While the United States decided not to have a January camp for the first time in decades, their World Cup co-hosts gathered their domestic talent for training outside the usual FIFA international windows. Mexico scheduled friendly games against Panama and Bolivia, two teams who rely heavily on home-based players, for this week. They have also added a game against Iceland in February.
In addition to the usual Liga MX players who make up the bulk of the national team, Javier Aguirre has added three dual-nationals from the USA to his squad. Midfielder Obed Vargas of the MLS Seattle Sounders made a one-time switch from the USA to Mexico under FIFA last year. He has a decent chance to make the final squad for the World Cup. Two newcomers highlight Aguirre’s selection this time, though.
Both Richard Ledezma and Brian Gutierrez joined Chivas during the winter. Ledezma has had a varied career with stints in MLS and at PSV Eindhoven. While with the Dutch power, he suffered a terrible knee injury during a UEFA Champions League game. He never regained his starting spot at the club after his recovery and moved to MLS with New York City FC but could not establish himself as a regular or as a player superior to other options. He is in the process of filing his one-time switch to Mexico after representing the United States at both youth and senior levels. At 25 years old, he is not better than others of his age range in the US midfield, so he has sought his fortune with Mexico.
Gutierrez is much the same story. Cut from the 2024 US Olympic team, he played out last season with the Chicago Fire and left for Chivas with a reported $5 million transfer fee going to the Fire. He has filed with FIFA for a one-time switch, meaning he doesn’t see a future representing the USA internationally. He’s a creative midfielder with a strong left foot. For Mexico, he will compete with the likes of Club Tijuana’s 17 year old star Gilberto Mora for playing time.
Aguirre will have to use the March international window games against Portugal and Belgium to incorporate the handful of European based players who miss out on these two friendlies. The games against fellow World Cup qualifier Panama and playoff participant Bolivia will give these domestic players an excellent preview of what back-to-back games will be like during the summer. Both opponents are sturdy in defense, if limited going forward. Mexico will be expected to control both games and their rabid supporters will be demanding convincing wins.
Canada has lower expectations than Mexico. Their American coach Jesse Marsch also has fewer resources than Javier Aguirre. Marsch called up a mixed group of MLS players, Canadian Professional League players, and youth players to play a B international against Guatemala. Columbus Crew forward Jacen Russell-Rowe scored the only goal of the game in the second half. Only a handful of the players who appeared for Canada had more than a few caps. The squad was further weakened due to an injury to winger Jacob Shaffelburg.
Marsch and everyone associated with the Canadian team will be hoping for an injury-free spring ahead of the World Cup. Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies is just working his way back from a major knee injury and Juventus striker Jonathan David has struggled for form in Serie A. Both will be vital when Marsch gets his full team together for the March window. Soccer Canada has planned a camp in Toronto with two games with the opponents yet to be announced. The Canadian will host Uzbekistan in Edmonton on June 1 and play a second warm up game on June 5 or 6 against another World Cup participant to wrap up preparations.
Both coaches have seen the benefits of playing friendly games in January, even though they cannot have their top players because of the European club schedule. The USA opted not to play in January this year. Given the lack of availability of Mauricio Pochettino’s preferred squad and the short-term nature of his appointment, the decision made sense. The results of all three decisions will be evident in June.
