Javier Aquino

 
“The mind moves matter” … Virgil, Aeneid

I’m naturally predisposed to dismissing the mental side of the game. The team that ‘wants it more’ doesn’t always win. One team being ‘more ready to play’ is generally a throw-away line to explain the unexplainable. I assume that the majority of professional athletes are always trying their hardest to put out their best effort. The team that wins most often will be the one with the better athletes and the more complete cohesion as a unit.

 
Mr. President, Mr. Chepo, honored guests, and fellow followers of El Tri:

Every week I post a Game of the Week preview at Pancho Villa's Army. Give it a read.

Last night, the Mexican National Team began their play in the final qualifying round (The Hex) for next year's World Cup. They hosted Jamaica at the Estadio Azteca in front of a late arriving crowd. The crowd was not the only group of Mexicans who arrived late to the match. The players came out on to the field and put on a pathetic performance. Jamaica was able to grind out a scoreless draw with nearly as many quality scoring chances as the home team.

 
This week news came out announcing the end of Javier Aquino’s career at Cruz Azul. Aquino was sold to Spanish second division club, Villareal. He and the club agreed to a new contract that will keep him at the club for three plus years. Although Villareal is currently in the second division in Spain, this is still a win for Aquino who could prove himself in Europe within closer view of other European clubs. This is a good move for Aquino and great move for Mexico.

 
Another Cruz Azul season is in the books with all the familiar smells and tastes that their supporters are so accustomed. This season, unlike last, fits like an old shoe. It reeks of age and looks terrible, but it just feels right. Cruz Azul once again managed to go through the season looking consistently solid and occasionally strong. They give off an impression of a team that could challenge for a title, but once the Liguilla comes around they are outclassed and embarrassed.

This torta stand is normally parked near Estadio Azul. It's a bit beat up like the team that plays across the street. Yet after Saturday, everything associated with Cruz Azul has a distinct glow to it.

What's happening: Jornada 15 Results and Table:

Throughout the course of a season the level of play a team exhibits can vary greatly. Swings of momentum can take fans on a rollercoaster of emotions featuring wide-ranging hopes for the season. The fluctuation in the form of individual players can be even more severe. Great players have solid games with the occasional masterful ninety. While the average players have their standard games, but a few times a season break out to have a ‘man of the match’ level performance. When a few players have this stellar performance, it’s usually enough to propel the team to victory.

At the beginning of the season, I had a sneaking suspicion. There was a faint whiff of something foul. I couldn't say for sure that the funk was there, but it was a definite possibility. Now through the tenth match of the season, I could say with confidence ... this Cruz Azul team is deeply flawed and just a bit awful.

An overwhelming disparity exists between the experience of being at a soccer match and that of the home-viewing experience. Some facets of this are fairly obvious. The ability to see more of the field, share in the emotional swings of the people, feel the camaraderie of total strangers, along with the ability to grossly overpay for refreshments are a combination of impossible, exceedingly difficult, or just plain weird to recreate at home.