Want a reason to look forward to 2016? What about 7 reasons? Let us give you a few presents to look forward to in the upcoming year. We know it’s the night before Christmas and, if you celebrate the holiday, you’ll most likely feel spoiled tomorrow morning as you unwrap presents from your loved ones. That’s unless you’ve been naughty this year and you end up getting coal. Regardless, you’re in luck. We have your back. Especially if you are a fan of the Mexican Men’s National Team. Do you know what is in store for El Tri in 2016? Check out these 7 presents on El Tri’s 2016 wishlist!
1. Chicharito continuing his goalscoring streak into 2016
With World Cup qualifying continuing in 2016 and with an historic Copa America Centenario in the United States this summer, El Tri will hope to have Chicharito firing on all cylinders throughout 2016. He has been an incredible signing for Bayer Leverkusen, having scored 11 goals in 12 appearances so far this season. Not only that, but he is also 5 goals away from becoming El Tri’s all-time top goalscorer. Will he be able to break Jared Borgetti’s record this year? We sure hope so!
Chicharito Navideño! | Christmas Chicharito! pic.twitter.com/pjrK5Vz9
— CH14 Supporters! (@OhChicharito) December 22, 20112. Copa America Centenario: A great performance for all!
For Juan Carlos Osorio and El Tri, it willbe important to give a great performance in the Copa America Centenario. With no other competitions this summer, besides 2018 World Cup Qualifying, 2016 will be defined by how well El Tri represented CONCACAF in the world’s oldest tournament. It’ll be a great regalo (present) for El Tri if they manage to make it as far as the semifinals. With so many El Tri players getting minutes in Europe and with Chicharito leading the line, there is room for optimism that 2016 El Tri will perform well in a tournament that will include some of the best players in the world.
Tickets will go on sale for the public in Feb '16. Sign up for the latest info at https://t.co/OMlPdM5kfd #Copa100 pic.twitter.com/4KCh0ujZPi
— Copa América 2016 (@CA2016) December 17, 20153. Straightforward 2018 World Cup Qualifying
The lead up to the 2014 World Cup was rough for El Tri. Miguel “El Piojo” Herrera took the reigns of an El Tri that had under performed during World Cup Qualifying. At one point, El Tri needed help from the United States to stay alive. It would have been devastating for Mexican National team fans if El Tri wouldn’t have made it to Brazil in 2014. El Tri has been a staple of the World Cup. El Tri needs to show that they have learned from that experience and that they are willing to work hard to make sure they have a more straightforward and less complicated World Cup Qualifying this time around.
Osorio deserves credit for Mexico's strong start to World Cup qualifying https://t.co/63ex48uApN pic.twitter.com/L62Qj1Phbm
— Football News (@imagofootball) November 18, 20154. Guillermo “Memo” Ochoa finding a club in 2016
Memo has been with La Liga side, Malaga since August of 2014. In that time frame, he has made 5 appearance. Just 5. That is depressing for a player that showed so much grit and quality in the 2014 World Cup. Patience is a virtue, but he should no longer have patience for the bench. He needs to find a club where he’ll get minutes. It would be good for him and for El Tri if he managed to do so. It hasn’t been the easiest time for him and hopefully he leaves Malaga all together.
Hoy es cumpleaños del gran portero mexicano Guillermo "Paco Memo" #Ochoa. Actual jugador del #Málaga. pic.twitter.com/WemUwaJeHc
— Hablemos de futbol (@hablard_futbol) July 13, 20155. Ricardo “Tuca” Ferretti needs to continue to develop El Tri stars at Tigres
2015 has been a great year for Tuca Ferretti. From reluctantly leading El Tri to success against the United States in a Confederations Cup playoff match, to finding success with Tigres in the Apertura, Tuca has shown his quality as a coach and this will benefit future El Tri stars such as Jurgen Damm, Israel Jimenez, Javier Aquino, Hugo Ayala and others that make up his successful Tigres side. Another “regalo” for El Tri would be Tuca’s continued presence in making sure players like those mentioned above continue their development as players with Tigres.
6. Carlos Vela finding his stride
Carlos Vela has underperformed as of late and another “regalo” for El Tri would be his return to form. Not only has his form been below what we would expect from Vela but speculation has it that he is looking for a new club. Many believe he is on his way to Major League Soccer. He’s definitely been struggling at Real Sociedad this season, with only 2 goals to his name in 15 appearances. These struggles were also apparent when he suited up for El Tri in the Gold Cup and the Confederation Cup playoff match. With important qualifying matches and a Copa Centenario waiting El Tri, Osorio will hope that Vela finds his stride.
Game day!! Vamos por esa victoria equipopic.twitter.com/lMdWc6fEmy
— carlos vela (@11carlosV) October 18, 20157. Porto and Benfica
El Tri players call Porto and Benfica home in the Primeira Liga in Portugal. Miguel Layun, Jesus “Tecatito” Corona, and Hector Herrera have been getting minutes at the European Club – especially Layun, who has become a staple of the club, consistently chosen to start. Tecatito is still young and developing so it’s great that he is getting minutes. Hector Herrera on the other hand just returned to form after a stellar 2014-15 season. Benfica is home to Raul Jimenez, who will be hoping for more minutes at the club. So far he has 4 goals in 19 appearances, which is great for a player that saw very little opportunities at Atletico Madrid. 2016 will hopefully bring more opportunities for these players – players who will be very influential to the success of El Tri.
Tecatito, Miguel Layún, & Héctor Herrera. ¡GRANDES, FELICIDADES POR PONER EL NOMBRE DE EN ALTO DESDE PORTO!pic.twitter.com/al5pOIwzvn
— Selección Mexicana (@MexicoStats_Tri) December 5, 2015El Tri has a lot to look forward to in 2016. How will 2016 unwrap for the Mexican National Team? Feliz Fiestas a todos!
