Predicting the Gold Cup Rosters Part 3 – Mexico
By Eric Harris
Due to the Confederations Cup, many of El Tri’s biggest stars wont be in the Gold Cup. Will that even matter?
Juan Carlos Osorio had some decisions to make with Mexico’s crowded summer schedule. Opting to take most of his stars to the Confederations Cup, it was a full on backup squad for the Gold Cup. That decision is going to mean three things for Mexico in this tournament.
First, It’s going to be a very young team.
Second, It’s all domestic based players.
Lastly, It’s going to show off the depth of Liga MX to a lot of American fans who don’t realize how deep it is already.
Despite the stars of CONCACAF missing from this roster, Mexico still will have the talent and the depth to be the favorites once again. It would be foolish to think otherwise.
Goalkeepers
Making the Roster: Jesus Corona, Moises Munoz, Miguel Fraga
Getting Cut: none
Three players brought in so no surprises here. Corona is the name most American fans will recognize first. For a lot of fans, he might be the only El Tri player they recognize going into the tournament.
Defenders
Making the Roster: Jorge Torres Nilo, Raul Lopez, Carlos Vargas, Hugo Ayala, Hedgaro Marin, Jair Pereira, Cesar Montes
Getting Cut: none
Again, no surprises here. Ayala and Nilo are two of the oldest field players on the roster. Those two and Corona are the only ones north of 25 caps. They will bolster the backline. Lopez should be the first choice at right back. Someone else will be getting their first major minutes with the team.
Midfielders
Making the Roster: Jesus Duenas, Jorge Hernandez, Rodolfo Pizarro, Elias Hernandez, Jesus Gallardo, Jesus Molina, Javier Salas, Gael Sandoval, Luis Rodriguez, Orbelin Pineda, Erick Guttierez
Getting Cut: Jesus Isijara
Two players have to go once the first game rolls around, and Isijara is the first to go. Molina, and Duenas, are seasoned veterans in Liga MX and won’t be phased by the big stage. Pineda is just 21 but already has over 100 appearances in Liga MX. There’s your core in the middle, but out wide there are plenty of options. That’s especially dependent on what formation Osorio plans on using.
Forwards
Making the Roster: Alan Pulido, Angel Sepulveda
Getting Cut: Martin Barragan
After a quick start to his national team career was derailed, Pulido is back in the fold and will be dangerous for Mexico. He could be one of the favorites for golden boot.
Related Story: Predicting the Gold Cup Rosters Part 2 - CanMNT
Outside of that Sepulveda is the only out and out striker in this projection, all though Mexico will have no problems creating chances.