Mexican Players Make Their Case to be Included in World Cup Roster

By: Jonny Rico
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The forgettable Memorial Day scoreless draw was not what the Mexican National Team were expecting from their World Cup sendoff match in the U.S. Nonetheless, the game at the Rose Bowl on Monday night could have decided the fate of whether or not a handful of players will go to Russia or stay or stay home and prepare for next season.

Manager Juan Carlos Osorio currently has a 28-man roster and will have to cut five players before traveling to the World Cup.

“Today we gave some of the fringe players who don’t normally see first team action with the National Team a chance. I think everyone performed well today and hopefully those who play against Scotland will also have a good game.” — Juan Carlos Osorio

Players who made a case for being included in the final list:

Edson Alvarez – The 20-year old played the full 90 minutes against Wales in two different positions. He started off the game as a right-back and was later asked to play defensive midfielder when Carlos Salcedo replaced Jesus Molina. The Club America youngster can also play in his natural position of center-back. The versatility that Alvarez offers in different positions is key, especially when there are injury concerns in a number of positions.

Erik Gutierrez – The Pachuca midfielder stepped into the position of injured Mexico captain Andres Guardado and played a good game. He put in dangerous passes to the forwards that nearly resulted in goals. With Guardado’s injury concern, Gutierrez looks like a suitable back-up.

Hugo Ayala – Earlier this month it was announced that Club Santos defender Nestor Araujo, a rare regular face in an ever rotating Osorio lineup, would have to miss the World Cup due to injury. On Monday night the Tigres UANL defender made a strong case to being Araujo’s replacement. There was little danger created by Wales, but the Ayala did make a key sliding tackle in the early minutes of the match preventing a one-on-one shot against the Mexican goalkeeper.

Players who are at risk of being left out:

Jurgen Damm – The Tigres winger has been growing a reputation for dribbling to the end line and sending in bad crosses. His speed down the wings make him a dangerous threat to any defense but his lack of precision has started to cause him to lose minutes with his club and now even miss the World Cup. Mexico has a lot of quality in the attacking wings with players like Jesus ‘Tecatito‘ Corona, Hirving Lozano, Javier Aquino and even Carlos Vela and Giovani Dos Santos. Jurgen Damm needed to put in a good performance in Monday to impress Juan Carlos Osorio and he did not do that. Damm came in at halftime and rarely made his presence felt in the 45 minutes he was given.

Jesus Gallardo – Like Jurgen Damm, Gallardo failed to make his presence felt in the Monday night game against Wales. But luckily for him there is not as much competition in the outside-back position as there is for Damm in the attacking winger position. Miguel Layun, who is carrying an injury doubt is the only natural outside back besides Gallardo. But if other position become too close to call Gallardo’s name might be considered for the chopping block.

Players who are still uncertain:

Giovani dos Santos – Mexican fans were not thrilled when Gio decided to leave European football to join the LA Galaxy in MLS. It is the popular opinion of the Mexican fan that Giovani no longer deserves a spot on the World Cup squad. But dos Santos still carries a lot of favor with Juan Carlos Osorio. The Colombian manager gave the former Barcelona youth product 21 minutes on Monday. Gio tried to set the pace in the middle of the Mexican attack and distribute the ball across for his teammates. But the Wales defense had already bunkered in and made things difficult for the whole Mexican attack.  The Galaxy attacker will have to proof his worth against Scotland on Saturday evening at Estadio Azteca if he wants to make the final cut.

Oswaldo Alanis – The former Chivas defender did not make the 28-man roster but was only added after Nestor Araujo was ruled out. With positive performances by Hugo Ayala and Edson Alvarez it is starting look like Alanis will be one of the five to be cut from the final list.