Mexico Coach Miguel Herrera Solidifies 2015 Copa America Roster; Javier Hernandez Left Off Squad
The 2014 FIFA World Cup may be over, but the biggest soccer tournament in South America is looming.
The 2015 Copa America will be played in Chile this year for the first time since 1991, when Argentina won it all against their fierce rival Brazil. Mexico is one of the rising young squads in Latin America, and head coach Miguel Herrera recently solidifed his team for the South American tournament.
Mexico's squad for the Copa America is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Jesus Corona, Alfredo Talavera, Meliton Hernandez
Defenders: George Corral, Gerry Flores, Rafa Marquez, Hugo Ayala, Julio Dominguez, Carlos Salcedo, Miguel Herrera, Adrian Aldrete, Efrain Velarde
Midfielders: Mario Osuna, Juan Carlos Medina, Javier Guemez, Jesus Corona, Javier Aquino, Luis Montes, Marco Fabian
Forwards: Raul Jimenez, Eduardo Herrera, Enrique Esqueda, Matias Vuoso
That's a good balanced quad, but the big name missing is obviously forward Javier Hernandez. The Real Madrid star will not be playing at the Copa America because he will be resting for the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Although Mexico is located in North America, they will be participating in both the Copa America and the Gold Cup this upcoming summer.
The Copa America will begin on June 11 with Chile and Ecuador facing off. The Gold Cup will begin on July 7 with the United States playing Honduras and Panama playing Haiti. The Mexican women will also be competing at the 2015 FIFA World Cup in Canada, so it's pretty safe to say this summer will be one of the biggest in Mexican soccer history.
For the Copa America, Mexico has been placed in Group A with Chile, Ecuador and Bolivia. Mexico has never won the Copa America before, but they did place second in 1993 and 2001, losing to Argentina and Colombia respectively. Last Copa America, in 2011, was very disappointing for Mexico as they placed last in Group C, losing all three games against Chile, Uruguay and Peru.
Other notable players such as Carlos Vela, Ochoa, Hector Herrera, Andres Guardado, Giovani dos Santos and Jonathan dos Santos were also not included on the Copa America roster. Coach Herrera is not forfeiting the Copa America tournament already, but there's no doubt that he is putting a lot more emphasis on the Gold Cup this summer.
Goalkeeper Jesus Corona is scheduled to start in net for both the Copa America and the Gold Cup for Mexico. Atletico Madrid star Raul Jimenez will be leading the offense without Chicharito on the field. Jimenez is just 24 years old, but he has a great chance to make a name for himself in this competition.
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