Mexico Copa America roster snubbed key players

Mexico head coach Juan Carlos Osorio has decided to leave off some key players for their Copa America roster and their pre-tournament matches.

Mexico released their Copa America Centenario roster last night and the roster looks to be very strong, boasting the likes of Bayer Leverkusen striker Javier Hernandez, Andres Guardado, Hector Herrera and Jesus Corona. But what is most surprising is the players left off.

The roster features plenty of experienced players. The 37-year-old center back Rafa Marquez found his way into the lineup and will be a leader for this team. Other’s like keeper Jose Corona, 35, defender Paul Aguilar, 30, and striker Oribe Peralta, 32 are the oldest on the team.

Players left out are strikers Carlos Vela and Giovanni dos Santos, and midfielders Jonathan dos Santos and Marco Fabian. All were on the Copa America preliminary roster but failed to impress head coach Juan Carlos Osorio.

Vela was on the bubble. He didn’t have a good season with La Liga side Real Sociedad, as he only put up five goals in 35 matches, and has had trouble finding his way into the Mexican squad. He hasn’t played for the national team since a November 17th World Cup qualifying match against Honduras.

Dos Santos is an exception. The Los Angeles Galaxy striker has done well since he joined the Galaxy late last summer. He has five goals in seven matches so far this season and looks to be adjusting to MLS soccer. According to ESPN, dos Santos was invited to join the Copa America squad, but he turned it down. He hasn’t featured for Mexico since last summer’s CONCACAF Gold Cup.

As for his brother Jonathan, Osorio said in a news conference that he has struggled with injuries, which saw him miss two months with a thigh muscle strain.

Without these players, Mexico is still a difficult team to face, and will start their campaign with pre-tournament friendlies against Paraguay on May 28th, and Chile on June 1st. Their Copa America schedule will kick off on June 5 against Uruguay.

For more Mexico national team news, visit our soccer page.