe), Mena – (Argentinian club Racing Club), Maripan – (Spanish club Deportivo Alavés)

    Midfielders
    Vidal – (Spanish club Barcelona), Aranguiz – (German club Bayer Leverkusen), Hernandez – (Argentinian club Independiente), Pulgar – (Italian Serie A side Bologna)

    Forwards
    Castillo (Mexico – club América), Morales (Primera División de Chile – Colo-Colo)

    We are in for a huge “Test”

    Reply
      • Joey,
        hahahahaha, you are right in regards to intensity but at least one of the two “walkers” has skill, ball control and talent….while the other, well you know the rest

    • The first half was very even. I don’t think the score is indicative of the quality of the two sides. After the first Mexico goal Chile got caught out while on attack and that was pretty much responsible for the next 2 goals. Chile is no Ecuador, for sure. The quality of the play on both sides was quite impressive and the US will have trouble with both of these teams. Chile will not be sitting back, but will take the game to us and I doubt we will have more possession.

      Reply
      • Remember a couple months ago when you scolded me for being too negative when you were talking about how our current pool of players is as good as it ever has been. You didn’t get the coach you wanted and now you’re Mr. Doom and Gloom.

      • Johnnyrazor…..like how is saying we better be ready for Chile’s pace and attack or complementing Tata Martino or saying we lost two of our bet players being doom and gloom??? During the USMNT game didn’t you see me post ‘WE LOOK GOOD”??? Lol, you seem to hear exactly what you want to hear

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