Mexico Men’s U-21 team eliminated from the 2018 Central American and Caribbean games.

Mexico’s U-21 team failed to qualify for the knockout stage of the tournament after tying Haiti 1-1, in a game where Mexico looked uncomfortable, fatigued, and spaced out.

Often relying on bright youngsters like Eduardo Aguirre and America’s midfielder Diego Lainez to carry the team, the only goal of the game came from Aguirre in the 10th minute. El Tri’s youngsters then conceded a penalty in the 34th minute to give the Haitan’s the 1-1 they needed to advance out of the group stage.

Coming off of a El Salvador and Venezuela loss. Mexico finished dead last in the group and looked abysmal in this tournament. After losing the Toulon U-20 Championship final against England with practically the same cast, a lot of this can be pinned on fatigue. After this tournament and the Toulon tournament, a lot is left to be desired by this younger generation of footballers and head coach Marco Antonio Ruiz, who should bare the responsibility the most, although we are talking about a federation that doesn’t know the future of it’s own Mens National team. One positive is that all of this talent is coming home, they will get some rest, and they will be participating in Liga MX or the Ascenso Mx.

Just because the men’s team is eliminated doesn’t mean the woman’s team is. Mexico’s Women’s U-21 team is still in the competition and facing Venezuela’s U-21 Women’s team in the semi-finals. So go support the ladies and actually watch.

Who’s to blame for this early exit? And should youth coaches be criticized more?