It’s been quite a Copa America Centenario for the Bay Area. Fans have been treated to the play of the United States, Colombia, Argentina, Chile, Jamaica, Uruguay and now Mexico all at Levi’s Stadium in nearby Santa Clara. The Quakes’ academy last week got the unique opportunity to train with Argentina, the world’s top-ranked national team at San Jose State, an experience they won’t soon forget.
Tonight’s quarterfinal between Mexico and Chile at Levi’s Stadium is one of the most anticipated of the tournament, and this time it was Mexico who included Quakes Academy players in their crucial preparation at Avaya Stadium’s training facility on Thursday.
Wearing red bibs and mimicking high-pressing Chile once again, U-18 captain Armon Ojuola, Burlingame Dragons FC forward and Quakes Academy product Amir Bashti
led a quickly-assembled squad right onto the field alongside Mexico.
The connection comes through Earthquakes Technical Director Chris Leitch. The former Quake previously played under Mexico’s Head Coach Juan Carlos Osorio for the New York Red Bulls in the 2007 & 2008 MLS seasons. After reconnecting during Mexico’s first session at Avaya Stadium this week, Osorio extended the invitation, opening the door for yet another opportunity to work beside one of the best teams in the world, with some of the best players in the world.
“Juan Carlos Osorio did a tremendous amount for me as a player in my career,” said Leitch. “We are extremely grateful for the opportunity to include our academy players in a training session with such a high-caliber group.”
Leitch hastily rung Burlingame Dragons & Quakes Academy players just hours prior to the training session. Even with late notice, there was not much of a chance they’d miss this opportunity.
“It was a pleasant surprise,” said Bashti. “I tried to soak it in and enjoy it. As much as it is us taking in what we see and learn, we also were there to help them work and train for their match. We did our best to test them as much as they were testing us.”
“Once you step on the field and realize you’re looking at guys you watch on TV all the time, at first it’s all kind of surreal,” said Ojuola. “Once their head coach tells us how we’re going to line up and what to do, it goes from being a kid in a candy shop to being professional and putting in 100 percent effort.”
Arguably one of the most in-form strikers in world football right now, Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez was on hand. His speed and decision-making – and that of the entire Mexican squad – were most impressive to Ojuola, a towering central defender and UC Irvine commit.
“One of the biggest differences is the detail in everything he does,” he said. “When you play U-18 players a lot of the time you can gamble and assume what they’re going to do next, but with Chicharito, any slight hesitation in movement he’s going to expose it, find a gap and get in front of you.”
Osorio specifically asked for high-pressure play, honest tackles & competitiveness from the Quakes & Dragons players. A short moment of awe as they lined up next to Chicharito, Hector Herrera, Andres Guardado & many more was quickly swapped out for a game face that gave El Tri an energetic evening session & the Quakes Academy another valuable learning experience.”
“My biggest takeaway was learning from their composure on the ball,” added Bashti. “It was very sharp and consistent. They were all on the same page, always in sync with each other.”
“Being part of the only MLS organization in Northern California gives us the chance to have opportunities like this,” said
Ojuola.
“I’m very thankful for it.”
Mexico play Chile tonight at 7:00 p.m. in the quarterfinal of Copa America Centenario on FX and Univision at Levi’s Stadium.
