A floundering Chivas season is reason to celebrate for many of the team's detractors. Although Chivas, which currently sits at the absolute bottom of the FMF first division table, is certainly Mexico's most popular team, it isn't lacking in critics. Think of it as Mexico's version of the Yankees, beloved by many, but hated by just as many too.
Yet what should worry all Mexican fans, Chivas-friendly or not, is that the team is also the top producer of young talent in the country and has become a feeder system for Mexico's various national teams. When Chivas struggles, and in turn Guadalajara's young players struggle, it's a drag on all of FMF.
A list of some of the Chivas players who have been part of Mexico's national team at various levels in the past year include: Javier Rodriguez, Luis Michel, Liborio Sanchez, Julio Nava, Kristian Alvarez, Erick Torres, Giovani Casillas, Carlos Fierro, Ulises Davila, Javier Hernandez, Carlos Vela, Carlos Salcido, Marco Fabian, Omar Arrellano, Miguel Angel Ponce, Jorge Enriquez, Johnny Magallon. It's a veritable list of Mexico's top international stars.
But while Chivas boast the best collection of young players in Mexico, sometimes they can't help but get in their own way, and in doing so, they threaten to stunt the development of the future stars of the Mexican national team.
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
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El Tri: The Mexican National Team blog
Have you ever worn an Aztec headdress to a stadium? Have you ever put on a lucha libre mask to watch a soccer game on your couch? Have you ever worn your Mexico jersey to a special occasion and tried to pass it off as formal wear? Then you've come to the right place. Insider's El Tri blog will be your English language authority on the Mexican national team. The first blog of its kind, El Tri will provide regular up to date reports on the Mexican national teams of all levels, whether it's Chicharito, or the next superstar on one of the youth teams. We'll provide exclusive game reports, player features and analysis.
Jorge Arangure Jr.
Jorge Arangure Jr. is a senior writer for ESPN The Magazine. He was born in Tijuana, Mexico, and grew up in San Ysidro, Calif. Jorge joined ESPN in May 2007 after spending three years as a baseball writer for The Washington Post. Previously, he covered baseball for The Bergen Record, in Hackensack, N.J. Aranguré has a B.A. in history from the University of Southern California and a M.A. in journalism from Syracuse University.Brent Latham
Brent Latham is a soccer commentator who covers the Mexican and United States youth national teams for ESPN.com. He has attended youth World Cups from Peru to Egypt, and places in between. Based in Guatemala, he also hosts a television show and writes for national daily La Prensa Libre.Contact us with comments or tips at jorge.arangure@espn.com or follow us on twitter @ESPNTri
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