Nestor de la Torre, director of national teams for the Mexican soccer federation, is cracking the whip on the 2010 squad, running them through the gamut in preparation for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

With a heavy reliance on youth on this squad, the team will endure a rigorous schedule of friendlies and test matches on the path to the cup. The strategy is a calculated risk, but it is one that officials are willing to take.

“You can have the best practice systems, but competition is what will ultimately allow you to grow and play better soccer,” De la Torre said. “We looked for the best teams in the world, world champions that have star players that we believe we will get a lot out of to take with us down the final stretch and be ready for June.”

To read the full story in the Los Angeles Times, click here.

José Vázquez Villagrana, also known as “El jabalí,“ is behind bars tonight, as Mexican authority continue their seige on organized crime throughout the country side. Villagrana, a former member of the U.S. military, is the latest in a slew of recent arrests of cartel workers.

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Cameron Beckman secured a PGA tour victory at the Mayakoba Classic this afternoon, shooting a 69 in the final round of play on Monday.

The area of Riviera Maya-Cancun has long attracted tourists from all over the world, but golfers in particular have been flocking towards the desination since the inception of the tournament in 2007.

The event marked a third career tour win for Beckman, but his first ever in Mexico.

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South by Southwest (SxSW) may be one of the biggest musical festivals in the United States, but concert promoter Todd P., who has been instrumental to the success of the event for the last four years, has announced that he is forgoing the same old show for a more interesting opportunity in Mexico.

The promoter is said to be planning a show in the Monterrey area, although not many details have been released. Todd P is just one of many people in the arts world that are taking their flare and talent to Mexico, as the country is beginning to carve out a name for itself in the arts scene.

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Mexico has shown its commitment once again to international security through cooperation, this time with the US Department of Homeland Security. In a ‘Joint Declaration on Civil Aviation Security’ Mexico, the US and several other nations have signed on to help protect the skies for everyone taking to the skies. To read the full release, click here.

On the heels of last week’s announcemen that the Men’s National team will visit the US six times to prepare for the World Cup, the Women’s national team would not be outdone, announcing upcoming two friendlies against the US.

“The U.S. national team will open its domestic schedule next month with a pair of matches against Mexico.
The first is scheduled for March 28 at Torero Stadium at the University of San Diego. The two teams meet again March 31 at Rio Tinto Stadium, home of Major League Soccer’s Real Salt Lake.

It will be the national team’s first game in Utah since the Americans played Ireland in a friendly at the University of Utah’s Rice-Eccles Stadium in 2003.”

To read the full article, click here.