After an unforgettable World Cup and loss to England in the last 16, the transfer of power in the Mexican national team has begun. Rafa Marquez will lead the trio for the first time against Colombia in Baltimore, while Javier Aguirre prepares to save Valencia from relegation in Spain. Aguirre may be away from the national team, but his influence remains as he stabilized the situation for a team that was significantly behind the United States in CONCACAF.
Even at the World Cup, Mexico, which has failed to reach the knockout rounds since the 2018 World Cup in Russia, has done well and if they had not met England in the last 16, who knows how far Aguirre’s team would have gone. In this World Cup, the host nation isn’t quite where they want to be, but Mexico can be very vigilant about how they qualify. Considering the trio are the reigning Gold Cup and CONCACAF Nations League champions, they went into the World Cup with high expectations and showed why once they got there, as Julian Quinones did at the Estadio Azteca.
How to watch Mexico vs Colombia odds
date: Saturday 26th September | time: 9 p.m. ET
Place: M&T Bank Stadium—Baltimore, MD
live streaming: Fubo TV (Free trial)
Odds: Mexico +154; Lottery +240; Colombia +155
All of this suggests that Marquez has some expectations to live up to, and even though Colombia may now be without James Rodriguez (which brings its own transition), Mexico will win the game. After a spell leading Barcelona’s youth academy, Marquez has the chance to leave his mark on the national team for which he is centrally involved, while solidifying the national team’s defense throughout his career.
He has opened the door to everyone, with Hirving Lozano and German Beltrame returning to the national team, and despite their poor form in MLS, this could be the start of young players joining 17-year-old Gilberto Moura in making strides with the national team. Mora has contributed five goals and one assist in seven games for the Tijuana club since the World Cup. Armando Gonzalez wanted to join him.
After joining Olympiakos in Greece, Gonzalez is arguably the most talented striker in the national team since Chicharito Jr., but he has yet to show that he is ready to replace Raul Jimenez to lead the front line, as the Wolves man is still the leader at 35 years old. Gonzalez has only scored one goal for his country, while Santiago Jimenez is now also finding his feet in Porto. With an extended three-week training camp, Marquez will have time to work with his players, which is a great way to start a new term. The pressure is there, but it will be exciting to see how the trio perform as they get back on track.