A country of more than 81 million people, Mexico does not have a grand tradition for producing goalkeepers. Despite that, Jorge Campos is the most recognizable figure in Mexican soccer today.
Like other Mexican kids, Campos began playing soccer in the streets when he was five or six years old. He didn't play organized soccer until his early teens, thus enjoying the freedom to play all over the field. "Since I was a kid, I've always been a goalkeeper and a forward. But as a professional, I play mostly goalkeeper, although I do play forward from time to time." In fact, he was a substitute forward in the 1993 CONCACAF Gold Cup, assisting on two goals. The first team Campos ever played with was organized by his father, called "Deportivo Campos." It was mainly comprised of family members and close friends. But soccer wasn't the only activity available to Campos. Other sports he played include tennis, basketball, baseball and surfing.
It's from this last sport that Campos gets his inspiration to design his own uniforms. "My experiences in Acapulco with surfing influenced my choice of bright colors." He started to create his own jerseys around 1988 because he wanted to wear something different to express his individuality. Since gaining exposure from the World Cup, he is better known for his loud jerseys in some circles than for his athletic ability.
If there is still some doubt about his skill, Mike Sorber, a member of the US National Team and Campos' teammate while the two were with UNAM Pumas, says that, "Campos is the best goalkeeper in Mexico." Campos began his professional career with UNAM in 1986. When he left for Atlante, he was one of the elder members of the young squad, barking out instructions to his teammates. To Mejía Barón, UNAM and former Mexican National Team coach, the colorful goalkeeper was like an assistant coach on the pitch.
Under coach Barón's influence, Mexico played a high pressure style of
defense
where the back line often moved forward to pressure opponents near midfield. They
created space in front of Campos so he had the freedom to roam the back much like
a
second sweeper, à la Rene Higuita. Unlike the infamous Colombian's wild
forays
into the offense, Campos plays a little closer to home. However, this practice of
pushing forward can create opportunities for quick counter attacks by opposing
sides,
as the unfortunate Mexicans discovered against a sharp US squad in their 4-0 loss
in
the 1995 US Cup. The US forwards sprinted behind the Mexican defense and rendered
Campos helpless in several one vs. one situations.
Some of these US players, like Sorber, Tab Ramos and Marcelo Balboa, play regularly in the Mexican First Division, although they are now returning home to Major League Soccer. Their experiences in the Mexican league were good for both the players and the league because, Campos believes, the players get experience playing a regular schedule of quality soccer while the league reaps the rewards of showcasing familiar World Cup players.
"There are players from the US that are in Mexico that play very well and they fit into the scheme of play of the Mexican teams. On my team there is one who is an excellent player, Mike Sorber. Ramos, Balboa are great players. Mike Sorber, above all, is a great player."
While some US players crossed the border into Mexico, Campos is migrating to the north to play in Major League Soccer (MLS) as one of the league's biggest signings. He says he always wanted to play in another country. "I've received offers from other countries, but I decided to play in the US because I believe there is a good future for soccer there. Soccer has evolved in the US under Señor Bora and the interest has risen a lot. I believe they will have great players."
Campos is confident the level of play will be good, but admits it will need time to grow. "It's going to get better little by little, with great coaches and great players. It's going to be very important and very interesting." Campos is unsure whether other Mexican players will come to the league just yet, but thinks success will attract players from around the world. "With good organization, good things will come. In the US, when they do things they do them very well."
Despite the loss to the US, Campos and his Mexican teammates looked forward to 1995's Copa America in Uruguay. He believed every team had an equal chance of winning. Before the tournament, Campos said, "Everyone starts at zero. I think Mexico is going to accomplish great things. Fortunately, we got to the finals of the last Copa. We believe we can win it this time with a little luck." Unfortunately for Campos and his compatriots, the Tricolores fell to the US National Team for the second time in as many months in the Copa America quarterfinals.
Few people can ignore the volume of color in Campos' clothing designs, including
the
Mexican Federation. The authorities haven't always seen eye to eye with Campos on
his
expression of uniqueness, at times fining him for artistic license. Eventually
though,
they have come to realize that Campos' flair is good PR. Throughout the world,
soccer
fans see Jorge Campos as the symbol of Mexican soccer, and it can only mean good
things
for US Soccer that Campos has decided to add a Major League Soccer emblem to his
famous
uniforms.