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Mexico’s all-time leading goalscorer, Javier “Chicharito” Hernández, shared his prediction for El Tri ahead of this summer’s FIFA World Cup. Appearing on a FOX Sports roundtable alongside former United States men’s national team star Alexi Lalas and Canadian great Dwayne De Rosario, Hernández didn’t shy away from the never-ending drama surrounding Mexico’s squad at this summer’s 48-team tournament. Hernández’s bold vision for his country serves as the driving factor of a wide-ranging discussion between representatives from each host nation. Mexico’s ‘Soap Opera’ Soccer Identity To understand the foundation of his bold forecast, you first have to look at the immense cultural clutter Hernandez had to tune out during his playing days. Mexico’s soccer landscape has historically been trapped by its own desire for dramatic narratives, similar to the storylines in Mexican telenovelas. “Because of the soap operas, the culture that we are, we see ourselves only as the heroes or villains,” Hernandez said. “They need to see you sweat, scream, fight for your country, giving it completely all.” For Hernandez, breaking this cycle of extreme media theater is the crucial first step if Mexico wants to find success this summer. “The way that those things happen, then, instead of helping your own country, it’s the other way around, it’s unnecessary noise, pressure, or whatever you want to (call it), it’s unnecessary,” Hernandez said. Are The Expectations For Mexico Justified? Because Hernandez is predicting a historic performance, the fairness of public expectation remains a question mark. Lalas questioned if El Tri fans have unrealistic goals for the team. Hernandez flipped the script, clarifying that while demanding the best is fair, wanting to see a playing style that doesn’t match the roster’s current makeup is useless. “I don’t need to be or have the same quality as you, but I can give the same results, so that puts the perspective and the expectations in (perspective). We don’t have the same quality as Brazil. We’re not gonna play the Jogo Bonito,” Hernandez pointed out. “That’s what Mexico (fans) always expect of you: play nice, play Tiki Taka, score 20 goals, defend, (don’t concede) goals.” Instead of chasing a superficial style similar to other nations, Hernandez insists fans must embrace not always being favored to win. “That’s the beauty of sports. You can win games without being the best (in) the game,” Hernandez added. Criticism Of Mexico’s Style Of Play Faced with constant backlash, critics and fans alike claim modern Mexican players are too fragile to handle public scrutiny. Hernandez rejected this idea, stating that the squad accepts fair evaluations but demands that fans stop comparing them to foreign heavyweights. “People think that when players come and say ‘this is too much,’ or, ‘they don’t like criticism.’ No, it’s not about that. We are still Mexico, guys. I love my country till death, but we are still Mexico. We are not Italy,” Hernandez stated bluntly. “We can still win in our way.” To achieve his projected deep run, Mexico must maximize its own identity. “We need more realistic expectations,” Hernandez said. “Focus on what you are good (at), like try to explore those qualities, and try to win games however you can win.” The Power Of El Tri’s Fan Base While the relentless traveling crowd of El Tri fans used to infuriate Lalas, Hernandez views this fierce, borderless devotion as the ultimate superpower that will anchor his World Cup prediction. He shared an emotional memory from the 2018 tournament to illustrate the scale of the El Tri faithful. “In the World Cup in Russia, when we played against Germany, that’s why I cried, and I was so emotional, because it’s insane,” Hernandez remembered. “We’re in Moscow, playing against the actual world champions, and we were having a home game.” De Rosario noted that Canada hopes to build that “12th man” energy, but Hernandez reminded him that Mexico commands home atmospheres anywhere in North America. “During one of the last games that I played (against Canada in Canada), I think it was in Vancouver… we were the home team, we were local,” Hernandez said. Hernandez’ Prediction: ‘Dream Big’ Everything builds to the ultimate question: can Mexico finally shatter the quinto partido curse – which is about reaching the quarterfinal game, aka the fifth game at a World Cup tournament – which now means reaching the sexto partido (sixth game) in the new 48-team layout that includes an extra knockout round? Hernandez told Lalas he expects El Tri to top Group A (which includes South Korea, Czechia, and South Africa) and get past the round of 32. Then Lalas asked what would happen during the round of 16. “What we all want to see happen … they go through,” Hernandez replied. Lalas pressed him on reality versus hope. Hernandez differentiated the concept of staying stuck where you traditionally perform from failure. “In my country, they love to say, ‘if we don’t go to the quinto partido it’s a failure,’ it’s not a failure. We’ve been used to do that. We still are. Qatar was a failure. You didn’t go through group (stage). That’s a failure, because we were used to (getting) to (the) round of 16,” Hernandez explained. Despite a less than ideal cycle, Hernandez remains highly optimistic for El Tri, even when Lalas asked if he envisioned a dream scenario with Mexico reaching the final. “I’m a strong believer, I am Mexican, it feels better to hope for the best. Dream big,” Hernandez admitted. “I love this phrase ‘They (call) you crazy until it’s done,’ you know, ‘delusional until it’s done’… I know about some of the players that are there… they’re going to do way better than a lot of people think, because why not?”​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

