Mexican national team coach Enrique Meza quit after the Tri fell to Honduras, 3-1, before 50,000 fans in San Pedro Sula. The loss left Mexico in fifth place in the Hexagonal, nine points behind the first-place United States and, more important, four points behind third-place Honduras. The top three teams in the Hexagonal qualify for the 2002 World Cup finals. SUCCESSION: The name most often mentioned as Meza’s successor is Javier “El Vasco” (“The Basque”) Aguirre. The former Los Angeles Aztec is the head coach of Pachuca, which won the 1999 Torneo Invierno and finished second in last season’s Torneo Verano. A replacement needs to be found soon. Mexico plays the United States July 1 in Mexico City. MEZA RECORD: Meza lasted nine months as Mexican national team coach. Mexico had 5 wins, 3 ties and 11 losses in Meza’s 19 games. It currently has a losing streak of six straight games. HERO: Carlos Pavon had a hat trick to lead the Catrachos to their victory. Like Costa Rica’s Hernan Medford, hero of the Ticos’ win over Mexico four days earlier, Pavon has spent most of his career in Mexico and bounced around from team to team. He was recently transferred from Morelia, which he helped win the 2000 Torneo Invierno, to tiny La Piedad, which just won promotion from the Second Division. GOAT: Goalie Jorge Campos started his first game for Mexico since the Tri’s 2-0 loss to the United States in February, but he had a nightmare against the Catrachos. He completely missed Pavon’s header on the second goal and knocked down David Suazo for the penalty Pavon converted to complete his hat trick. QUOTABLE: “I have just told all the people who treated me so well that they will have to look for competent people who can help the youngsters.” (Meza)