Jun 14, 2024, 6:28 PM ET
At ESPN we put together an eleven with great players, almost all of them from the local environment, who will not be defending the green, white and red colors in the United States
The technical director of the Mexican National Team, Jaime Lozanosurprised national soccer when he announced his list for the America Cup with the banner of ‘generational change’. Players with European experience, at an optimal age or in a good moment were left without options to play in a tournament as important as the continental competition.
In ESPN We put together an eleven with great players, almost all of them from the local environment, who will not be defending the green, white and red colors in the United States
The goalkeeper of America He arrived with all the requirements (experience, two-time champion, accustomed to pressure and starter of a large team) to be Mexico’s number in the Copa América, but a muscle injury to his biceps that lasted a month ended his intentions to compete. taking over the Tricolor goal after a very long period of Guillermo Ochoa, who was also not called up to cover Malagón’s loss. Santos goalkeeper Carlos Acevedo was called up in his place.
The new player from Toluca experienced a complicated Liguilla after failing a clear play in favor of Monterrey, a team that decided to release him after winning everything possible in six years. The arrival of Gerardo Arteaga to Rayados also affected his continuity on the left wing, although he played as a midfielder and winger in recent days. The generational change that Lozano intends in El Tri also left Gallardo out of the national team, where Arteaga will have to take advantage to ensure himself as the undisputed starter or leave the doubt about whether it was correct to leave out one of the best Mexicans in the last two World Cups.
The ‘Titan’ Salcedo is back at the highest level of Mexican soccer, however, it was insufficient to return to the national team. After experiencing his worst seasons with Toronto, Juárez and his first season with Cruz Azul, Salcedo raised his level until he became the undisputed starter and reference for the defense of Cruz Azul, a team that lost the final against América. A Pokal trophy in German football and the victory against Germany in a World Cup support the record of the 30-year-old defender.
At 22 years old and with more than 100 games in the first division, one of the greatest promises of Mexican soccer at a defensive level was cut at the last minute by coach Jaime Lozano. He started the entire season with Rayados, partnering with the historic Héctor Moreno, who helped him grow in all aspects. He started his career with the Xolos de Tijuana, where he also established himself as an important player, so much so that Monterrey decided to buy him. His performance against Uruguay was not the best, but to be honest, only Orbelín Pineda was up to par, the rest little or nothing.
With very little he was the best Mexican full-back in the European leagues after the return of Gerardo Arteaga and the almost non-existent participation of Jorge Sánchez. Barcelona, owner of his card, loaned him to Las Palmas, where he participated in 25 games and helped save the team from relegation. During the summer, the new culé coach Hansi Flick will try to fill his eye to earn a place for the new season and a new call to the national team.
Upon his arrival at Chivas he promised more, but injuries and his low level of play caused criticism and he lost his place on the national team. Jaime Lozano did not even include him in the first list of 32 players for the Copa América, something that was surprising, since his great season with Chivas invited a new opportunity with the ‘green’.
One of the best players in Liga MX in the last two seasons, a veteran midfielder who revived his career at age 34 after thinking about retirement. The arrival of André Jardine to América revitalized the youngest of the Dos Santos, who became the starter, captain and reference of a team that was crowned two-time champion. His current level allowed him to compete for a place in the national team, however, ‘Jona’ himself said that that chapter is closed.
Playing for Tigres as a Mexican is not easy, the power of investment that the team from the north of the country makes every six months is overwhelming for the national talent, who often watches as a foreigner takes his place. The arrival of Lainez made it seem like his decision was wrong again after preferring Betis over Ajax, however, that was not the case and he was even champion. In the feline institution he grew as a player: he makes better decisions with and without the ball, his sacrifice improved, he has more access from behind and now he is a factor on the scoreboard. He was called up by Lozano, but had to ‘leave’ due to an injury.
‘Chucky’, the diabolical doll, is no longer so diabolical, although he is still one of the best that Mexican soccer has. Over the years he has lost speed, he was never a born leader and his loss of play at PSV (where he arrived as a figure and did not even start in important moments) could have influenced his non-call by ‘Jimmy’ Lozano . At 28 years old, everyone thought that he would play in the Copa América in the United States, since he had been a starter for the national team and because his age did not lead to thinking that he would be sacrificed under the pretext of ‘generational change’.
Perhaps the absence that makes the most noise in the Mexican National Team is that of Herny Martín. What else is needed to be called up to Tri? Nine starters for América, two-time champion and in great moment, incredibly this was not enough for Henry to occupy a place in the Tricolor squad. He highlights that ‘a generational change’ is being sought in the national team, but there is an inconsistency, striker Guillermo Martínez from Pumas was called up at 29 years old and Henry Martín is only two years older, 31.
He is not the striker he used to be and perhaps he never will be, but Mexico does not have the luxury of not using a Premier League striker. He closed the season in optimal physical condition and with a double that perhaps assured him another season in English football. It seems incredible that Jaime Lozano takes a 29-year-old veteran striker who exploded late and who barely has 30 goals in the first division, like Guillermo Martínez and that America’s ‘9’ and the only ‘9’ that Mexico has in the best world league.
