"My obligation as Mexico head coach is to make the national team be respected."
Tata Martino's words echoed through the press conference room right before his first match against Chile. Mexico would go on to win that thrilling game 3-1, and he's since gone on to defeat Paraguay 4-2. But this summer, his team will be pushed to the limit.
Tata Martino announced a 29-man, preliminary Mexico Gold Cup roster on Tuesday and a few big names were left off the squad.
Carlos Vela, Javier Hernandez, Héctor Herrera and Jesus Corona were all omitted from Martino’s team ahead of friendlies against Venezuela and Ecuador to warm up for the Gold Cup. The roster will be trimmed to 23 before the start of the Gold Cup on June 15 against Cuba.
Incondicionales, it's roster reveal time!!
Javier Hernandez has gone through his share of hairstyles. The latest Chicharito hair color has to be the best.
Hernandez made a bizarre post on Instagram on Friday night, less than 48 hours before West Ham’s season-finale against Watford. Sporting a surprised look and a bag of Flaming Hot Cheetos, Chicharito debuted a bright orange hairdo.
Raúl Jiménez is having himself a year with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
In fact, the 27-year-old striker on loan from Benfica is having one of the best seasons for a Mexican in England ever, statistically speaking.
Jiménez scored the opener in Wolves’ 2-1 win over Watford on Saturday, marking his 13th Premier League goal this season.
Javier Hernandez may be over the hill in footballing terms at 30 years of age, but the little pea still has big goals in him.
While half of the Premier League is off this weekend for FA Cup action (hidden away behind an ESPN+ subscription here in the U.S.), there were a few matches to watch on Saturday, and they were all fucking bonkers.
Newcastle United earned a point at Bournemouth when Matt Ritchie smashed a volley into the back of the net in the 94th minute for a 2-2 draw.
Javier Hernandez made his 150th Premier League appearance on Friday. Starting for West Ham against Fulham, the Mexico international notched his 50th Premier League goal. But the Chicharito goal vs Fulham was his first scored with his hand.
Who needs VAR?
One of two Friday night football matches in the Premier League, the West Ham-Fulham match was not without storylines.
Rumors persist that Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez could yet transfer to Valencia this window — if the Spanish club is willing to pony up something like $15 million for the 30-year-old. However, with Marko Arnautovic unsettled at West Ham and Chicharito just returning from a back injury, the Mexican striker may yet have a massive role to play for Manuel Pellegrini’s side over the run-in.
The player ratings for FIFA 19 will be revealed over the next week with EA Sports counting down the game’s top 100 footballers each morning.
It’s been a rough start for new boss Manuel Pellegrini and West Ham in the Premier League, where the club has opened the new campaign with three consecutive defeats, but the Hammers took a positive step forward by beating League One side AFC Wimbledon in the second round of the EFL Cup Tuesday.