FutbolMLS.com is the go-to source for Spanish-language coverage of MLS and the upcoming World Cup, and every Friday we will be bringing you an English-language digest of the best content they have to offer. Oh, and don't miss everything you need to know about the weekend in American soccer in the Starting XI.
1. MEXICO'S CUP LINEUP?Friday evening will see Mexico take on Portugal in perhaps the most anticipated non-USMNT friendly in the buildup to the World Cup. The big story for US fans will be the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo and a number of other players for their Group G rivals, but there will be an eye on Mexico as they field a lineup that could very well be the one head coach Miguel Herrera puts out in their Group A opener against Cameroon on June 13.
"We're trying to come into this game with the idea that the base of this team can start the game against Cameroon," Herrera said in his press conference on Thursday. "Depending on how [the players] play tomorrow, I hope they do well, because I think it's the best we'll see on the field.
"The only [unclear] situation will be in the back, in goal."
Jesús Corona looks to have the upper hand in the battle with Alfredo Talavera and Guillermo Ochoa in the battle for a starting goalkeeper spot in Brazil, and will start the game vs. Portugal.
Here is Herrera's full lineup, in his preferred 5-3-2 formation, for the match against Portugal, and possibly Cameroon: Jesús Corona; Paul Aguilar, Rafa Márquez, Francisco Rodríguez, Héctor Moreno, Miguel Layún; José Vásquez, Héctor Herrera, Andrés Guardado; Oribe Peralta, Giovani dos Santos.
2. EL TRI LOOK FORWARD, NOT BEHIND: Mexico will be hoping their attack looks much better against Portugal than it did in a tepid performance against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday, but the players on the team are not too interested in looking at the result as a worrying sign.
"I believe all this leaves us with a lot to learn to try and make things better for the next game," Mexico captain Márquez said after the game. "This gives us an idea of what we are missing and what we need to make better."
Said fellow center back Rodríguez: "From this match, we can take that the team tried [to score] in many ways, and although we were denied a goal, I think we were up to standard."
3. TALKIN' TRANSFERS: A long summer is starting to get underway – no, not the World Cup, the transfer market. There were two big moves in MLS this week with David Villa’s move to New York City FC for the 2015 season and Oriol Rosell’s sale by Sporting Kansas City to Portuguese powerhouses Sporting CP.
The Tiro Libre crew has you well-covered on both moves, as they break down the implications of both transfers. They talk to Spanish journalist David Ruiz about what exactly Villa can bring to the table for NYCFC, the financial aspects of the move, and what will happen with his Spanish national team career after the World Cup.
Rosell was one of the first of a recent wave of Spaniards to come to MLS, and his move back to Iberia is a positive sign for the league's reputation as a destination for younger players. There's plenty more implications to the transfer, too – listen in to find out more.
4. SUPERCLASICO SWING: Let’s not forget that before the World Cup finally gets underway we have one more weekend of MLS action. There are a number of intriguing intra-conference rivalries on tap, including the LA Galaxy-Chivas USA SuperClasico, and Galaxy midfielder Juninho was the latest player to sit down for the "Hablando con..." (Talking With) series.
"Not underestimating the opponent will be key," says Juninho of the game agaist the Galaxy's across-the-hall rivals. "I've played in many clásicos against Chivas USA, and I know how important they are. The SuperClasico on Sunday will be a very important match for gaining points and climbing in the table."
The SuperClasico was far from the only topic, Juninho discussed, though. He opened up on his role on the field, time with USMNT star Landon Donovan, the growth of MLS in the five years he's been in the league and the World Cup chances for both his native Brazil and his adopted country. Also, be sure to read all the way to the bottom for a fun game of word association.
5. WORLD CUP EXTRAVAGANZA: FutbolMLS.com is blowing out its World Cup coverage with the tournament now less than a week away, bringing you all the details on the 32 teams taking part and fun facts from years past.
The place to start is the "Figuras del Mundial" series, which has seen or will see a key player for each team profiled and will run up to the day before the World Cup, June 11.
Also be sure to check out some of the best goals in World Cup history here, and some of the most stylish kits right here.
