Mexico manager Juan Carlos Osorio has named his 23-man squad for El Tri’s February 8 friendly against Iceland in Las Vegas, Nevada. As the match does not fall on an official FIFA international date (meaning European clubs do not have to release their players for national team duty), the squad is primarily Mexico-based, apart from the LA Galaxy’s Giovani dos Santos.
With World Cup qualifiers in March and early June, the Confederations Cup in late June, the Gold Cup in July and further qualifying matches in August, September and October, this match will serve as something of a litmus test for players in an otherwise highly competitive year for Mexico.
Players like Edson Alvarez and Luis Reyes received their first call-ups, while the likes of Alfredo Talavera, Rafa Marquez and Dos Santos provide the experience.
Goalkeepers: Hugo Gonzalez (Monterrey), Alfredo Talavera (Toluca), Jesus Corona (Cruz Azul)
Defenders: Hugo Ayala (Tigres), Jorge Torres Nilo (Tigres), Nestor Araujo (Santos Laguna), Oswaldo Alanis (Chivas), Luis Reyes (Atlas), Raul Lopez (Pachuca), Edson Alvarez (Club America), Rafa Marquez (Atlas)
Midfielders: Jesus Molina (Monterrey), Jesus Duenas (Tigres), Orbelin Pineda (Chivas), Erick Gutierrez (Pachuca), Luis Montes (Leon)
Forwards: Jurgen Damm (Tigres), Giovani dos Santos (LA Galaxy), Angel Zaldivar (Chivas), Alan Pulido (Chvias), Elias Hernandez (Leon), Jesus Gallardo (Pumas), Hirving Lozano (Pachuca)
A defender nuestros colores con #PasiónyOrgullo.
¡Ya está la primera convocatoria del año!Detalles: https://t.co/5EFqHfwmXA pic.twitter.com/supwF5XbsZ
— Selección Nacional (@miseleccionmx) January 31, 2017