The good news for Mexico is that the national program is beginning to produce real talent from the youth levels in recent years. However, a less than fortunate group draw might stunt some of that positive growth should El Tricolor fail to progress past the group phase—as they did in 2011 after finishing with two draws (vs. England and New Zealand) and a lopsided loss (4-0) to eventual winners Japan.
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Roster
Goalkeepers: Cecilia Santiago, Pamela Tajonar and Emily Alvarado
Defenders: Kenti Robles, Christina Murillo, Alina Garciamendez, Valeria Miranda, Greta Espinoza, Arianna Romero and Bianca Sierra
Midfielders: Jennifer Ruiz, Nayeli Rangel, Teresa Noyola, Mónica Alvarado, Veronica Perez, Amanda Perez, Maria Sánchez and Fabiola Ibarra
Forwards: Charlyn Corral, Stephany Mayor, Mónica Ocampo, Renae Cuéllar and Ariana Calderon
Coach
One of the longest serving coaches in women’s international football, Leonardo Cuellar has been at the helm since 1998. He has also represented his country at the international level, having been a part of Mexico’s 1978 World Cup squad.
Schedule
June 9: vs. Colombia in Moncton
June 13: vs. England in Moncton
June 17: vs. France in Ottawa
How they qualified
El Tricolor came from a goal down to defeat Trinidad & Tobago 4-2 in extra-time at the 2014 CONCACAF Women’s Championship to earn their place at the big dance.
Team strengths
Unwavering trust between the coach and his players built through 17 years of handwork, but most of all patience from the national program—which seemingly isn’t the same model used in international men’s football. Mexico possesses a decent structure and must play to their main strength to have any success in Canada.
Team weaknesses
For all the team unity, the absence of a true clutch performer is an obvious negative. When the match hangs in the balance, the line between victory and defeat sometimes is settled by quality and a little bit of magic. Unfortunately, Mexico is missing a game-breaker.
Player to watch
Monica Ocampo has amassed over 40 caps for the national team and is a well-travelled veteran at the club level in North America. The 28 year-old forward has played in the USL W-League with FC Indiana, the now defunct WPS (Women’s Professional Soccer) with the Atlanta Beat and currently with Sky Blue FC of the NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League).
Burning question
Can Mexico keep the score line respectable against England and France? That’s just half the battle, and it may not matter should they lose their opening match against Colombia.
Prospects
The draw was very harsh to Mexico, and defeats to sixth ranked England and third ranked France are almost a certainty. Thus the way El Tricolor will qualify out of the group stage—which they failed to do in 2011—will come down to a victory over 28th ranked Colombia in their opening group fixture and a decent goal differential. All they can hope for is to be one of the best third-placed teams in the group stage.
World Cup history
1991 – Did not qualify
1995 – Did not qualify
1999 – Group stage
2003 – Did not qualify
2007 – Did not qualify
2011 – Group stage