Memo ochoa7/3/2023 ![]() ![]() “He shows up in the biggest moments as a captain should.” “Wow, it was incredible, wasn’t it,” Mexico winger Uriel Antuna said when asked to describe the moment after Ochoa’s save. He’s a goalkeeper who gives us a lot of confidence.” “It’s easy to say that he’s been to five World Cups, but behind all of that is a lot of discipline and hard work. “Memo is a top goalkeeper,” forward Alexis Vega said. Him saving that penalty was so important for us to be able to rescue a point.” “I don’t know what he said,” said Sanchez. We know how great a leader he is and he showed it again.” ![]() “(The save) gave us a boost,” said midfielder Carlos Rodriguez. After the match Ochoa’s team-mates paid tribute to their veteran goalkeeper. Lewandowski did notpause as he typically does during his run up, which allowed Ochoa to make a reflex save to his left. He stood a short distance from the ball as the screeching sound of thousands of whistling Mexican fans filled the desert air.įour minutes had passed since the foul. Lewandowski would have a golden opportunity to score his first goal at a World Cup. The Poland fans who had been massively outnumbered and silenced erupted in cheer. Play continued for nearly two minutes before Australian Chris Beath was summoned to the VAR screen.īeath ruled that Moreno had pulled Lewandowski down with a shirt tug visible. It came in the 54th minute, when Mexico defender Hector Moreno tussled with Lewandowski inside the penalty area. Ochoa was hardly tested but one moment can thrust a player into tournament folklore. I hope he has to pick out many more balls than I do.” “I’ve seen many of his performances at the World Cup and he was always a genius,” Szczesny said. On the eve of the Group C match, Poland’s goalkeeper, Juventus’ Wojciech Szczesny praised Ochoa for his past tournament exploits. He was instrumental in Mexico’s upset win over Germany four years ago in Russia, and on Tuesday night, Ochoa’s superstar performance proved just how valuable he still is for El Tri at 37. His heroics at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where he faced 14 shots from the host country in the group stage and made six saves, first established Ochoa as a popular tournament figure. So while soccer and American football don’t have much in common, it’s clear that kicking translates well between the two sports.Ochoa has a history of big performances on the biggest stage. Tessmann stuck with soccer and he’s now playing for Serie B’s Venezia in Italy. Tanner Tessmann committed to Clemson in 2019 planning to play both football and soccer in college, but his plans changed when he got an opportunity to sign with FC Dallas in 2020. After his soccer career stalled, Lambo went on to have a six-year career as a kicker in the NFL from 2015-2021.Īmerican football has also seen kickers switch to soccer. Soccer’s residency program in Bradenton, Florida in 2005 before later being picked by FC Dallas eighth overall in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft. More recently, Josh Lambo was part of U.S. He then went on to have an accomplished 14-year career in the United States playing American football, winning a Super Bowl with the Cowboys in 1972. Fritsch won three Austrian league titles with Rapid Wien from 1963-1971, scoring 15 times as a striker, and he earned nine caps with Austria’s national team. Toni Fritsch was perhaps the most notable soccer-to-kicker success story. American football kickers actually began adopting a soccer-style approach for field goals in the 1960s after previously using a straight-on approach for field goal attempts. Ochoa’s 37 years old now so it’s a little late for a career change, but there’s plenty of precedent for soccer players reaching the NFL. Granted, Ochoa’s not facing a rush or the pressure of a game being on the line, but it’s clear that he has the leg strength to kick on the gridiron. The Texans shared footage from the impressive kicks on their social media channels.įootball □ Fútbol | /Tnzgxi70D3 Ochoa had the leg strength for 60 yards but he hooked his first attempt wide left and then hit the crossbar on his second attempt. “I’m switching my sport,” Ochoa joked after making a 50-yarder. With help from former Texans punter/holder Shane Lechler, El Tri’s goalie nailed field goal attempts from 30, 35, 40, 50 and 55 yards. ![]() The NFL team opened up their training facility to América and goalkeeper Guillermo “Memo” Ochoa took advantage of the opportunity to kick on an American football field. Soccer and American football don’t have much in common, but it appears that goal kicks translate well to kicking field goals.Ĭlub América is in Texas this week preparing for Wednesday night’s friendly against Manchester United at NRG Stadium, home of the Houston Texans. ![]()
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