Ask Cesar

#AskCesar: Soccer books, Pikolin and Liga MX!

Questions! Answers! Mean comments?

It’s time for this week’s #AskCesar for FutMexNation. If you haven’t had a chance to watch our video preview, you can watch it here. For those who have already caught up, let’s get this (question) party started!

I most definitely do! Here’s my top five.

#1 Among the Thugs by Bill Buford
#2 This Love Is Not For Cowards by Robert Andrew Powell
#3 Inverting The Pyramid by Jonathan Wilson
#4 The Ball Is Round by David Goldblatt
#5 The Miracle of Castel di Sangro by Joe McGinniss

Recently, I’ve enjoyed watching Monterrey, Xolos, Chivas and Pumas. I’m biased because I cover all of their games, but I’ll go with Xolos because they score and allow plenty of goals haha.

Worst? That has to be Veracruz. It’s almost depressing watching that team play.

We will all deservedly complain about the new setup, but once a couple of those tournaments pass, we will all sound like old-timers talking about the days when the World Cup was “better.”

As @socccermexicana has mentioned, that six-team playoff could be really fun to watch though.

Lol. Believe it or not, I do support his rotations. I think it provides some competition in the roster and opportunities for younger players. That said, I do understand why some fans were bothered with that last starting XI, even if it proved to help Mexico get a win.

All signs seem to point to him returning to Chivas, but I wouldn’t be surprised if another European team picks him up later on this year. There were rumors in the past that PSV and Ajax were once interested in him. Will he move to the Eredivisie soon?

When I was like six or seven I made fun of my friend who had green pants on. I made a comment about him farting so much that it turned his pants green. He started crying. I felt so bad and still think about it to this day! I was usually a super shy and way too nice kid, not sure why I said that. Albert, if you’re reading this, I’m so sorry man.

Not qualifying for the World Cup would be a much bigger failure than having an abysmal performance at the World Cup.

Pineda and Montes are both ready to make the leap across. Lainez shows plenty of promise, but I think he still needs to spend at least another year or two in Mexico before potentially making a move abroad.

I’m embarrassed by this, but I don’t think I can comfortably include a best XI ever that includes English players. I would probably glance over some greats that have played the game before my time. Let’s give it a try anyways.

GK: Pikolin
DF: Pikolin, Pikolin, Pikolin, Pikolin
MF: Pikolin, Pikolin, Pikolin
FW: Pikolin, Crouch, Pikolin

#1 Rafael Marquez
#2 Andres Guardado
#3 Hector Moreno
#4 Chicharito
#5 Guillermo Ochoa

I like the idea of him as a #10 instead. He could play as a RW, but I would prefer an option like Vela, Tecatito or Damm in that high-pressing spot.

That’s a great question.

I feel like you can make the case for Araujo, who has not only been given minutes under Osorio, but also been able to adapt to his systems. I think the next in line that could mature through this system is someone like Orbelin Pineda, Erick Gutierrez, Rodolfo Pizarro or Jesus Gallardo.

JCO is saying it and Araujo is saying it with his performances on the field. Ask any Santos Laguna fan and they should be able to tell you as well about how good he has been. I’m thinking a good showing at the Confederations Cup might be able to garner some interest.

Naw, but if I don’t cut my hair soon, I might inadvertently have a mullet in just a couple of weeks.

Haha, I wouldn’t recommend betting on something as unpredictable as Liga MX!

Buuuut, if I had to select one surprise, I’m thinking that Toluca will struggle and either draw or lose against Necaxa.

I’m giving JCO and Mexico a 9/10. Little more you could ask from the team, other than perhaps a better performance and win against Panama.

I don’t think it will happen, but that would be fascinating to see how well CONCACAF “giants” like Mexico, the United States or Costa Rica would do in qualifiers against tough CONMEBOL teams.

Whether we like it or not, he probably will. Mexico needs someone else to step up and take over that spot, until then, Rafa will be taking charge.

JCO probably doesn’t see it as stubborn, just a necessity. I like the rotations — to an extent — but am also a bit worried about what will happen this summer. Who knows…

Unfortunately, I have to mention Rafa again. He was so good in the win over Costa Rica and was then severely missed in the narrow victory against Trinidad & Tobago. Really wished that Diego Reyes or Jesus Molina had a better game.

I’m also fully aware that Reyes got the game-winner, but we can’t ignore the fact that he was quite bad in the DM position.

They need to have a strong finish, but I’m hoping to see a club from Juarez once again in the first division.

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