Another Scandal

A few weeks after five Mexicans were suspended the version of from the Tri that eventually won the Gold Cup, eight more have now been tossed from the team set to compete at the Copa América for partying with prostitutes. Among the group were Jonathan Dos Santos, the Barça midfielder and younger brother of Giovani, and Marco Fabián, whose performances at Chivas I grew to like these past two seasons. This follows another prostitutes-and-el-Tri incident last fall, about which point I wrote:

A Mexico fan could choose to be disappointed by the suspension from the Tri of promising youngsters Efraín Juárez and Carlos Vela. After all, it is a shame that they won't be able to continue developing with the rest of the green-shirts, and the reason for the suspension -- a prostitute- and transvestite-filled post-game bash following the victory over Colombia on September 7-- is a bit embarrassing.

But I think we have to see things as half full here. While generally criminal and likely immoral, mishaps with prostitutes are a rite of passage into the elite levels of soccer. Vela and Juárez are heading down a path previously tread by the likes of Wayne Rooney, Frank Ribery, Ronaldo (the good one), and many other greats. Trophies are sure to follow.

Wouldn't you know it, they won the Gold Cup. Though I don't think the Tri's C-minus squad will repeat the trick in Argentina.