Miguel “El Piojo” Herrera’s sudden fall from grace meant that an immediate substitute was needed to take over his high-pressure job as Mexico’s national soccer team coach. Ricardo “Tuca” Ferretti performed majestically in the crucial Confederation Cup qualifying game against the United States, in which El Tri tasted victory with a 3-2 score. Afterwards, Colombian coach Juan Carlos Osorio took the reins. The choice was a polemic one, as many fans had no idea who he was, not to mention the fact that several Mexican league coaches straight up declared they were against Osorio taking over the position.
In the end, Osorio announced his arrival with a smooth, semi-academic first press conference, referring to players as Fiber A, Fiber B, and Fiber C, the meaning of which continues to baffle us to this day. Nonetheless, Osorio has arrived, and unless everything goes terribly wrong, he will remain at El Tri for a while.
Tomorrow Mexico plays a friendly against Senegal in Miami. Here are few fast facts about Juan Carlos Osorio you might not know.
1
He started his career in the United States.
When Osorio was a young soccer player, he moved to the United States looking for professional opportunities. The Colombian league allowed a lot foreign players in the roster, meaning younger players were hardly offered minutes on the pitch. After playing at the University of New Haven from 1985 to 1986, he graduated from Southern Connecticut State University with a B.A. in Exercise Science.
2
He's bounced around a bit since his days with the Staten Island Vipers.
Somewhat curiously, Juan Carlos Osorio began his managerial career at the Staten Island Vipers (which no longer exists and used to play on a high school field) as their assistant and conditioning coach. His first main coaching position came in 2006 with Millonarios FC, but the list of managed teams is quite long: Chicago Fire, New York Red Bulls, Once Caldas, Puebla, Atletico Nacional, São Paulo, and Mexico – in that order. His most successful team has been Atlético Nacional, but he also has titles with the New York Red Bulls and Once Caldas; hopefully he can add a title or two with El Tri.
3
He's got moves.
“According to my wife,” he said in an interview with MedioTiempo, “I’m a good dancer.” He likes salsa, bachata, cumbia, and tropical music. He particularly likes Grupo Niche.
4
He doesn't drink anyone else's coffee.
He likes to make his own coffee, which he carries around in a Thermos along with condensed milk, just in case he doesn’t find good java throughout his day.
5
His fears are totally valid.
He’s afraid of heights and the ocean. ?