Comments on: Player Focus: Alexis and Amber Hernandez

By: Juan

Juan — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 22:28:36 +0000

I think Mexico has better players than those. I don’t know why they played for Mexico, if they suck. The only reason they played for Mexico is because their parents have contacts in the FMF. I know those players and they don’t have qualities for play in that team.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 20:32:37 +0000

My son Jose Francisco Torres - Mezzell was part of the ODP (Olympic Development Program) for many years. Each year he was always passed over because of his body build and height. His last year at camp he was told by a fellow Latino that to go try out in Mexico or any Latin country and he would not be judged by his size or body build but by his skill with the ball and his ability to think during a game. It’s true in Pachuca there are many plays “Shorter” than Jose but that doesn’t stop their foot skill, speed, or ability to find the back of the net. One of then even makes most of his goals by out jumping his fellow players and heading the ball in. I think the young people here in the US are judged for height and body build and soccer is not “Football” it’s about allot of different skills all wrapped into one body. Where one player may not be strong in one area another may be even stronger but as a team they could be unstoppable if given the chance. My son has always been little and growing up in the North East Texas Area he was never judged by his size because he always proved himself on the field. Even in high school he was a varsity player his freshman year. I truly believe that if he had been given the chance to play on one or more of the US Teams growing up he would not have turned to Mexico to reach his dream.

By: Matt

Matt — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 18:49:32 +0000

To Raider:

I too live in So Cal and think that skin color has a lot to do with the ODP selections especially as they pertain to the Cal South pool selections. In fact, my kid who is white, consistently gets overlooked to the exclusion of the early maturing latino players. Give me a break.

By: Daily Dose 4.14.08 - England - The Offside - Soccer News and Opinion from leagues around the world

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 01:01:20 +0000

[...] Brother and sister representing El Tri (Culture of Soccer) [...]

By: Micah

Micah — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 23:05:07 +0000

I personally don’t think race is an issue with soccer. Nor do I think people really care. A majority of those playing NCAA football & NFL are black and I would say they make up the 2 most popular leagues in the United States. Baseball rosters are now blacker and more hispanic then they have ever been and the game is still alive and well.

With so many kids involved in soccer, at many levels, I think it’s simply too difficult to get a look at all talent. Economics also factor in. US Soccer and MLS do not have the funds other sports have to scout and recruit players.

By: Raider

Raider — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 20:09:59 +0000

Living in Southern California and seeing a lot of soccer I question the direction of the US soccer federation. There is incredibly good talent that is definitely getting looked over and I wonder if the reason is the skin color of the players. The US soccer team is getting more and more diverse, but I wonder what would happen if the minority talent that is out there would make the team. The team wouldn’t be as white as it is now.

By: Micah

Micah — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 13:38:57 +0000

Mexico has finally realized they can’t beat the United States with Mexican born talent…lol. I have read before that players do slip through the cracks in the United States from time to time. They can’t keep tabs on everyone but it’s not good to see talented players suit up for other nations.

By: South Valley Chivas Academy » Culture Of Soccer Website Writes Story On Alexis And Amber Hernandez

Sat, 12 Apr 2008 04:46:43 +0000

[...] full article can be found here. Filled under: News, Home | You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 [...]