This article (Spanish link) on one of Mexico’s biggest football portals draws attention to the fact that there are now only 10 Mexicans playing in Europe, compared to 11 before the World Cup. A minor difference obviously, and I’d say the gain of a potential superstar like Javier Hernández negates the loss of two or three Ricardo Osorio‘s, but one less player is still one less player.
Really though? There are only ten Mexicans playing in Europe? Of the 43 players Stephen Hart has called for Canada over its last five friendlies, 25 are playing in Europe. And there are plenty, plenty more where those came from. But for the most part the Canadians are playing in lower-ranked European leagues, the second or third divisions of top countries or in youth/reserve squads. Those 10 Mexicans are mostly playing in the first divisions of England, Holland and Spain.*
It seems that even in soccer Canada lives up to its reputation as a hewer of wood and a drawer of water: we export the raw product (young footballers) to Europe for refinement into the finished product. (Or all too often, to languish hopelessly in obscurity.) In contrast, Mexico, Central and South American countries and increasingly the U.S., send fewer, better players developed at home that can step into the top European leagues teams immediately.
So yeah. Just one more illustration of why Canada’s three MLS academies — and really a strong MLS as a whole — will be crucial to player development and by extension, the future of the national team.
* The article makes no claims to be a comprehensive list. There may be hundreds of Mexicans playing in European youth teams and lower divisions, but I strongly suspect that there aren’t. Feel free to point out that I’m wrong.
Grant
Jamie
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