Mexico's soccer coach to make debut at Dome

By Doug Roberson

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

For soccer players, coaching your nation's team can be the best -- and worst -- of jobs.

The pressure is immense. The expectations high.

Mexico, featuring debutant Jose Manuel de la Torre, will take on Bosnia and Herzegovina, led by Safet Susic, in an international friendly at 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Georgia Dome. It is the first meeting between the countries.

De la Torre will coach his first game for "El Tri" because the country goes through managers the same way the late George Steinbrenner used to go through Yankees skippers. He is the eighth coach since 2000 ... and the country has posted an 114-60-38 during that span, including making it out of the group stage in last summer's World Cup. In fact, Mexico has made it out of the group stage in every World Cup since 1994.

But that success hasn't led to job security.

"The pressure will always exist in these types of jobs, and especially in countries so identified with the national team," de la Torre said. "Those who get to these jobs know exactly what they face, and that gives us some tranquility because we know what it's all about."

Leading the green, white and red was de la Torre's dream growing up in a soccer family. His father and brothers also were professional players.

He knew what he was getting into and how he can succeed where others haven't.

"The only thing I can do now is take advantage of the circumstances and look to improve them," de la Torre said. "Regardless of who was here in the past, it doesn't mean it is going to happen to those in the future."

Though Bosnia's soccer federation is relatively young -- it was established in the early 1990s -- there is pressure on Susic, as well, though he doesn't seem to mind. Less than a year into the job, he has two important games against Romania in March and June. The game against Mexico will help his team prepare. The home-and-home series against Romania is part of Euro 2012 qualifying. Bosnia hasn't qualified for the group stages of that event, nor has it advanced to the final 32 of the World Cup.

"For every coach, not just the national coaches, there is pressure," said Susic, who hopes to advance to Euro 2012's next group stage. "If the result doesn't happen, the first one who is responsible is the coach."

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Mexico vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina

When: 8 p.m. Wednesday

Where: Georgia Dome

Players to watch for Mexico: Defender Carlos Salcido (Fulham), midfielder Gerardo Torrado (Cruz Azul), forwards Javier Hernandez (Manchester United) and Giovani dos Santos (Racing Santander).

Players to watch for Bosnia: Defender Emir Spahic (Montpellier), midfielder Miralem Pjanic (Lyon) and forward Vedad Ibisevic (Hoffenheim).