With the highly-anticipated upcoming game between Mexico and the U.S., we decided to go to futbol blogger Bernardo Fallas for some insight on the match and a few other topics. Fallas is a writer for the Houston Chronicle and his city is hosting the game at Reliant today.
The following is a Q&A with Bernardo Fallas.
1. First question on the big buzz here and south of the border: what do you expect from the highly-anticipated match between Mexico and the U.S.?
I expect a great match as two of the region’s best teams go head-to-head. The U.S. will look to stretch a 8-0-1 home record against El Tri; Mexico will try to end the eight-year winless streak. It will be exciting soccer. Most importantly, I expect an electric atmosphere at Reliant Stadium with 70,000 on their feet for 90 minutes trading chants of Mexico, Mexico! And USA, USA!
2. And on a similar note, I wanted to get your thoughts on the proposed new stadium for the Houston Dynamo and whether these type of venues prove successful for the city, the team and fans. What is your take on similar stadiums built at other MLS cities?
A soccer stadium for the Dynamo can only benefit the sport and accelerate its growth in the Houston area. It’s no secret MLS teams need to control the venue they play in order to be profitable and, as a result, successful.
However, I share in the opinion that the city of Houston has to be responsible with taxpayer dollars. I don’t know that many Houstonians want another stadium built with public funds. Teams with similar stadiums around the league have had success in finding new revenue streams, but that hasn’t always translated into more fans in the stands.
3. Keeping with the MLS questioning, what are your thoughts on the new batch of former Mexican league players as opposed to previous Mexican stars that have made their way here?
Mexican players in MLS still account for a very small percentage. We had hoped that with Chivas USA, younger players would come to MLS and flourish, but for the most part we still see Mexican players waiting until they are 30 or older to consider MLS. I don’t see a major difference between the batches. Big names have always come, when they are older. We are seeing an increasing number of young South Americans coming to MLS, though, and I think that can only help the league.
4. On March 26 El Salvador is hosting a home-game World Cup qualifier in Washington D.C. against Anguila. What’s your take on this first-ever game played outside of the actual home country?
I don’t think it’s the first time it happens. Small Caribbean islands often have this problem of not having their stadiums meet criteria. So they play their ’home’ game in Miami, Texas or even at the opponent’s home. What’s interesting, and telling, is that Anguila was willing to play such a game in D.C., where El Salvador will enjoy tremendous support. Teams take a cut of the ticket receipts, so money is likely the reason.
5. I was recently in Dallas while one of the Nation’s Cup games was being played, and what I kept hearing from fellow game-watchers was that ’Africa will become a futbol superpower,’ what’s your take on the region and the recent qualifiers?
Africa has always been a hotbed for soccer talent. The problem with some African teams, and Latin American teams, for that matter, is that they are slow to progress because there is often too much player or coach turnover and financial problems that hinder that progress. People have been saying since the late 80s that an African team will win a World Cup soon. Maybe 2010 will be that time.
6. And my final question, as far as new home-grown talent currently playing in the MLS, who are the players to watch for ’08 and looking to South Africa 2010?
I’ll mention Maurice Edu, Josmer Altidore, Michael Parkhurst, the Dynamo’s Stuart Holden, Justin Mapp and Brad Guzan.
–You can watch the Mexico vs. U.S. match today on Univision or ESPN2, and if you want to stay current with all things futbol we recommend visiting Bernardo’s blog Soccer y Futbol.–
SUBSCRIBE