Club America forward Oribe Peralta and Leon's Luis Montes will both miss Mexico's upcoming friendlies against Trinidad and Tobago and Argentina after picking up injuries this past weekend in Liga MX play.
Peralta picked up a back injury during America’s 2-0 win over Mexican City rival Cruz Azul. While Montes picked up a right thigh injury during Leon’s 3-1 win over Toluca on Sunday.
Peralta will be replaced by Club Tijuana’s Henry Martin. The twenty two year old Mexican gets his first call up to the Mexican National team. Martin has spent the majority of his professional career in the second division of Mexican soccer with Venados F.C.
Montes will be replaced by Tigres Israel Jimenez. Jimenez makes his return to the National team. With six caps to his name the call up isn’t all that surprising since he plays his club soccer for interim coach Ricardo Ferretti.
Martin and Jimenez replacing Montes and Peralta means that neither LA Galaxy forward Giovanni Dos Santos, nor younger brother Jonathan of Villarreal will earn a spot on the national team for the upcoming friendlies. This may lead to speculation that interim Mexico coach Ricardo Ferretti doesn’t see the brothers as options for the playoff match against the United States on October 10th.
On the field, Martin will join the attacking front of Raul Jimenez, Javier Hernandez and Carlos Vela. Joining the three European based Mexican attackers means that Martin’s chances might be slim and he will have to make the most of his time given. As for Israel Jimenez, the right back will be battling for playing time with Mexican regular Paul Aguilar. The former Olympic gold medalist joining the squad as a defender to replace the midfielder Montes means that club teammate Jesus Duenas will move from a right back option to the midfield for El Tri.
Mexico plays Trinidad and Tobago on Friday in Salt Lake City and Argentina on Tuesday September 8th in Arlington Texas.