Mexico’s has historically been able to produce at the very least half decent goalkeepers. Although, the country has never produced a truly transcendent talent in goal, they have produced one of the most influential goalkeepers of all time in Jorge Campos. After the flashy jerseys, and unorthodox 1v1 play of Campos came the likes of Oscar Perez, and Oswaldo Sanchez. The baton was finally handed down to Memo Ochoa, and he’s held the position down for decades to this point. Is it time for a change? Carlos Acevedo seems to be the latest graduate of the Mexican school of goalkeeping. The Santos Laguna keeper shares some of the flamboyancy and swagger that players from the past have brought to the table. Does he have the skills though to match?
In the current qualifying cycle Memo Ochoa has received his fair share of criticisms because of the clear mistakes that he’s made in key matches. Against Canada, and the United States he’s shown his trademark shaky ball security and below average play with his feet. As well as his struggles in corners and crosses. Part of the fans base wants the national team to turn towards Carlos Acevedo as the current and future answer for the Mexican goal. In this article I want to explore what Acevedo brings to the table. To potentially determine if he is in fact the future of Mexican goalkeeping. As a prelude to all of this, and potentially more concerning of all it seems Acevedo has already won the role of future national team goalkeeper. Except he has won by default due to the lack of competition.
Carlos Acevedo Brief History
Carlos Acevedo made his way through the youth ranks at Santos Laguna, his current club. He actually made his Liga MX debut way back in 2016. The path for him though to becoming the number one keeper at his boyhood club still featured plenty of ups and downs after that. He actually played that game in 2016 as a bit of coincidence it seems. Since he wasn’t featured in the teams cup games that year. Instead still being forced to make apperances with the youth team. In that stint he was also booted from the club. Only to make his return in 2017.
By the 2017-2018 season Acevedo was making all of the first team starts in the cup. He would still have to sit on the bench in the league though. The first team goalkeeper during Carlos Acevedo’s stint in the youth ranks went from being Argentine Agustin Marchesin, to Mexican national Jonathan Orozco. Orozco made the move to Tijuana in 2020, and this left Acevedo with a chance to fight for the starting spot. Ironically he would be fighting Manuel Lajud former Tijuana starter. Acevedo was given the nod. He hasn’t looked backed since. At 25 he’s one of the youngest goalkeepers that currently start on a weekly basis in Liga Mx.
Playing Skills
What are the biggest virtues that Carlos Acevedo exhibits? His reflexes are certainly above average. He’s one of those goalkeepers that is known for being able to make impossible looking saves. Particularly when he’s dealing with short range shots. While this is certainly a skill that can be developed a lot of what Acevedo shows is pure talent. The way that he’s able to find the ball and make contact in these short range shot oportunities is certainly noteworthy. He’s been able to use some of that raw talent to extend his skill set to include great 1v1 skills.
He’s what can be labeled as an athletic goalkeeper. Other than the reflexes he’s got the leg strength to be able to keep himself in 1v1 plays. In other articles on the site I’ve talked about this. There are certain goalkeepers out there that are going to limit their 1v1 skill set to just kneeling and sticking their arms out. Once you put that knee on the ground though, you’re pretty much done for. Sure, you can make saves this way. However, you’ll ideally put the knee on the ground when you know the shots incoming. If you have to play an active 1v1 you have to keep your legs under you. This is something that Carlos Acevedo does very well.
Holes In His Game
One of the things that frustrates me the most is ball security. It’s subpar if we’re being generous. If we want to be really honest it’s outright bad. Most of the mistakes that he’s made in his career have been arguably the same. He can’t find a way to hold on to the ball or at the very least make a deflection to the side. When you can’t do either of those effectively you end up giving up a second chance opportunity. These types of plays tend to end up in goals more often than not. Mainly because the goalkeeper is laying on the ground and even if you’re athletic like Acevedo is it can be hard to get up and block the second chance shot.
In fact, some of the best plays that Carlos has made in his career have been blocks to second chance opportunities. The thing is, at times his lack of ball security is what caused the second chance opportunity in the first place. When this happens applauding the save and covering up the previous blunder isn’t the right thing to do. He needs to find a way to improve his overall ball security. If not, there’s really not much of a chance for him to make a jump to a bigger club. He may find himself at Club America at some point. Particularly if Ochoa decides to call it quits soon. A move to Europe though, with such a glaring hole in his game is unlikely.
Other Than Carlos Acevedo What Other Options Are There For The Mexican Goal?