CHICAGO — The vibes around the United States’ World Cup team are viscerally on the rise following Sunday’s 3-2 exhibition win over Senegal, though concern remains about center back Chris Richards. On Friday, U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino said that Richards, the Americans’ most important defender who damaged ligaments in his left ankle last month, will miss Saturday’s final pre-World Cup tune-up against four-time champions Germany at Soldier Field. “Today he’s training,” Pochettino told me during his pre-match press conference and shortly before putting all 26 players on the World Cup roster, including Richards, through their paces at the training facility of MLS club Chicago Fire. “But still he’s not ready to compete, to play.” That’s certainly not ideal for the tournament co-hosts, who kick off their World Cup campaign on June 12 in Los Angeles against Paraguay. It’s even more concerning given that both goals the USA conceded against Senegal were preventable. The home side allowed 10 shots in total, four of them on target. Cleaning up those mistakes will be imperative at the main event, where errors are typically punished ruthlessly. Which makes the Germans an ideal opponent to face in the last match before the results actually begin to matter. At the World Cup, points — not vibes — are the only thing that counts. That’s not to say Saturday’s contest is meaningless. Far from it. The U.S. was badly outclassed the last time they met Die Mannschaft, a 3-1 friendly loss in Connecticut in October 2023. The Stars and Stripes have struggled against European opponents dating back to their round of 16 loss to the Netherlands at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. They were outscored 7-2 in March defeats to Belgium and Portugal, two other stout European foes. Yet while upsetting Germany without Richards would provide a huge boost of confidence ahead of the World Cup opener, a good performance from which everyone exits healthy is the desired outcome. A victory would be gravy. Midfielder Weston McKennie started that last U.S.-Germany meeting in 2023, logging 75 of the 90 minutes. “I think that game showed, obviously, the quality that they have,” McKennie said following Friday’s training session. “But also the quality that we have as well. We had the potential to win that game as well.” It’s true. Christian Pulisic scored a screamer to give the U.S. a 1-0 lead before Germany roared back with goals by İlkay Gündoğan, Niclas Füllkrug and Jamal Musiala. Only Musiala remains on German manager Julian Nagelsmann’s roster for Saturday’s contest and the World Cup. The USA’s squad has had even more turnover. Several U.S. players projected to start when the games get real — goalkeeper Matt Freese, defender Alex Freeman — hadn’t played an international match then. Freeman, now on Spanish club Villarreal, had just one minute of MLS play under his belt with former club Orlando City. “We go into this game with a lot of players that haven’t played against them yet,” McKennie said.  “So I think the new energy, the new style, just the new circumstances in general leading into a World Cup, I think it’s going to be a great test for us. “We’re going there with the same mentality that we always go out with,” he added. “To win the game.” For Pochettino, it’s the final dress rehearsal, he and his staff’s final chance to tinker and coax and collect a few more potentially crucial data points ahead of the World Cup itself. “It’s a great opportunity after Senegal,” he said of taking on an adversary as dangerous and experienced as the mighty Germans. “It’s going to be a really different team that we are going to face.” If missing helps Richards be ready six days later, it’s a price Pochettino and his players are happy to pay. “Chris Richards is on the right path to coming back — I think everyone trusts his body and what he feels and the coaching staff as well,” McKennie said. “He’s an important piece of the group: his energy, his leadership on and off the field, and so obviously we’re just all behind him and can’t wait to have him back. “The energy is great,” he continued. “We’re all just excited for the game against Germany, and also for the tournament to start.”