Goal.commentary: What El Tri's World Cup Roster May Look Like

Conejo Perez | Perez was the starter in '02 under Aguirre as he has history with El Vasco.

The Mexican defense has been pretty much defined by Javier Aguirre. Braulio Luna should have another crack at the World Cup and could fill in for Gerardo Torrado who is not the most consistent. Giovani Dos Santos and Andres Guardado should also have a secure place thanks to their performances.

There is speculation that Blanco might not make it to 2010 but his presence in attack is too important to leave out.

Carlos Vela should be receiving more time in the pitch for Arsenal this year and he will only improve.

Enrique Esqueda | La Paleta is on Aguirre's radar.

Esqueda has also seen his stock rise significantly with America and the national team. Javier Hernandez is on his way up. With a few national teams friendly’ under his belt he should be more than ready to compete in the World Cup.

Joel Aceves' roster

Goalkeepers: Guillermo Ochoa (America), Jose de Jesus Corona (Cruz Azul), Luis Michel (Chivas)

Defenders: Rafael Marquez (Barcelona), Carlos Salcido (PSV), Ricardo Osorio (Stuttgart), Efrain Juarez (Pumas), Hector Moreno (AZ Alkmaar), Johnny Magallon (Chivas), Fausto Pinto (Cruz Azul), Francisco Rodriguez (PSV).

Midfielders: Gerardo Torrado (Cruz Azul), Israel Castro (Pumas), Andres Guardado (Deportivo la Coruña), Pablo Barrera (Pumas), Giovani Dos Santos (Tottenham), Jonathan Dos Santos (Barcelona), Daniel Ludueña (Santos).

Strikers: Cuauhtémoc Blanco (Chicago Fire), Guillermo Franco (West Ham United), Carlos Vela (Arsenal), Enrique Esqueda (America), Nery Castillo (Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk).

Rationale: The Mexican squad I have chosen is very similar to the Squad that Javier Aguirre has been calling up for the Hexagonal. Every player on my list, with the exception of Daniel Ludueña, has received at least one cap. I feel Mexico needs an Ace up their sleeve and that would be el Hachita. The starting and back up goalkeeper positions remain the same. The only addition is Luis Michel who has proven to be very solid for Chivas.

At defense I decided to include Javier “Maza” Rodriguez who at 6-foot-3 adds a much needed dimension to the Tricolor’s backline. The midfield is where I have decided to go with two players that are not given much consideration.

Daniel Ludueña | El Hachita would boost Mexico's midfield.

Despite the controversy behind naturalized players I have decided to bring in Daniel Luduena. The Argentina midfielder has already expressed his desire to represent Mexico and he is the type of midfield maestro that the Tricolor lacks.

And then there is Jonathan Dos Santos. The Barcelona upstart will be mainly taken to gain invaluable experience with the national team.

At attack I decided to drop Miguel Sabah. I get the feeling that in the next six months the Morelia Striker will fizzle out. Esqueda on the other hand has shown an improvement in his play. Esqueda was also part of the U-17 squad that won the 2005 Youth World Cup.

Nery Castillo | Has played more for country than club in last two years.

I also have faith that Nery will recover just in time for the World Cup. In the event that Nery does not recover and Franco, who recently joined West Ham United, drops in form then I would replace them with Javier Hernandez and Omar Arellano.

Luis Bueno's roster

Goalkeepers: Guillermo Ochoa (America), Jesus Corona (Cruz Azul), Oscar Perez (Jaguares)

Defenders: Efrain Juarez (Pumas), Jose Antonio Castro (Tigres), Ricardo Osorio (Stuttgart), Jonny Magallon (Chivas), Rafael Marquez (Barcelona), Carlos Salcido (PSV), Edgar Duenas (Toluca), Paul Aguilar (Pachuca), Oscar Rojas (America)

Midfielders: Gerardo Torrado (Pumas), Israel Castro (Pumas), Andres Guardado (Deportivo la Coruña), Pablo Barrera (Pumas), Giovani Dos Santos (Tottenham)

Forwards: Cuauhtemoc Blanco (Chicago Fire), Guillermo Franco (West Ham United), Carlos Vela (Arsenal), Miguel Sabah (Morelia), Enrique Esqueda (America), Omar Arellano (Chivas)

Rationale: Selecting Mexico's roster for the 2010 World Cup will be a difficult task for Javier Aguirre, but when the dust settles this should be the squad that represents El Tri in South Africa.

