Questions! Answers!
If you haven’t had a chance to check out this week’s video preview, you can watch it here. If you’ve already done that, let’s get this #AskCesar started!
My question is: why is #AskCesar is postponed for tomorrow? The people have a right to know. 😉
— Steve Clare (@Steve__Clare) June 2, 2017
It all started somewhere in Oklahoma City. I was lost and couldn’t find my favorite bbq spot. How could a Hernandez visit Oklahoma without getting some bbq from Ol’ Fat Boy’s Pork Palace? I finally found the place, but was then abducted by some aliens. They took me aboard their spacecraft, which was clearly a lease, and questioned me about 2 Tone ska music. “Naw man, I only listen to Streetlight Manifesto, I’m too young to know about 2 Tone,” I replied.
Okay that didn’t happen. I just had a chaotic schedule on Friday and then decided to postpone the video/article for today! Although I do appear quite tired in that video that I recorded immediately after I woke up.
Does Piojo have nothing to win and everything to lose in his return to America? #AskCesar
— Jorge Mendoza (@JorgeMendoza) June 2, 2017
He’s got plenty to win! Expectations will most definitely be high for America, but you get the sense that this return is going to work for both parties involved. Keep an eye on the transfer window as well, if he can get a rumored name like Guido Rodriguez in the roster, that would be one of the signings of the summer.
Favorite Mexico soccer national team from 1998-2017 #AskCesar
— Bonez (@Bad2thebonezz) June 3, 2017
Easy answer here is the 1998 World Cup squad, for a few reasons. That 98 World Cup was the first one that I really remember watching. I was too young to absorb much from the 1990 or 1994 tournaments, so watching Mexico play in the 98 one was something that I will never forget. You also not only had legendary players in the team — like Luis Hernandez, Blanco, Ramon Ramirez and Campos — but also the greatest jersey that El Tri has ever played with.
should JC be planning this upcoming Gold Cup with the Olympics in mind?
— Oscar Esparza (@wskycrzy) June 3, 2017
To be honest, I don’t think JCO has the Olympics on the mind. I know he is a very organized and methodical leader, but the next Olympics are still too far into the future. If anything, several of those young names in the Gold Cup will be fighting for more relevance in the national team before the next World Cup.
the importance of this summer for JCO & your 2 or 3 (underrated/unexpected) players to have good tournaments..
— ? (@ramsdenaaron) June 3, 2017
Like any other Mexican national team coach, immediate results will be expected of JCO and any small slump or dip in form might be enough to be sacked. With two tournaments ahead, the manager has the unenviable task of weaving his way through countless matches without losing momentum. It’s going to be tough, but JCO probably recognizes that.
As for the underrated or unexpected, I’ll go with Luis Reyes in the Confed Cup and Jesus Gallardo in the Gold Cup. That is, assuming that Gallardo is one of the players dropped by JCO before the Confed Cup.
with Atlas moving home games to Fridays, what changes would you make to TV schedule (aside from not having ≥4 games @ 8 pm ET)
— Alex Dusza (@AlexDusza) June 3, 2017
I know it would make things difficult for CCL, Copa MX and potentially Copa Lib scheduling, but I would love to see a Monday night game. In my dream world, this is what the schedule would usually look like.
# of games per day.
Fri = 2
Sat = 4
Sun = 2
Mon = 1
Who deserves to be in goal for Mexico, Ochoa,Talavera, or Corona, and why?
— Raymond Gonzalez (@gonzalezraymond) June 2, 2017
Despite Granada’s awful season, Ochoa has at times been brilliant in Spain over the past several months. With that experience, against some of the best players in the world, I would give Ochoa the starting spot. However, you never with JCO. He might go back-and-forth between Ochoa, Talavera and Cota during the next few weeks.
Growing up what game did you like better, Legend of Zelda or Super Mario 64?
— Mariano Villa (@marianovillajr) June 2, 2017
Super Mario 64! I remember when that game and the N64 system first came out. The graphics were mind-blowing to me haha. I wasted countless days of my life trying to collect those dumb stars.
thoughts on the new rule in Liga MX requiring all newly promoted sides to have stadiums with 20K+ seats in order to be promoted?
— ZacharÃas Eduardo (@fronterizafut) June 2, 2017
I haven’t been reading up on that enough, but heard about that recently. At the moment, it’s incredibly difficult to get promoted. You either win two tournaments in a row, or win one and then win the promotion playoff game. It’s brutal, so why add another potential roadblock for teams? I’ll definitely have to look into that news more.
Is Osorio's job at risk if he wins the qualifiers but loses all matches at Confederations Cup? What about the reverse?
— Jiminy (@Voice_of_Jiminy) June 2, 2017
I think that all depends on the Gold Cup as well. If the FMF was to drop him, it would probably be best to do so after the Gold Cup. If either of those those scenarios happened, and he struggles in the Gold Cup, I wouldn’t be surprised if they fired him. Would that be the right decision? That’s arguable, but I would ideally like to see him make a run toward the World Cup.