​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Last Saturday’s win over Senegal felt like a breath of fresh air for the United States men’s national team. I could see it from the players as they walked on the field and out of the tunnel. Snoop Dogg was blaring in the stadium, and there was a positive and confident energy that the Americans need to maintain entering the World Cup. I could see it during the national anthem. Players were singing and focused instead of just having their hands on their heart. They were locked in, and I thought, “Wow, this is a team that looks ready for the World Cup regardless of the result of today’s match.” Here’s what I learned from the win over Senegal. USA took that energy and intensity and used it on the pitch, using a system that required high pressing and a lot of movement. It’s the style of play that head coach Mauricio Pochettino expects out of his squad, and it’s what he got from the start against Senegal. We saw basically two different teams between the two halves against Senegal with 10 changes being made at halftime. Sebastian Berhalter was the only starter to get minutes in the second half, of which, in my opinion, he did a fantastic job covering so much ground in midfield and being the work horse in the midfield. Both lineups looked good, but there were things that, of course, will need to be improved upon. The biggest challenge at the World Cup will be whether the USA can keep up that intensity for the full 90 minutes. Senegal’s first goal came in the final five minutes of the first half, and the Americans almost conceded again in the final five minutes of the second half. I was on the field for the game, and I could hear the U.S. coaching staff cursing in Spanish and pushing for the team to finish each half strong. “We’re almost there.Push it. PUSH IT!Press. PRESSURE!” At that point, it’s about game management. A quality opponent is coming right at the USA looking for a goal late in the game. The keys there are being mentally focused to close out the game but also with intensity while sustaining the press that Pochettino wants. That’s a good experience for the USA for the World Cup when the pressure on them to defend would be even higher. They need to know how to close out these games and be mentally, physically, emotionally locked in. Those final 5 minutes of halves are when games are won or lost. Christian Pulisic was able to shut up any press-conference questions about his goal drought. After more than six months without a goal for the national team, Pulisic followed up his assist on the USA’s opening goal with a great finish that saw him round the goalkeeper and slot home the game’s second goal. Pulisic was well aware of his goal drought for the national team. He doesn’t need to hear about it from journalists or analysts who are creating noise that he is very aware of. People know how important Christian is to this team and that he has to play well for the Americans to succeed this summer. This goal is now an opportunity for people to rally behind him going into the tournament. Every answer in the media from him was about how he’s not letting the drought get to him and how goals will come. Pulisic told me after the match that the start to the match, two goals in the first 20 minutes, will help the team build confidence entering the final friendly against Germany and the tournament. The team’s chemistry was on display for those two goals, with great movement on and off the ball. The start to the game, especially Pulisic’s goal, was perfect timing and a really positive moment for a player and team that needed it. Pepi and Balo. The United States’ striking partnership shined against Senegal. Ricardo Pepi had an assist and a hand in the first goal in the first half, while Folarin “Balo” Balogun found the back of the net in the second. It started with Pepi, who got the start and played a part in both of the Americans’ early goals. His pass set Pulisic off down the left wing before Dest finished the move, and then he set Pulisic through on goal for the second. Pepi was confident on the ball, and his movement was very dynamic. He was able to open up spaces for players like Pulisic and Antonee Robinson on the left wing. We don’t often see Pepi start, so that’s going to help build his confidence as the World Cup approaches. And then Folarin Balogun came on for the second half. He’s a natural goalscorer and is so dangerous in and around the 18-yard box. He puts himself in really, really good positions. He got his goal and was a constant threat. Both strikers did what they needed to do. They both helped in attack and defense by pressing Senegal’s defense. Back in 2022, the striker position was a big question mark heading into the tournament. After the game against Senegal, it seems like a position of strength to continue to keep building on.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

I’ve played in a World Cup and understand how the U.S. national team is preparing — and what matters most. There’s one more game until the Americans’ tournament is underway against Paraguay on June 12, and it’s important to go in with confidence. This time around, I have a different challenge. I’ll be breaking down the USA throughout its journey through the 2026 World Cup, starting with a final tune-up game against Germany. Here are my keys to the game and a preview of what to expect from Germany and the USA. When looking at the German national team, the first names that come to mind are probably Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz or Joshua Kimmich. The player I’m watching out for in this game, though, is someone who can exploit a potential weakness in the U.S. defense. Sane is the player I’m highlighting because it ties into what I’m worried about with the United States. The former Manchester City star is a fast, left-footed winger who generally plays on the right side. He can dribble in either direction, cut in on his left foot or drag the ball toward the touchline. Tim Ream and Antonee “Jedi” Robinson on the left side of the U.S. defense will be defending Sane. When Robinson is high up the