Soccer News & Schedule: Mexican National Team Prepares for Huge 2015 With Copa America, Gold Cup & FIFA World Cup Ahead
Soccer is without a doubt the most popular sport in the Latin American country of Mexico, and the Mexican National Team has been competing at the biggest soccer tournament in the world, the FIFA World Cup, since its opening 1930.
Year in and year out Mexico participates in the most notable soccer events. The Mexican soccer team ranks No. 21 in the world.
Mexican soccer fans have a full schedule ahead of them this year.
Despite being a North American based country, Mexico has competed at the Copa America since 1993. The Copa America is the biggest South American-based soccer tournament, which is held once every two to four years. Mexico has never been able to win this event, but they did reach the finals in 1993 and 2001, losing to Argentina and Colombia. This year's Copa America will be held in Chile beginning on June 11.
It won't be easy for Real Madrid star Javier Hernández, who leads this squad. Mexico has been placed in Group A with Ecuador, Bolivia and the host nation, Chile. That's not exactly the "Group of Death," but that still brings a tough task for Mexico. Only once has Mexico failed to make it out of the group stage at the Copa America, which came in 2011.
Just three days after the Copa America ends, the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup will be starting up. Mexico has owned the Gold Cup, winning a record six championships. The intercontinental rivalry between the United States and Mexico couldn't be better. The United States and Mexico have faced off in the finals an amazing four times, which, yes, Mexico has won all four times.
On the positive side, Mexico will be very battle tested for the Gold Cup after having played multiple South American nations at the Copa America. Because, let's be honest, South America has better soccer teams than North America does. Starting goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa will definitely be prepared. On the negative end, Mexico may be a bit exhausted. Final draws and schedules have not yet been completed for the Gold Cup, but we do know that Mexico will be competing in Group C. Mexico's first game will be played on July 9 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois.
Costa Rica is the top-ranked team playing in this year's Gold Cup. They have been placed in Group B.
Manager Leonardo Cuéllar has the Mexican Women in their second consecutive FIFA World Cup for the first time ever. Mexico will be competing in Group F with Colombia, France and England. Their first match begins on June 9 against Colombia. As with the men, the top two teams from each group will advance to play in the 16-team knockout round. The Mexican women will not be very from home, as the 2015 FIFA World Cup will be played throughout Canada. Mexico is ranked No. 25 in the world among female national teams.
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