This Thursday, Mexican National Team coach, Miguel Herrera named the list of 21 players who will participate in the friendly against South Korea. The match to be held in San Antonio next Wednesday, January 29, 2014, will be the first match in Mexico’s preparation for June’s Brazil 2014 World Cup.
The roster called by ‘Piojo’ Herrera has several surprises, and distinct absences. It is to be noted that the game against South Korea does not land on an official FIFA schedule, which means neither side will use their best players in European leagues.
Club America is the team with the most players called, which is due to Herrera’s recent tenure in ‘coapa’. Another player with America tied was included, and that is Diego Reyes who plays in Portugal’s Porto. The biggest names not included in this roster are Raul Jimenez who has an injury, and Moises Muñoz which one could argue Herrera would rather use other goalies he has yet to see play. The biggest surprises in the list are those of Alan Pulido, who gets his first call-up to the national team, and Rodolfo Pizarro who has low experience as a professional, but who has enough talent to have called for Herrera’s attention.
Mexico Roster against South Korea
Goalkeepers: Jesus Corona, Alfredo Talavera
Defenders: Jorge Torres Nilo, Miguel Layun, Miguel Ponce, Rodolfo Pizarro,Paul Aguilar, Diego Reyes, Enrique Perez, Rafael Marquez, Francisco Rodriguez, Juan Carlos Valenzuela
Midfielders: Juan Jose Vazquez, Jesus Zavala, Juan Carlos Medina, Carlos Peña, Luis Montes
Forwards: Aldo De Nigris, Oribe Peralta, Alan Pulido, Isaac Brizuela