City’s Past Features in US-Mexico Qualifier

Wednesday Night’s big CONCACAF World Cup Qualifier between Mexico and the United States had a definite Manchester City flavor to it. Sven Goran Eriksson who managed City two seasons ago led his Mexican side into Columbus, Ohio to face the favored Americans. The 2-0 loss for Mexico put greater pressure on Eriksson. Mexico’s performance was lackluster largely due to the absence of Carlos Vela or Arsenal among others, but Sven’s tactics have been roundly blamed for the loss in Mexico’s very tough football press.

DaMarcus Beasley who played for City two seasons ago under Stuart Pearce, played the full 90 minutes for the US. Much like his time with City, Beasley was inconsistent, mixing good passes and imaginative runs with bad giveaways and poor positioning. Beasley at one time appeared to be City’s future left winger but when Pearce was sacked, his loan expired.

Beasley features for the United States regularly even while struggling to find the pitch at Ibrox, his current home. US Manager Bob Bradley has the same defensive tactical setup as Stuart Pearce did at City, so it is no coincidence Beasley’s only extended first team run of club football since Gus Hiddink left PSV was under Pearce at City.

Nery Castillo who breifly featured for City under Eriksson started the match for Mexico but was largely ineffective. Castillo’s career has been a mess since coming to City on loan from the Ukraine last January. Castillo who at one time looked to be one of the emerging young talents from Latin America is now struggling to find his form. The match against the United States will not help him regain his confidence.

Former City reserve attacker Mathias Vuoso who never played a league game with the club was also selected by Mexico for the match but did not feature on the pitch. Longtime City midfielder Claudio Reyna is now retired but his impact on this debry fixture is always felt. Reyna is the American with the second most all time appearences versus Mexico.