JON ARNOLD — The Primera, Mexico’s top division, opens tonight and there has never been as much reason for fans of the United States men’s national team to track the domestic league of our neighbors to the South.
Not that there wasn’t plenty of reason already. The league is probably the most accessible in the country, with almost all games easily accessed on television and more resources in the United States devoted to media coverage of the league than any other soccer league. And plenty of fans exist. The games do great numbers on the ratings dial and the broadcasters reap plenty of advertisers hoping to reach a coveted demographic that is tuning in weekend after weekend.
Of course, as we know, that’s still not your typical USMNT fan. While I’m not saying they don’t exist, you’re unlikely to find a group of USMNT fans sitting at the bar huddled around the Tecos-Toluca match this evening. Far more likely, after they’re done talking USMNT and MLS, they move to the EPL, La Liga or other European leagues.
And that’s all well and good. Nothing wrong with that. There are many reasons your average fan of the Americans, and/or MLS, isn’t paying much attention to FMF’s top competition.
First, and perhaps most obviously, is the language barrier. Matches are televised in Spanish, a language most USMNT fans don’t have command of (at least not quite yet). While the substantial media coverage I mentioned exists, it’s almost entirely in a foreign language. While sites like, well, this one and FMF State of Mind try and fill in the gaps and MLSSoccer is beefing up some coverage there’s sill nowhere near the amount of easily readable, English language material available on leagues like England (obviously), Spain or Italy. Plus, fans are busy. If your average USMNT fan isn’t catching a MLS game on a Saturday or Sunday, chances are they’re watching their alma mater play some American football, watching the NFL or MLB, or reemerging from their mancaves to spend some time with their families and such.
Additionally, Mexico’s system is kind of complicated. There are two sections, which is easy enough to get your head wrapped around, but it still isn’t the what an American sports fan is used to. Single table? That doesn’t take a graduate degree to comprehend. Top teams go to the playoffs? We’re all familiar with that set up. But the groups and odd relegation table? It’s all a bit dense.
Luckily for fans and their sanity, the Mexican league decided to do away with the group set up, and we’ll now see a single table with the top 8 advancing to a revamped playoff system that will pit the winner of two postseason round-robin groups against each other for all the Tostitos. The whole relegation table thing still remains. Hey, you can’t win ‘em all.
The improved format isn’t the only reason for American soccer fans to track and catch at least the occasional Primera match this season.
The most obvious is the influx of American players into the league, and not only are there Americans, but Americans who have seen significant time in a national team shirt. Jose Torres will help man the midfield for Pachuca, Herculez Gomez, as mentioned in the aforementioned MLSSoccer article, will be looking to bag goals for Estudiantes, Jonathan Bornstein is part of a strong back line on Tigres, also one of the most exciting attacking teams in the league, Demarcus Beasley has landed at Puebla as he tries to reinvigorate his career. These players are recognizable to the average USMNT fan, and people love watching our exports with their club sides.
Not only are there familiar faces to track in FMF, but there also could be a glimpse of the national team’s future. Perhaps the most exciting is Joe Carona, a midfielder for recently promoted Tijuana. After helping in the promotion bid, the 21-year-old is being tapped by several Mexican media outlets as one to watch for during the Xolos quest to stay up this season.
Also in the potentially up-and-coming department is Edgar Castillo, a left back with Club America who was loaned out to San Luis and Puebla last season. After making headlines for playing for the Mexican national team and then taking advantage of a change in FIFA rules to play with the United States, Castillo’s career has in some ways stalled. Still, the former Mayfield High in Las Cruces, N.M. star said he could’ve bested Bornstein’s efforts for the national team in the Gold Cup Final. If he gets in the fold and stays there at America, he’ll get a shot eventually.
This isn’t going to stop happening. American players playing in the Primera is a phenomenon that’s here to stay. There are a slew of young guys who you could be watching on Univision for years to come. Adrian Ruelas, a forward, is on loan with Jaguares from Santos. He trained with Celtic last season and is poised to make an impact this season. In addition to Bornstein, several young Americans may be able to crack the first team at Tigres. And after a loan stint with Philadelphia Union, Michael Orozco has a chance to be in the starting line up with San Luis this season.
Even without all these exports, MLS teams are starting to make more runs in international play where they invariably meet Mexican sides. Keep up with FMF, and you’re sure to be the smartest guy at your CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal watching party.
Seriously, though, we’re going to continue to see plenty of showdowns between the U.S. and Mexico’s best domestic clubs as the CCL continues to evolve and grow. It’s all the more reason to give a shot and see what the guys South of the Border are up to lately.