field and Germany gets the ball in transition, there’s a chance you’re going to have Sane against Tim in open space. After watching the friendly against Senegal, that wouldn’t be ideal for this U.S. team. This will be less of an issue in the group stage of the World Cup for the United States against Paraguay, Australia and Türkiye. As you get into the knockout rounds, though, you’re going to face players who are able to exploit that pace and potentially cause problems for Ream. Ream will be important in controlling buildouts for the U.S. team, but in the first 20 minutes against Senegal last Saturday, he had some uncharacteristic turnovers that led to dangerous chances. Additionally, there were a few moments when the ball went wide, and Ream wasn’t immediately close enough. He did the right thing in that situation of delaying the attack and waiting for help, but his ability to defend wingers in dangerous positions will play a vital role in the tournament. Alex Freeman will look to build on his performance against Senegal and should find himself in more one-on-one moments out wide against Germany, as well. I’m curious to see how Wes plays and how much of the game he can dictate. We know how good he is in attack, but can he be effective on both sides of the ball? Wes played the second half against Senegal after Pochettino made 10 changes at halftime. He did very well, especially defensively, showing a grit and leadership that came with wearing the captain’s armband for the second half. Wes is expected to start in the midfield next to Tyler Adams, who can cover a lot of ground defensively and potentially give him freedom to move forward. Still, against a team like Germany that can cause problems for the U.S. quickly in transition, my former U.S. teammate has to put in a strong shift on both ends of the field. I know he can do it, having played with the famous “MMA” midfield of Tyler, McKennie and Yunus Musah at the 2022 World Cup. Adams covered the middle of the pitch, while Wes and Yunus covered the rest of the midfield, all the way out to the sideline. This will be a good test against Germany entering the tournament. How well McKennie plays and how much of the game the American midfield can dictate will determine what the U.S. can get out of the game. The U.S. may need a different mentality against Germany compared with how it started against Senegal. The starting lineup played 45 minutes together before 10 substitutions at halftime. Mauricio Pochettino wants his team to press high up the field, and you’re going to empty the tank when you know you’re only going to play 45 minutes. I was very impressed with the compactness of the team against Senegal and hope we see that again against Germany. Offensively, there were so many positive combinations and goal-scoring opportunities from the attacking group in the previous match. Let’s see if the team can continue to look dangerous against Germany. I’d expect we’ll see more minutes from the starting XI against Germany to get the match fitness needed for the World Cup while also trying to stay safe and healthy. My assumption is for the starting XI to play at least 60 to 70 minutes in this one. Can the U.S. be as aggressive against Germany as it was against Senegal? The Americans are unlikely to have as much of the ball as they had in their first friendly. This matchup may require them to drop into a low block, sit back and defend more. If Pochettino starts with three center backs, as he did against Senegal, how does the U.S. drop back in defense? When they enter into a low block does it turn into a 5-4-1? Will the U.S. be content to concede space and possession? I’m curious to see how the team sets up against a potential title contender. With that, can the U.S. find the right balance of attack and defense? Can the team say, “Hey, we’re not just going to be passive, can we go out there and be aggressive in the right moments?” Based on the Senegal game, I am expecting the Americans to at least try to be very aggressive in the first 10 or 15 minutes. Finding that balance will take a lot of maturity from both the coaching staff and players on the pitch. I’m hopeful that we can find the right balance between pressing and sitting back against a team that will be considered a superior opponent. I think Germany will score a goal in transition. There are two things I’m worried about with the U.S. in the World Cup, and they both have to do with its defense. The first one, as I’ve already talked about, is how this team is going to defend in transition when the opposition is on a counterattack. Germany has players like Sane, Musiala and Wirtz — who can cause trouble when given space and time on the ball. The other thing I’m worried about — which may not pertain to this game necessarily — is how the U.S. will be able to play against a big-target striker. Thankfully, Germany doesn’t have one of those, and defender Chris Richards would give the U.S. a different element in defense if he’s fit. Against Senegal, some direct balls were played toward the U.S. defense that Mark McKenzie and Ream didn’t handle smoothly. The addition of Richards should help in this area, and I’m hoping we see a bit more control on that moving forward. Playing against a big striker will test this American backline both in holdup play and deep into the penalty box.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports