U.S. Soccer Legend Brad Friedel Calls Mexico 'Average' Team

Despite the Mexican national soccer team's strong performance and advancement to the knockout stages of the World Cup, former U.S. goalkeeper Brad Friedel has downplayed their achievements, labeling the team as "average" and "below average."

Friedel, who has extensive experience playing against Mexico, suggested in a podcast that the team's apparent speed advantage is largely due to the effects of playing at high altitudes. He argued that this perceived quickness does not reflect an inherent superiority in their play.

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Mexico is so average. I've played against them for years. What they do, because they play in the altitude, they seem faster than anyone. They are an average team, really below average, they are very beatable and their fans get on them.

"Mexico is so average. I've played against them for years. What they do, because they play in the altitude, they seem faster than anyone," Friedel stated. "They are an average team, really below average, they are very beatable and their fans get on them."

Looking ahead to Mexico's upcoming match against England, Friedel advised England on a tactical approach. He emphasized the importance of England scoring the first goal to disrupt Mexico's strategy. According to Friedel, if England can score early and withstand Mexico's expected high-pressure tactics for the first 15 to 20 minutes, they will likely secure the win. "If they score first, with just getting through the first fifteen or twenty minutes, they will win the game," he concluded.

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If they score first, with just getting through the first fifteen or twenty minutes, they will win the game. Just don't concede the first goal, what they will try to do is suffocate you then you won't catch your breath and they will try to press and press. Just watch their games, that's what they've played to.