With 3 players cut already. Which other 6 players will get cut before the WCQ's? To get it down to 23 #AskCesar
— Gio Duarte ?? (@Gio_Duarte16) June 2, 2017
For better or worse, I believe that Gallardo, Pineda and Burrito Hernandez will be cut. The next three after that? That’s a tough decision. Due to the wealth of wingers, I say that Damm is dropped. After that, I say it’s going to be Oribe and then Dueñas or Araujo (due to either Dueñas’ personal situation or Araujo’s injury).
Why do most people in mexican football have corny nicknames?
— Maestro Barragan (@Boywhogoeswest) June 3, 2017
I think that extends to all Mexicans. Everyone in my family has some sort of weird, crazy and/or creative nickname. I was either flaco or Cesarin cara de calcetin haha. Need to find a Latinx linguist who can help us out here with finding the origins of our love of nicknames.
Do you think the USA team is improving now that they have a new coach? And what are your predictions for USA/Mex?
— Nayeli Rodriguez (@NayeliRlovely) June 2, 2017
Let’s see how they do today, but there does appear to be some gradual progress under Bruce Arena. You can’t ignore that incredible 6-0 win over Honduras last month either. I don’t think Bruce is a long-term solution, but he is a decent managerial option to carry the team through qualifying.
As for next week, I’m thinking this is going to be a narrow win for Mexico or a 0-0 draw. I’ll go with a 1-0 victory for El Tri after a late goal from Vela.
Do you think Osorio will ever bench HH? or will HH be Osorios ride or die? (Like Javier Aguirre with Guillermo Franco) #AskCesar
— Even (@2Even) June 2, 2017
Even though he seems to trust Herrera, Osorio’s inevitable rotations will eventually bench the Porto midfielder. I mentioned this in the video, but I wouldn’t be surprised if HH loses his starting role during the Confederations Cup. Mexico has far too many options in the midfield that could take over his place in the roster.
Can El Tri do something to bulk up physically? They get pushed off the ball by the larger Germans, Brazilians, Argentinians, and Dutchmen.
— PlayaLargaCule (@FCBarxelona1899) June 2, 2017
I’m no nutritionist or trainer, but I feel like bulking up might sacrifice some of that speed that makes our attack so exciting. Also, I do think that some names like Araujo, Molina, Moreno and Salcedo are quite strong and can hold their own against more physical teams.
What's your favorite non-LigaMX focused podcast? ?
— Jack Kelly (@ActualJackKelly) June 2, 2017
Somebody is looking for some free promotion! Haha. Love what you guys do over at Point To The Spot!
*Cesar looks around and whispers* actually my favorite non-Liga MX focused podcast is The Football Ramble.
Will there be time for a possible 2v2 game between the FMN during the trip to San Diego? And who would you choose as your teammate?
— Amelia Lopez (@AztecaAmeliaaa) June 2, 2017
Yes, yes, yes, yes. We got this Amy. #TeamBrokenSpanish is going to dominate the FMN 2v2 tournament.
Warriors or Cavs?
— Fernando Monteon (@fernando_monteo) June 2, 2017
Warriors, right? If Game 1 was any sign of some weakness for Cavs, that should have been it.
Who is @cesarhfutbol??? and why don't you have your own Wikipedia page???
— Ivan Pineda (@IvanPineda83) June 2, 2017
@cesarhfutbol is a proud Mexican-American who somehow stumbled into soccer writing. Once an aspiring social worker, Hernandez now spends his time watching/arguing about soccer and hanging out with his cat, DJ Cuddles. Hernandez continues to use a childish Simpsons wallet and he’s still not sure if it’s embarrassing or not.
Also, I don’t deserve my own wikipedia page haha. Maybe one day…
#askcesar give me the starters for qualifiers and confess…??
— JoGo (@TshirtTec) June 2, 2017
With JCO, that’s going to be impossible to predict! I have my ideal starting XI, which I outlined in the video preview, but who knows what Osorio will do for any of the upcoming matches. One thing is for sure, though, he will continue to use his rotations.
Why did horible peralta get called to mexico?
— 2kobs (@MACK_JRA9) June 2, 2017
He still serves a purpose, for now. I highly doubt he will get minutes, and wouldn’t be surprised if he isn’t brought to the Confederations Cup, but he’s a decent and strong striker that is a fantastic Liga MX player.
Are there going to be any Mex players playing on both conferederation cup and gold cup or will it be two entirely different teams?
— Nayeli Rodriguez (@NayeliRlovely) June 3, 2017
I don’t think so, it could happen, but all signs point to two entirely different rosters for the Confed Cup and the Gold Cup.
Porto is known as "Por-Tri" because of all of the Mexican players there. What will Rangers nickname be with Gullit and Lalo? #AskCesar
— Eugene Rupinski (@GolazodelGringo) June 3, 2017
Mexgers? RangTri? Man, both of those are awful. I need someone to help me out here with a much better name.