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In Mexican soccer, Sven-Goran Eriksson named his squad for the upcoming qualifier against USA in Columbus, Ohio February 11th. Although El Tri will be without Andres Guardado, Fernado Arce, Carlos Vela, Gerardo Torrado and Magallon, the Mexican roster still boasts a very talented group featuring Rafa, Dos Santos, Pardo, Nery Castillo, and Carlos Salcido. Last week I speculated on a starting Xl, but had omitted Pavel Pardo with suspension so this is a confirmation that I had switched Torrado and Pardo. In addition, Rafa Marquez played with Barcelona and looks motivated for the upcoming match against bitter CONCACAF rivals USA.

 

Goalkeepers:Oswaldo Sanchez (Santos Laguna), Guillermo Ochoa (America), Jose de Jesus Corona (Tecos).

Defenders:Juan Carlos Valenzuela (America), Julio Cesar Dominguez (Cruz Azul), Carlos Salcido (PSV Eindhoven), Ricardo Osorio (Stuttgart), Rafael Marquez (Barcelona), Aaron Galindo (Chivas), Leobardo Lopez (Pachuca).

Midfielders:Fausto Pinto (Cruz Azul), Pavel Pardo (America), Leandro Augusto (Pumas), Luis Perez (Monterrey), Israel Martinez (San Luis), Antonio Naelson (Toluca).

Forwards: Alberto Medina (Chivas), Cesar Villaluz (Cruz Azul), Giovani Dos Santos (Spurs), Matias Vuoso (Santos Laguna), Carlos Ochoa (Chivas), Nery Castillo (Shakhtar Donetsk), Guillermo Franco (Villarreal), Omar Bravo (Deportivo de Coruna).

 

After reviewing El Tri roster, my starting Xl has changed and been modified since last week.  

------Vuoso------Naelson---

Pinto-Augusto-Pardo-Dos Santos

Salcido--Rafa--Galindo--Osorio

----------Sanchez----------

 

It would not surprise me to see Cesar Villaluz receive the nod at left wing, but I believe Pinto will play at the left midfield to provide extra defensive coverage and flank speed.  It is possible that Mexico's strategy will be similar to the US formula which is to play compact and counter attack. It will be interesting to see the strategy deployed by El Tri and Head Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson.

 

Subs:  It is probable that Nery Castillo will enter as a substitute in the second half due to his lack of playing time but does provide a  potential offensive Spark.   Cesar Villaluz offers work rate, tenacity, and speed in the midfield and could see the field.  Depending on the scenario of the game, it is possible that Omar Bravo could enter as a sub to offer speed and attacking prowess.

 

Although El Tri is lacking a few of their regular starters, the game in Columbus will be very hard fought with several elements affecting the outcome such as weather, lack of playing time for certain European based players, coach's strategy, and the intense dynamic that the rivalry brings.  Later in the week, I will attempt to predict the outcome of this bitter rivalry.

 

Included are web logs that discuss Mexican soccer: Eriksson names roster for USA vs Mexico

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