In this section I want to ignore the old heads. Since, it’s looking like Ochoa is going to be playing in goal for Mexico in the next World Cup regardless of what happens. It doesn’t really matter what Talavera, Corona, Cota or Jonathan Orozco do moving forward. The 2022 World Cup, though, should mark the end of an era. Mexico is going to be forced to find other solutions at goalkeeper for the coming years. This is where currently Acevedo seems to have a clear lead. At least with the media. If Ochoa’s career is any indication being a media darling seems to be more important than anything else to play in goal for Mexico. In any case, Acevedo’s competitors are Luis Angel Malagon, Raul Gudino and Hugo Gonzalez.
Gonzalez is the eldest of the bunch and his career seems to be in a downward trajectory anyway. Malagon was Ochoa’s backup in the Olympics. He’s had some very decent appearances, but it doesn’t help that he plays for one of the worst clubs in Liga Mx. By the way this is an issue that Carlos Acevedo could face. His Santos squad has largely over achieved in the last couple of years. If they fall back down to earth that can be a problem. That leaves Raul Gudino. In my opinion he’s the goalkeeper with the most raw talent out of the bunch. The media has gotten on his case, and his tenure at Chivas has been shaky. If he steps his game up though, and he’s able to get Chivas fans on his side he may be the eir to Ochoa when it’s all set and done.
Ochoa vs Carlos Acevedo – Who Is The Better Option
With Memo Ochoa having suboptimal outings with the national team as of late many fans, and media personalities have called for him to be pulled from his position as national team number one. Arguing that Carlos Acevedo has been playing much better as of late. That very well may be the case. Does that mean though that he’s ready for the international stage? If you don’t put him out there you’ll never find out for sure. My argument though, sits on the fact that both Ochoa & Acevedo have very similar playing styles. Ochoa’s issues within the qualifying games are some of the same problems that we see from Acevedo on a weekly basis.
Ochoa for example gave up a goal thanks to terrible ball security in the game against Canada. It was a shot from afar that gives him a little hop right infront of him. As is tradition with Ochoa he can’t catch the ball cleanly. Canada scores off the rebound. Would that play have turned out differently with Carlos Acevedo in goal? From what we’ve seen from the Santos goalkeeper throughout his career it certainly doesn’t seem like it. He would have likely given up a very similar second chance opportunity. Just like Ochoa he probably would’ve made some wow saves. Yet, some of these saves fall a bit flat when you give up second chance goals. That’s just a goalkeeping fact of life.
The Future of The Goalkeeper Position In Mexican Football
Mexico has never lacked at least a noteworthy presence in goal. Some of the most iconic players to come from the country have played the position. Although, an argument could be made that over the years Mexican goalkeepers have been known more for their persoanilty outside of the field, yes Campos we’re looking at you, more than their game on the field. Still, the players who’ve played the position over the years particularly for the national team have been “good enough” Particularly when compared to the rest of their peers. After Ochoa is done playing though, where does that leave the position moving forward?
I’ve mentioned some of the players that are going to be able to take up the mantle of national team goalkeeper. Carlos Acevedo is up there as one of the fan favorities to wear Mexico’s number shirt. In reality though, his skill set doesn’t seem to add up favoraly. Particularly, when compared to some of the other goalkeepers across the globe. Simply put, he’s no where near the level of goalkeepers like Ter Stegen, Oblak, Allison, Neuer, etc. People who support him would say he’s not there … yet. That very well may be true, but what worries me about Acevedo is that he keeps repeating the same mistakes. The same thing goes for Gudino, Hugo Gonzalez, and the rest of the bunch. Neither of them is a considerably better goalkeeper today than they were a couple of season’s ago. That’s why the future of Mexican goalkeeping looks grim!
Is Carlos Acevedo The Future Then?
As I mentioned before he seems to be the goalkeeper that’s in the best spot to take over the starting role in the national team after Ochoa decides to hang up the gloves. I’m not as high on him as some of the people in the Mexican media. My biggest criticism is that he’s been starting for about a year and half now, and there hasn’t been a major improvement in his game. As is the case with virtually all of the young goalkeepers in Mexico. This is something that I don’t love talking about. Yet, a major problem with Mexican players in general is that they reach a financial pinnacle in their careers rather young. In talking about this topic I’m not saying players shouldn’t make a ton of money.
What I’ve consistently seen happen with Mexican players though is that they don’t develop their skills at another level. That in large part, may have to do with the fact that they get rich really young. You lose the will, and the hunger to get out there every day and work. With Carlos Acevedo you can blame the fact that he was hurt most of last season for that lack of development. If we don’t start seeing him improve his ball security skills it’s going to be really hard for him to become that true Mexican keeper who takes that next step. Even if he doesn’t take that next step he may be good enough to start for Mexico in its upcoming home World Cup. That’s kind of a sad reality though.
