The five pillars in Mexicos list for the World Cup
Miguel Herrera gave the most awaited list in the region, and all the Mexican national team fans now know who will be the men representing their…
Miguel Herrera gave the most awaited list in the region, and all the Mexican national team fans now know who will be the men representing their country in Brazil.
Here is the list of the 23 players that will be suiting up for “el Tri” in the World Cup:
Goalies
Jose de Jesus Corona (Cruz Azul/Mex)
Guillermo Ochoa (Ajaccio/Fra)
Alfredo Talavera (Toluca/Mex)
Defense
Carlos Salcido (Tigres/Mex)
Rafael Marquez (Leon/Mex)
Francisco Javier Rodriguez (America/Mex)
Hector Moreno (Espanyol/Spa)
Diego Reyes (Porto FC/Por)
Paul Aguilar (America/Mex)
Miguel Layun (America/Mex)
Andres Guardado (Bayer Leverkusen/Ger)
Midfielders
Jose Juan Vazquez (Leon/Mex)
Carlos Pena (Leon/Mex)
Luis Montes (Leon/Mex)
Juan Carlos Medina (America/Mex)
Hector Herrera (Porto FC/Por)
Isaac Brizuela (Toluca/Mex)
Marco Fabian (Cruz Azul/Mex)
Forwards
Oribe Peralta (Santos/Mex)
Javier Hernandez (Manchester United/Eng)
Raul Jimenez (America/Mex)
Alan Pulido (Tigres/Mex)
Giovani Dos Santos (Villareal FC/Spa)
There may be a few surprises amongst those who were thought to be included and arent, but lets focus on the positive and identify who should be the five pillars of the team within the 23 men call up list:
1. Memo Ochoa
Mexico’s goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa walks back to his area after Costa Rica scored a goal during a 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match in San Jose, Costa Rica, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2013. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
Herrera, as the many coaches before him in the last qualifying cycle, has struggled to find the right man to keep the net safe. Well, now there shouldnt be any concerns: Memo Ochoa is the best suited goalie in the list, in terms of experience and actual performances with the National Team. Jesus Corona is of course always an option, but Herrera told Ochoa on his trip to Corsica early in the year that he would be the number one in the list.
2. Rafa Marquez
Mexico’s Rafael Marquez celebrates after scoring his team’s 5th goal during a 2014 World Cup playoff first round match against New Zealand in Mexico City, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2013. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
The eternal captain has returned and will be putting in his last service for the Green, White and Red. Marquezs time in the National Team seemed over after he left Barcelona for the MLS and stopped being called up by Chepo De La Torre, but Herrera did not think about it twice and actually gave him the reins again when he was appointed interim manager in the last stage of the qualifier.
Rafas great performances in the last two seasons with Leon have earned him the spot in el Tri for Brazil and he has gained back the trust and love of all fans in the country.
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3. Marco Fabian
Mexico midfielder Marco Fabian (8) celebrates with Alan Pulido (11) after Pulido scored during the second half of an international friendly soccer match against the U.S. Wednesday, April 2, 2014, in Glendale, Ariz. The game ended in a 2-2 draw. (AP Photo/Rock Scuteri)
The midfielder has been one of the surprises of the season with Cruz Azul and his recent victory in the CONCACAF Champions League only has solidified the need to have him in the National Team. He was one of the players banned for 6 month for disciplinary issues and after he was allowed to play for el Tri again, De La Torre and the coaches that followed never really took him into serious consideration.
Now, Herrera has decided to give him a shot and he will try to prove that his performances in the London Olympic games in 2012 and in last summers Gold Cup can be reproduced at the highest level, in Brazil.
4. Gio Dos Santos
Panama’s Felipe Baloy, right, holds the arm of Mexico’s Giovani Dos Santos during a World Cup qualifying soccer match in Panama City, Friday, June 7, 2013. The match ended 0-0. (AP Photo/Arnulfo Franco)
The top star of the team, with difference, amongst the 23 men called up by Herrera. Gio Dos Santos is the most talented player in the squad and is called to become the leader of the team and carry the offensive power.
Hes had a great year, finding his footing once more, in Villarreal, at the top level in European soccer.
Dos Santos skills upfront and his ease for scoring the most unbelievable goals in the direst of situations put him in the driver seat when it comes to becoming the star of the team.
SEE ALSO: Big names left off of the Brazil World Cup roster
5. Raul Jimenez
In this Friday, Oct. 11, 2013 photo, Mexico’s Raul Jimenez bicycle kicks to score against Panama at a 2014 World Cup qualifying match, in Mexico City. Mexico needed the spectacular goal that came in the 85th minute to beat Panama 2-1 on Friday, reviving Mexico’s hopes of qualifying for the World Cup. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
The new sensation of Mexican soccer. At 23, Jimenez has become the top forward at el Tri, mainly given the fact that Carlos Vela decided to not join the squad in Brazil and that Chicharito has not had a lot of playing time.
Jimenez has won the Clausura 2013 and made it to the final of the Apertura 2013, and while this season America has failed to perform as expected, his late goal in the qualifier against Panama virtually giving Mexico their ticket for Brazil 2014 make him the countrys favorite striker
Most of the fans hopes for success in the World Cup, rest on the shoulders of Raul Jimenez.
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