Mexico Vs. Bolivia Game Summary And Recap: Miguel Layún Is Back As El Tri Wins 1-0!

Miguel Layún continued his breakout year for the Mexican National team with a game-winning goal in the 18^th minute against Bolivia on Tuesday. Layún , who has missed the last few weeks with his Liga MX club team, America, with a broken jaw, got a rebound in the center of the box after a shot by Javier Aquino. Layún buried the rebound into the back of the net to give Mexico the early 1-0 lead in the international friendly at Dicks Sporting Goods Park.

Mexico has dominated Bolivia in international play improving their overall record against them to 9-1-1. El Tri last defeated them 5-0 in San Francisco in February of 2010.

Although the score reflected a much closer game, Mexico was clearly in control from start to finish, as they were the aggressor for most of the match. Bolivia seemed content digging in their heels and defending against El Tri who put tremendous pressure on the Bolivians until they let their foot off the gas late in the second half.

Mexico’s only goal came in the 18^th minute when Bolivia goalkeeper, Daniel Vaca, made an impressive save on Aquino’s shot. Unfortunately for Bolivia however, the rebound went right to Layún in the center of the box who was able to sneak it in under the cross bar.

Layún was a relatively unknown until Mexico’s manager, Miguel Herrera took over late last year. Since that time, and through the World Cup in Brazil, Layún has dazzled for El Tri. The left back has now scored three international goals and is a key player in Mexico’s backfield.

Three years ago it was a different story. In May of 2011, the hashtag #TodosesculpadeLayún (Everything is Layún ’s fault) was the #1 trending topic in Mexico. Layún was blamed for Club America’s struggles and his career was in a downward spiral.

“I wanted to stop people and say, ‘What is your problem? If you want, we can sort this out by other means,’ but as a public person you can’t challenge anyone to a fight,’ said Layún in an interview with La Aficion, “At home, I cried.”

Now Layún is making his opponents cry as he has turned his career around and become a star for Mexico.

El Tri featured a number of substitutes in the match against Bolivia. World Cup hero, Guillermo “Memo” Ochoa did not play in the game; neither did Miguel Herrera (the player not the coach) or Oribe Peralta. Javier Aquino and Erick Torres did start for Mexico however and played will in extended action.

Noticeably absent from the El Tri roster was Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez and Raul Jimenez, who’s futures with teams are in doubt after the World Cup. Both players are currently getting situated with new teams in Madrid, and therefore can still be added to the roster in matches down the road, but admittedly, both players may have played their last games with Mexico.