Mexico offers much to build on after loss to Brazil

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With no tournaments in the near future to prepare for, Mexico coach Hugo Sánchez has entered the next phase of his World Cup cycle. The Gold Cup and the Copa América are in the past, and the task of building depth and providing players opportunities against top-notch competition is now the focus.

It doesn't get more top-notch than Brazil for Mexico, which left Gillette Stadium on Wednesday night with a 3-1 loss. But El Tricolor offered much to build on.

RISING TO THE CHALLENGE

Facing the five-time world champions is never easy, but Mexico has risen to Brazil's challenge time and again over the last decade. If wins over Brazil in the Copa América (2001 and '07) and the Confederations Cup (1999, '05) mean anything to the current and future Mexico teams, it's the knowledge and confidence that Brazil isn't larger than life. Mexico responded again on Wednesday. Mexico doesn't have talents like Ronaldinho and Kaká to draw from, but the Mexicans did well to minimize Brazil's talents and level the playing field. In the end, it wasn't enough -- but the loss wasn't from a lack of effort or disparity in talent.

MEMO OCHOA SHOW

Guillermo "Memo" Ochoa's performance in Mexico's 2-0 win over Brazil in this year's Copa América didn't cement his status as the No. 1 goalkeeper, but Wednesday's effort should. While Mexico's defense did well to stop the Brazilian attack, Ochoa turned away most of the shots that got past El Tri's backline -- making 11 saves.

Vágner Love was the first to test him, and the first to fail as Ochoa's scrambling save in the 10th minute set the tone for his show. Four minutes later, Ochoa denied Robinho while he was on the ground, having knocked the ball from Kaká's feet moments earlier.

Ochoa's best save, however, came in the 66th minute. Ronaldinho floated a free kick over Mexico's back line and Elano raced onto the ball and powered a header on frame -- but Ochoa reached behind him and knocked the ball away. Though he allowed three goals, Ochoa wasn't really at fault in any of them. A set piece, a defensive mistake and a counterattack were ultimately too much to handle, but Ochoa left no doubt that he's the best goalkeeper in Mexico.

EVOLUTION OF THE FRONT LINE

Before the start of Wednesday's game, the Mexican Soccer Federation honored former star forward Luis Roberto "Zague" Alves in another of a string of ceremonies for former Tricolor stars. Perhaps the fed can schedule one for Jared Borgetti, as the front line of Nery Castillo and Juan Carlos Cacho continues to pay off.

Cacho had the better performance of the two. Not only did he score, but his passing was -- again -- on target. He sprung Fernando Arce inside the penalty area in the middle of the first half with a deft feed, though Brazilian keeper Júlio Cesar turned Arce away.

Cacho's goal came off timely passing, first from Carlos Salcido on the left flank, then from Andrés Guardado from the left side of the box. Cacho's stock continues to climb and he has leapt over forwards Omar Bravo and Francisco "Kikín" Fonseca. Castillo wasn't much of a presence, though he did well defensively.

TASTE OF GIO

For the start of the match, coach Sánchez decided to go with the top players at his disposal. Though immensely talented, Giovani dos Santos is more potential than substance, and as such, started the game on the bench. A star at both the Under-17 and Under-20 levels, dos Santos and fellow youth standout Carlos Vela replaced Castillo and Cacho with a quarter-hour remaining.

Dos Santos had little time to show his stuff. With Brazil's two late goals, the Brazilian defense gave up little space to either young star. In the 90th minute, dos Santos had a chance to score his first international goal but sent a point-blank header well over the crossbar.

Dos Santos and Vela are clearly the future of this national team and games like Wednesday night are important to their development. The Cacho-Castillo pairing is capable enough to carry Mexico through South Africa 2010, while anything else dos Santos and Vela provide from now until then will be a bonus.

CONTAINING BRAZIL

For about 78 minutes, Mexico did well to contain Brazil's attack. With a smothering defense, Brazil's stars were barely able to stretch their legs. It was more than just the back four which contained Brazil. Wide midfielders Guardado and Arce played well on both sides, while Gerardo Torrado and Jaime Correa formed a strong pairing in the center of the field.

However, a defensive error led to the game-winner as team captain Rafa Márquez failed to clear a centering pass by Ronaldinho and Kaká buried it from six yards out. Mexico pushed forward in search of a leveler and allowed another goal on a counterattack, to Afonso in the 86th minute.