Memo Ochoa Started His First Club Game Since January. It Did Not Go Well

Memo Ochoa probably just needs a new team at this point.

The Mexican goalkeeper has fallen far from the lofty heights he achieved as one of the breakout players of the Brazil 2014 World Cup, having appeared only once so far for Spanish club Malaga so far this season.

That appearance came earlier this week in the Copa del Rey against Mirandes. Malaga lost, 2-1, which means something drastic is probably going to have to happen for Ochoa to see the field.

Ochoa's lack of playing time has led to his position as Mexico's number one keeper being in doubt, as Jose Corona, Moises Munoz and Alfredo Talavera have all been in the mix for the job. 

At 30, Ochoa is the youngest of the four competitors for that spot, but the other three see significant playing time with their respective clubs, and Ochoa does not.

Juan Carlos Osorio could even look to an in-form young player like FC Dallas's Jesse Gonzalez.

Every team needs a goalie, and there are certainly teams out there that would jump at the chance to have a keeper of Ochoa's quality between the sticks, even if that means a move to Liga MX or MLS.

The bottom line is that if Memo Ochoa doesn't find a new team during the January transfer window, it could be the beginning of the end for his Mexico career.

Contact The18 Staff Writer Sam Klomhaus at Klomhaus@The18.com or follow him on Twitter @SamKlomhaus