Juan Carlos Osorio has announced his roster for Mexico for next week’s friendlies against New Zealand and Panama and the results are a mix of returners and debuting players all looking to impress Osorio.
Big name returners
Finally, it looks like Giovani Dos Santos and Osorio are on the same page as the older Dos Santos will make his return to Mexico since the 2015 Gold Cup. A change from La Liga to the MLS, plus injuries, looked to have put the older Dos Santos in the rear view mirror of Osorio. Recent fine form and the recent lack of depth in Mexico’s attack gives Dos Santos an opportunity to show where he is at the moment. Giovani isn’t the only Dos Santos to return as his brother Jonathan also returns to Mexico after a long layoff. He’s started the La Liga for Villarreal in great form, which included a fantastic 88 minutes against Real Madrid. The younger Dos Santos will look to make the most of his chances in the middle.
Other big names who are returning for Mexico are current and former Chivas players Alan Pulido and Marco Fabian. Pulido returns to Mexico after two years in what can be seen as somewhat of an exile put on him by the Mexican Federation after his constant clashing with former club team Tigres. After spending time in Greece he turned to Mexico and to Chivas and looks to make the most of his chance to add depth to a very thin Mexico front line. Fabian returns after seemingly finding his footing with Frankfurt in the Bundesliga. After making the move to Germany in the January transfer window, he looked to struggle with adjusting to the play of Germany. He’s started this season strong though, and looks to have found his footing and was rewarded with a call up.
New players look to make their mark
Five players will look to earn their first cap for Mexico as goalkeeper Rodolfo Cota, defenders Jordan Silva, Hedgardo Marin, and Luis Robles all get their first call up for El Tri. Also, Mexican starlet Erick Gutierrez returns and will look to earn his first cap. What could affect all these players in their roles is how Osorio will choose his lineup as he tends to change his lineups and formation from game to game, and even from half to half.
Other tidbits:
Six players from the Mexican only club Chivas made the roster.
Three of Tigres four defenders made the roster. Tigres lead the league with only four goals conceded in eleven league games.
Mexico only face Panama next week, but will also face Panama next month in World Cup Qualifying.
Full Roster
GOALKEEPERS
Moises Munoz (America)
Jesus Corona (Cruz Azul)
Rodolfo Cota (Chivas)
DEFENDERS
Jorge Torres Nilo (Tigres)
Andres Aldrete (Cruz Azul)
Hugo Ayala (Tigres)
Oswaldo Alanis (Chivas)
Hedgardo Marin (Chivas)
Jordan Silva (Toluca)
Jesus Duenas (Tigres)
Luis Robles (Atlas)
MIDFIELDERS
Jesus Molina (Santos)
Jonathan Dos Santos (Villarreal)
Orbelin Pineda (Chivas)
Erick Gutierrez (Pachuca)
Elias Hernandez (Leon)
Angel Sepulveda (Queretaro)
Hirving Lozano (Pachuca)
Isaac Brizula (Chivas)
FORWARDS
Giovani Dos Santos (LA Galaxy)
Oribe Peralta (America)
Alan Pulido (Chivas)
Marco Fabian (Frankfurt)