With Mexico facing Senegal outside of a FIFA international fixture date, manager Juan Carlos Osorio was left with the option of only calling up players from Liga MX. His first roster announcement reflects a Mexico that will have a busy 2016. As Osorio looks to guide El Tri through World Cup Qualifying and the 2016 Copa America, he looks to figure out which players can add depth to his roster. At the same time, him calling a handful of young players shows Mexico’s ambition when it comes to defending their gold at the Rio Games in the summer as well.

Which keeper will take advantage of the opportunity?

By deciding to call up Alejandro Palacios and Jesus Corona in goal for Mexico, Osorio looks to be sending a message to the rest of the Mexican keepers that anyone can get a shot for El Tri between the pipes. With Mexico starting WCQ in a little over a months’ time and with Guillermo Ochoa set to spend the rest of the year on the Malaga bench in Spain, this could be the chance for either keeper to earn a spot next month. While at the moment Alfredo Talavera looks to have a slight edge over the rest for the time being, a strong showing could easily put both keepers in the mix for call-ups in the near future.

Defenders with plenty to prove

Outside of Jorge Torres Nilo, who has carved himself a nice international career and looks like the best option for Osorio as a left back if the coach indeed plans to use Miguel Layun as a right back, the rest of the defenders will look to prove their worth to Osorio. Gerardo Flores and Israel Jimenez are the two options at right back for this match. In the past, Flores has been given plenty of chances at the national team level and never has been able to make the most of them. For his part, Jimenez has never looked like a standout at the right back position for Mexico, but if anything he has been effective.

In the center position Yasser Corona and Jose Rivas are fringe players who will need a strong showing if they hope to be called again. At the moment they look to be behind Hector Moreno, Diego Reyes, Oswaldo Alanis, and Hugo Ayala in the Mexican pecking order. Add to that the continued growth of Carlos Salcedo, who is also making the trip, and this game becomes huge for both.

Good form rewarded

Jesus Zavala and Jesus Molina both make a surprising return to Mexico after neither had featured much over the last two years. Both have gotten off to good starts for El Tri, and will look to impress as defensive midfielders and anchors in the middle for Mexico. Also in that defensive midfield role is Jesus Duenas, who’s seen his form for club team Tigres manifest itself into numerous national team call-ups. All three players will need a strong game to catch the eye of Osorio if they hope to get more consistent chances in the future.

Youth aplenty

When the roster was announced there was no way you could miss all the young options Osorio will look to play this coming Wednesday. Jürgen Damm is establishing himself as a wonderful young talent, and will be reunited with former Pachuca prospects Rodolfo Pizzaro, Erick Gutierrez, and Hirving Lozano, who all join him with El Tri this week. Add to the list Candido Ramirez in the midfield, Nestro Arajuo, and Salcedo in the back along with Henry Martin and you have eight players all 24 or younger looking to make a big impression for Mexico.

Of course, the expectations should all be taken with caution, as putting too high expectations on them all is never good. At the same time, it’s hard to get excited with the quality of youth coming out of Mexico. Expect Osorio to treat these players with care and not throw them into the lion’s den all at once. Instead, he will most likely incorporate them little by little as the Colombian thinker likes to do.

Lack of options up top

While Lozano and Henry being called up is great for the long term future of Mexico, it also shows the lack of options Mexico has in their domestic league outside of Oribe Peralta, who didn’t get called up. Eduardo Herrera will have to prove himself and show his value as a big bodied, back to goal option. These are the matches where “Lalo” Herrera needs to show his value with the majority of Mexico’s attacking options being in Europe. A goal, two or a strong game can lead to future call-ups and show the worth he brings to Mexico as an alternative with his big frame and great aerial ability.

There’s plenty to lose for some of these players, but there’s also so much to gain if they’re able to put in a great performance while wearing the El Tri shirt Wednesday night.