At long last, my reactions to a 1-1 'loss'

The first round is only a few games from being completed and I have yet to write a single word about it. Not Mexico, not the U.S., not Germany, no one. This stems from my deep disappointment with Mexico in the opening match against South Africa. They shit the bad. Pardon my French but that is the best way to describe it. They came out fast and furious, nearly scoring in the second minute, then after 20 minutes of completely possessing the game, they wilted. Sure, they had a much better first half than South Africa, but that was not the same team that beat Italy and almost ripped South Africa a new one. This was the old Mexico, the one that gets tense in close encounters and forgets how to play. It was disappointing to say the least. It was disheartening.

It only got worse when Tshabalala broke past the back line and lazered in the best goal of the tournament thus far. Just imagine, the last goal scored on Mexico was Maxi's miracle, now this? Kill me now. You want to know the worst part, I didn't watch the game live. I angered the Mexican soccer Gods and they punished me for it. Instead of watching the game I have been dreaming about for four years, I went to the Blackhawks parade. I'd do it again too. Had I watched the game live, I might have passed out. Seriously, I would have turned off the TV, that's how much confidence I have in this team. So in the end, I am expecting the worst from my green men, and praying for the best. I've been let down too many times. It's sad to say, but Mexico's weak showing has dampened the whole competition for me. Bummer.

Here are three thoughts from the disappointing point gained against the host nation:

1) Franco must sit. He had three point blank chances and didn't convert. He had his shot and proved what most knew all along, he's not a big game player. He's done at West-Ham and will probably move to a European Minnow or Mexican team for next season. He makes good runs so he is not completely useless, but his finishing is subpar, to say the least. Thanks for your time Guille, but your moment has passed.

2) Chicharito has to start. I find it funny that coach Javier Aguirre trusted an aging striker with little future over the crown-jewel of Mexican soccer. There is a reason Manchester United signed Chicharito and it's not because he sits on the bench well. He puts balls in the back of the net. Period. He isn't tested, he is not a veteran, and he has yet to prove anything at the World Cup, but that doesn't matter. He needs the chance to prove himself. Give him the start Aguirre, or all the players will be watching the rest of the tournament from their behinds.

3.) Dos Santos is the best player we got. Chicharito may be the future, but Gio Dos Santos is the now. I know they are the same age, but Dos Santos proved he brings the most to the table of anyone on the field. His dashing runs and tremendous skill saw him terrorize the South African back line. Had his shot in the opening minutes not been deflected away from goal, Dos Santos would be the name you would be hearing the most. He is special, and hopefully he can keep playing at that level the rest of the World Cup.

Only in Mexico...

I hate it when people call Mexico a third-world country. Having lived there for a good portion of my life and having gone back for a few weeks every year, I can tell you, that is far from true. I mean, we have ESPN and wi-fi at my grandma's house. That alone should disqualify my home country from third-world status. Nevertheless, there are some things that go on in the land of the Aztecs, that only a backwards country could experience. Take the most recent scandal from the telenovela that is the Mexican National Team.

Jonathan Dos Santos, 20, is a promising prospect at Barcelona. He has yet to become a fixture with the first team at Barcelona but coach Pep Guardiola speaks highly of this up-and-comer. His potential garnered him an invitation to the Mexican National Team camp. Coming off an injury, he was unable to play much during the camp or the games played in that time-frame. Nevertheless, he survived the initial roster cut and was one of the last 24 standing. With almost no experience at any level, he was a surprising pick over some veteran players.

On Sunday, Jonathan was cut. While a crushing blow, this is a fairly common occurrence seeing as every other national team in the World Cup had to cut its roster to 23. But, being Mexico, this couldn't go over that easily. That same day, Jonathan's father, Mexican-Brazilian and ex-soccer star Zizinho came out guns blazing and announced "Jona" would never lace up a pair for Mexico ever again.

It happened with Chucho. Now, Aguirre. My child will never put on Mexico’s shirt again. For me, it’s garbage. I respect Giovani, who’s with the team. Jona should put on Brazil or Spains shirts, there they will appreciate him. My sentiments toward the Mexican national team flipped completely but not because I’m the father, not because of that, but simply because you can’t do things like that to the future of Mexican football.

Oh yea this plot only gets thicker. Let's not forget that Jonathan is also the younger brother of another up-and-comer, Giovani Dos Santos, an ex-Barcelona prospect and current fixture on El Tri. Gio is said to be so distraught by the news that his brother was cut, that he wants to quit the team. According to his father Zizinho, Gio called his father crying and said he didn't want to play in the World Cup.

For those that tuned in late, let's recap. Unexperienced young player gets chance to prove himself, gets hurt, doesn't play much, gets cut, dad goes bonkers, other unexperienced young player and brother of first unexperienced young player is sad, doesn't want to play in world's most important tournament, other players console him, to be continued.

First off, let me grab a cloth to shove in my mouth as I scream profanities at the top of my lungs (I am at work and I'm sure my boss wouldn't like me swearing for a minute straight). There are so many things wrong with this picture, I don't know where to begin.

Look, I get it that Zizinho is bummed his son didn't make the team. If that was my kid I'd be pissed too. Still, I would have to be on one high horse to declare that he would never play for that team again. THIS IS THE BIG LEAGUES. Sorry for the all-caps but it was definitely necessary. This is not some tee-ball league where every child has to play an inning. It's life. All over the world there are players being cut and I don't see any other dad's taking the ball and going home. It's one thing to stand up for your son, it's quite another to throw a temper tantrum in his name. He has to grow up on his own. He is my age for pete's sake. He is a star in the making. He will have plenty of opportunities to make it to the Big Dance again. All his dad is doing is making his son look petty and immature. Way to go Zizinho.

