Mexico head coach Miguel Herrera will no doubt be encouraged in general by what he observed in Mexico's 1-0 friendly victory over Ecuador in Los Angeles, but there are some elements that will remind him there is still much for the team to improve.
With two tournaments coming up that require different rosters in short order, though, Herrera has some tough choices to make. Others should be easier. Here are three things to take away from the Ecuador game.
1. Maybe the bench is fine for Chicharito after all
Conventional soccer wisdom says a player is best served by keeping in top form via regular starts in the toughest league in which he is able to join. Yet Javier Hernandez, at only 26, is closing in on becoming Mexico's all-time leading goal scorer, even though his playing time at Real Madrid is sparse. His goal against Ecuador was a beauty, struck with verve and confidence. It wasn't a poacher's rebound goal at all, but a striker's dagger off the post and in, giving Ecuador goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez no chance at all. Hernandez nearly added another goal in the second half, but his header attempt came off the crossbar in the 81st minute. He was then subbed out in second-half stoppage time to thunderous applause.
Though Herrera has encouraged Hernandez to find more playing time elsewhere, he now seems resigned to his striker's current club situation. As he pointed out in the news conference before the Ecuador match, Hernandez faces some of the best players in the world on a daily training basis, which helps keep him in decent form. No, it's not regular game competition, but the truth is that being spared playing time has likely helped Hernandez avoid injuries from tough tackles. He's also not exhausted from Real's busy match schedule, and is rested and ready to go for international action. For Mexico, that's not such a bad thing.
2. Who is No. 1?
Jesus Corona wears the No. 1 shirt for Mexico, and against Ecuador, the Cruz Azul goalkeeper acted like he owned it. His numerous saves, including a penalty stop on Miler Bolanos, were of impressive quality. Many goalkeepers over-anticipate a penalty attempt, but Corona waited just the ideal amount of time, then dived to his right to parry the shot. It was hardly surprising Corona was named Man of the Match.
It's a plus for Herrera that he has a bit of a selection headache when it comes to his goalkeepers. Though many believe Corona has indeed passed up Guillermo Ochoa and will get the nod for the vital Gold Cup tournament, getting the Copa America gig wouldn't be a bad consolation prize for Corona. In fact, an impressive showing there could even result in a European club offer for the veteran netminder.
3. Defensive holes and weaknesses still trouble El Tri
Corona could not have looked so magnificent without his defense failing him early and often throughout the game. Mexico needed all five defenders in their formation, and even more at times to hold on against Ecuador's host of chances. While Hernandez as a striker may be able to get away with limited game time, Diego Reyes' skills as a defender have eroded with his extended time away from the starting lineup at Porto.
Herrera may be able to stave off defensive destruction on the back line if Rafael Marquez does indeed return from his injury and is able to maintain his age-defying captaincy abilities. Until that happens, Hector Herrera in the midfield is in some ways Mexico's best defender, given how his control of the ball is what settles down play and puts out the fires created by the defenders' shaky play.
There is no doubt Mexico has the talent to field two respectable squads for the Gold Cup and Copa America, but careful selections will have to be made in order for the different rosters to be most effective.