Despite earning a berth in the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinals earlier this week, El Tri and head coach Jose Manuel de la Torre continue to struggle mightily on the offensive end.
The Gold Cup semifinal appearance was certainly something to be pleased with but suffering a 2-1 loss to Panama - El Tri's second loss in 17 days to the Panamanians - Mexico's loyal fans are beginning to wonder if 'Chepo' de la Torre is the right man for the head coaching post.
Posting a 4-4-8 international record in 2013, Mexico simply hasn't performed as expected given the level of individual talent the team possesses.
With gifted players including international superstar and Manchester United phenom Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez, keeper Jose Corona, midfielder Pablo Barrera and 2013 Gold Cup stud Marco Fabian, many expected El Tri to be a significant force this year.
Thanks to continued offensive woes however, Mexico simply isn't right, leaving their head coach in a state of obvious frustration.
"At this moment what we all feel is the frustration over the defeat," Chepo told ESPN FC after the recent loss to Panama.
When asked about his contract with the team and whether or not he thinks he'll continue, de la Torre simply said that he intends to fulfill his national team obligations and it's up to team officials to decide what happens after that.
The one who contracted me can determine whether I continue. I have a contract for a process and I intend to fulfill it.
Those who hired me can decide. At the end of the day, I am the person in charge together with my work group, because we were the ones who chose the players and tried to coach them. The goals haven't been reached, we fell far short.
I signed a contract whose final objective was to qualify for the World Cup and I will put all my efforts to it. It has not been a good year, goals have not been met.
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While a certain level of responsibility regarding El Tri's 2013 struggled surely falls on the head coach, Mexico's players continue to voice their support for de la Torre since they're the ones playing each game.
"He's a very capable person that works in the best way and I'm very appreciative for the opportunity he has given me," keeper Jonathan Orozco told Goal.com recently.
Noting that responsibility ultimately falls on the shoulders of the players, forward Rafael Marquez Lugo says the players need to take on the consequences.
"It's time that the players came out to speak and accept the consequences," Marquez Lugo said. "Because at the end we are primarily responsible for this."
As El Tri returns its focus to World Cup qualifying following the Gold Cup loss, Chepo and company will need to figure out how to remain in the top 3 of the CONCACAF Hexagonal since the first 3 teams in the group will automatically qualify for the 2014 World Cup.
With 8 points through 6 qualifying matches, Mexico sits 5 points behind the first place United States and 3 points behind second-seated Costa Rica.
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