Oscar Perez is the only questionable selection in the goalkeeping position but the veteran gets the nod over Luis Ernesto Michel due to his experience.

On defense, this is without a doubt Mexico's deepest unit. The veterans are back and ready to help out, but in case of injury or suspension there is plenty of talent. Paul Aguilar and Oscar Rojas make the list because they provide the depth necessary to contribute if called upon. Rojas has a scorer's touch and Aguirre has shown confidence in him.

Edgar Dueñas | From Nemesio Diez to Jo'burg?

Hector Moreno is a talent but hasn't quite broken through yet, and Toluca's Edgar Dueñas moves ahead of him due to his own ability and performances with one of the best clubs in Mexico.

The midfield appears thin only because of the number of bodies but several players, such as Efrain Juarez, are adept at several positions. Giovani Dos Santos makes it, of course, but his brother does not. Any player on the roster must be able to step in and contribute, and frankly there are issues with a second-division player stepping in at the World Cup and contributing. If Jona can break through with Barcelona's first team between now and next spring, maybe that changes but until then, no second-division players on the World Cup roster.

Blanco must only remain healthy... scratch that... have a pulse in order to make the roster. Franco and Vela are locks and Sabah is the kind of scrappy player that can come off the bench and make an impact. Esqueda and Arellano round out the forwards, ahead of Javier Hernandez and Toluca's duo of Nestor Calderon and Carlos Esquivel. Nery Castillo would potentially create more distractions and headaches than he is worth.

Andrea Martinez's roster

Goalkeepers: Guillermo Ochoa (America), Jesus Corona (Cruz Azul).

Defenders: Rafael Marquez (Barcelona), Carlos Salcido (PSV), Ricardo Osorio (Stuttgart), Hector Moreno (AZ Alkaamar), Efrain Juarez (Pumas), Johnny Magallon (Chivas), Jose Antonio Castro (Tigres), Aaron Galindo (Chivas)

Midfielders: Gerardo Torrado (Cruz Azul), Israel Castro (Pumas), Andres Guardado (Deportivo La Coruña), Pablo Barrera (Pumas), Sinha (Toluca), Jonathan Dos Santos (Barcelona B)  

Forwards: Cuauhtemoc Blanco (Chicago Fire), Giovani Dos Santos (Tottenham), Carlos Vela (Arsenal), Guillermo Franco (West Ham United), Miguel Sabah (Morelia), Enrique Esqueda (America), Omar Arellano (Chivas).

Rationale: Mexico has fine goalkeepers prepared for the World Cup and it’s difficult to argue that either Ochoa or Corona would be left off the roster. Aguirre won’t take anyone else in that area, and although Oscar ‘Conejo’ Perez has been a favorite of the Mexican coach the time has for the two young talents to stake their claims.  

Aaron Galindo | Ponte la verde, Aaron.

Unfortunately in defense Mexico has more problems at times. Several defenders have teams that are generally sinking in the table, if they play at all. Aguirre has consistently used the same set in the back and the only addition that should be included, but has been recently been absent from the list, is Aaron Galindo. Galindo often gives terrible performances in the Chivas shirt, but seems to improve when he puts on the verde.  

It seems like Aguirre has a basic base for the national team, but he should add Sinha and Jonathan Dos Santos to the midfield. It’s obvious that Aguirre doesn’t consider Sinha for the games, but he should be chosen because he can still provide for the national team.

Sinha | World Cup 2006 vet would help Mexico out in World Cup again.

Toluca is constantly on top of the Mexican league and it’s largely thanks to Sinha. Another player that he should include is Jonathan Dos Santos.

Although the younger Dos Santos may not have as much of an influence on the national team the experience in South Africa would mature him in other ways. He should be included in the squad in a similar fashion to Theo Walcott with England in 2006 and get the experience. Jonathan Dos Santos has stated that his wish is to play for Mexico so it wouldn’t be to tie the player down; simply he’d grow by being at the competition just like he improves by being included in Barcelona’s main squad.

Up top has been well defined by Aguirre. A certain set of players have been chosen since summer and that has worked out well for the manager. New additions should be Enrique Esqueda who has made his case in recent games.

Omar Arellano | Youngster's development has been hampered by injuries.

The other is Omar Arellano. When Arellano is healthy he is spectacular. Unfortunately, he also seems to get injured every other game he participates in, but he would add another dimension to the team. Missing according to recent games? Palencia. Aguirre’s call on the veteran Pumas player has given results to the national team, but despite the performances Mexico does not need another older player to rely on during the World Cup.

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