Group F: France | England | Colombia | Mexico
Can Mexico challenge the world's best? After being ousted in the group stages twice before, it's hoping to gain more ground in Canada.
The journey
Mexico booked its trip to the Women's World Cup in dramatic fashion. After losing to the United States in the semifinals of the CONCACAF Women's Championship, El Tri Femenil had one last shot to qualify in the third-place match against Trinidad and Tobago. Mexico rallied to force extra time and midfielder Charlyn Corral (a former star at Louisville) scored twice in the extra session (104th minute, 106th minute) to lock up the team's third berth.
Possession will be key
Mexico posted the third-lowest possession percentage (44 percent) at the 2011 WWC and its 17 shots in the attacking penalty area were second-lowest overall.
The rep
Mexico is known for effective buildup play that features creative dribbling and ball control. The squad is also bicultural, featuring a number of Mexican-American players. This is a group capable of big surprises, as well. It upset the United States 2-1 at the 2010 CONCACAF Women's Championship and forced the Americans to fight for a Women's World Cup berth in the third-place game. Still, El Tri Femenil have long been overshadowed in the region by the athleticism and direct play of Canada and the United States. Mexico might also be losing ground to Costa Rica in technical play; it was bested at CONCACAF by Las Ticas, who finished second to the Americans.
Projected formation
Mexico is expected to use a 4-4-2 lineup:
The question
The experience Mexico gained in previous World Cup tournaments, especially the two draws it earned in 2011, helped to season a new generation of players who hopefully will not be in awe of the occasion or competition. One X factor will be former U.S. youth star Teresa Noyola. She won't be looked at so much for goals, but the right winger excels in possession and distributing the ball to other players to score. If Noyola is able to connect well with her teammates, Mexico could emerge as a true threat in Group F.
World Cup history
A look at how Mexico has fared in previous tournaments:
Group-stage schedule
Mexico's first two matches will be played at Moncton Stadium, while the third will be held at Lansdowne Stadium in Ottawa:
• June 9: Colombia, 4 p.m. ET
• June 13: England, 4 p.m. ET
• June 17: France, 4 p.m. ET
Foudy's take
I have Mexico making it out of this group, but not getting beyond its round-of-16 match, which could be against defending champion Japan. The expanded Women's World Cup field and extra game is the only reason Mexico has a chance at life, albeit a short one, beyond the group stage.
Social scene
La Seleccion Femenil durante su sesión de video previo al duelo ante Costa Rica el dÃa de mañana en punto de las 4pm pic.twitter.com/cFn2wfNwMH
- FEMEXFUT (@FEMEXFUTOFICIAL) May 27, 2015