About Jona, why hasn't he spoken. He is young but he is not a kid. I am a little younger than he is, but I still wouldn't rely on my daddy to speak to the press for me. I know he is probably too upset to express himself right now, but he should have the courage to release a statement saying he is bummed and will speak for himself. He could at least call his dad and be like "Hey, dad, thanks for sticking up for me, but you don't have to make me look like a spoiled brat." He is 20 so that gives him a realistic shot at three more World Cups, maybe four. That's about three or four more than I will ever go to. I would give my left arm to play professional soccer and I would give my other remaining arm to play for my home country, let alone be a rising star in upcoming World Cups. There are 30 million young Mexicans who would do the same. It makes Jona look real selfish. I'm not saying that he is, only that his father is making him look that way. He has to step up, grow up, and speak up. If he really doesn't want to play for Mexico, good luck cracking a starting spot in Spain or Brazil. I think he will find it's not that easy.

Then there is Gio. I have jersey with his name on the back. He is my second favorite player in the world. I really really like the dude. BUT, he too has to grow up. He has a job to do and is being paid very handsomely to do it. To give it all up like that because of what he feels is an injustice to his brother seems petty to me. He can use it as motivation if he has to. All I know is that if he really quits on Mexico 10 days before the biggest game of his life, he will be done with El Tri forever. He could have Maradona's skills for all I care and I would still shun him. You don't quit on your team and you don't quit on your country. Not to mention that he is cap-tied to Mexico so he could not play for any other country. He would be risking ending his entire international career at the tender age of 21.

I love my brother with my whole heart as well, but this is petty. Jona is not being tortured or killed, just cut from a team. To the Dos Santos family: take a breath, clear your heads, and grow the heck up. You are not the end all, be all. Mexico was there before you and will be there after you. You can choose to be loved or vilified for decades to come. It's not just about soccer, this is about life.

When you get knocked down, stand up and dust yourself off. Just ask Mr. Jordan.

Players to know part I: A who's who of the Mexican talent

1) Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez: This 21-year-old has risen quicker than a horny teenager's member at the Playboy mansion. Two years ago, he was playing local talent in Texas, contemplating whether to call it a career. A year ago he was a reserve member of Chivas de Guadalajara, trying to scratch his way onto the main squad. Now, he is a member of Manchester United (becoming the first Mexican who will ever play at the storied club), a scoring champion in Mexico (even though he missed 6 games), and Mexico's next great hope. "Chicharito" (Spanish for little pea) little scored four goals in his first four national team call-ups and has all but locked-up the starting spot against South Africa on June 11th. He is a skilled scorer with either foot, but more impressively, is a tremendous finisher with his head. Standing at only 5-foot-10, this little pea has hops like no other. Look for him to make many Man U supporters salivate at his skills this summer.

2) Giovanni Dos Santos: After yet another failed stint in England, this time at Tottenham, this 21-year-old seems to have found his groove in Turkey. Loaned out to Galatasaray in January, Dos Santos finally found playing time and made the most of it. He goes into South Africa as a lock to start at the right mid spot, having dominated at that position in qualifying. His speed and ball control have made him the target of important clubs like Barcelona and Tottenham since he was 17, when he won the Under-17 World Cup with Mexico. For "El Tri," he will be the main counter-attacker, turning a ball lost in Mexico's sector, into a fast-break on the other end. His left footed shot is a rocket, although not one with the greatest aim. Dos Santos won't be the focus of the offense, but without his input, the offense will be stagnant.

3) Cuauhtemoc Blanco: He's old. He's fat. He has a hunchback. He can't run. He doesn't play defense. He's temperamental. Basically, he has no business being a soccer player, let alone a World Cup starter. Yet, beyond any explanation, he continues to be one of Mexico's top players. Blanco has a field vision to rival that of any player in the world. Although his physical qualities may be non-existant, his technical qualities are off the charts. He's the Steve Nash of soccer, able to put place a pass with pin-point accuracy. Commentators in Mexico are still in disbelief at Mexico's reliance on Blanco, but the truth is that he is irreplaceable. There is no one in Mexico who can create as many quality scoring opportunities as him. Don't believe me, just ask the Chicago Fire. He doesn't have the stamina to finish all 90 minutes, but the 60 or so minutes he will be out there, he will wreak havoc for the opponent's defense.

4) Guillermo "Memo" Ochoa: A backup on Mexico's squad in 2006, this was supposed to be his year. That is until he forgot how to stop shots. The Club America standout no longer has a chokehold on the keeper position. In fact, he might be the one in a chokehold. A sub par season with his club, in addition to a shaky performance against North Korea in a friendly where he gave up an easy goal, have put Memo in limbo. He is now fighting it out with Luis Ernesto Michel of Chivas and 37-year-old Conejo Perez for the coveted spots. It's anyone's guess who head coach Javier Aguirre will pick. There is no denying Ochoa is the most gifted of the three, but his cold spell could not have come at a worse time.

5) Andres Guardado- Lost in the shuffle of promising young players like Dos Santos and Carlos Vela is 23-year-old Andres Guardado. This Club Atlas product has been a starter in Spain at Deportivo La Coruna for the past two years. This skilled lefty has already proven his mettle in one of the top leagues in the world, yet still doesn't get the acclaim of other less established players. Guardado has blazing speed and will constantly be attacking on the left side. With his skill when it comes to controlling the ball, Guardado a lot of the offense will start through him. He may not make a dent towards the Golden Boot, but without him, Mexico has no shot at taking down the big boys.