Sunday, February 3, 2008

GUARDADO GONE FOR MEXICO

Deportivo de La Coruña midfielder Andrés Guardado suffered a muscle injury this past weekend in his side's 1-0 win away to Betis, forcing his exclusion from Wednesday's match. He has been replaced by U-23 midfielder Cesar Villaluz. Guardado ended Mexico's eight-year goalless drought against the U.S. during last year's Gold Cup final, only to see the lead disappear following the finishes by Landon Donovan and Benny Feilhaber.

Much like for last year's match in Glendale, Ariz., Hugo Sanchez has called on a nearly full-strength side for the friendly against the United States. Causing a stir amongst the Mexican press is the inclusion of Antonio Naelson Zinha, a naturalized Mexican citizen. Sanchez was harshly critical of his predecessor for choosing to use non-native born players to represent Mexico. The Mexican players will be arriving into Houston during the next two days.

GOALKEEPERS: Luís Ernesto Michel (Chivas de Guadalajara), Moisés Muñoz (Morelia), Guillermo Ochoa (Club América)

DEFENDERS: Israel Castro (Pumas UNAM), Rafael Márquez (FC Barcelona), Johnny Magallón (Chivas de Guadalajara), Fausto Pinto (Pachuca), Oscar Rojas (Club América), Carlos Salcido (PSV Eindhoven)

MIDFIELDERS: Francisco Arce (Santos Laguna), Pavel Pardo (VFB Stuttgart), Gerardo Torrado (Cruz Azul), Antonio Naelson Zinha (Toluca), Cesar Villaluz (Cruz Azul)

FORWARDS: Adolfo Bautista (Jaguares Chiapas), Juan Carlos Cacho (Pachuca), Giovani Dos Santos (FC Barcelona), Antonio de Nigris (Ankaraspor), Carlos Vela (Osasuna)

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