Victory for the Mexican National Soccer Team
In an exciting turn of events for the Mexican national soccer team, American-born athletes Richy Ledezma and Brian Gutiérrez played pivotal roles in securing a long-awaited victory, overcoming Panama 1-0 in a preparatory match for the World Cup. This match, held in Panama City, marked Mexico’s first triumph since their Gold Cup final win against the United States in July of last year.
Decisive Moment
The critical moment came in the dying seconds of the match, when defender Richard Peralta inadvertently scored an own goal, gifting Mexico the win and snapping a six-game stretch without a victory.
Player Highlights
Ledezma, who hails from Phoenix and was granted a one-time switch from the U.S. to Mexico after competing in official matches, made his debut in this match, playing the entirety of the game. Gutiérrez, born in Berwyn, Illinois, had previously participated in friendly matches for the U.S. but did not need to apply for a switch, thus making his first official appearance for Mexico without any administrative hurdles. He played until the 57th minute and expressed his commitment to continue progressing in his career.
“Those were good minutes; I’m taking it one step at a time and now I’ll continue to grow,”
he remarked post-match.
Additionally, Obed Vargas, another American-born player from Anchorage, Alaska, started the match, further showcasing the growing trend of American players representing the Mexican national team. Vargas, who made his first appearance with Mexico’s senior squad in October 2024, came off the bench in a friendly against the U.S., a 2-0 win for Mexico.
Coach’s Praise
Coach Javier Aguirre praised the contributions of these players, saying,
“Those three guys that were born in the United States and decided to play for Mexico deserve my respect. They started off well; they’re kids with a future, and I’m happy for them.”
As the Mexican team looks ahead to the World Cup, this match and the debut of new talent signify a promising direction for their campaign.
