UPDATE: Lozano, Jimenez headline XI; Carlos Rodriguez debuts
It's time for a new era in Mexican soccer.
Tata Martino makes his debut as El Tri manager Friday with a matchup against Chile.
His top priority is establishing a style of play, and he hinted heavily that he'll start out with a 4-3-3 formation that suits Mexico's personnel well.
Here are three potential lineups Martino could deploy against La Roja - a team that has troubled both Martino personally and Mexico as a whole in the past.:
4-3-3 with Brizuela wide
Jesus "Tecatito" Corona staying away from the national team has left one obvious hole in the 4-3-3. While there's depth on the back line and several options in the midfield, there's not as much depth on the wing as there typically is for the national team.
The big question is who will line up on the wing opposite Hirving Lozano. In this lineup, it's Chivas winger Isaac Brizuela stepping into the role. The 28-year-old has international experience and has shown his quality in Guadalajara the past couple of tournaments. This game could be a chance for him to break out.
Even more untested is Carlos Rodriguez in the midfield, but Martino has taken a liking to the Monterrey midfielder. It appears his stint in Europe served him well and the 22-year-old is in line for his senior debut this time around.
Elsewhere, Guillermo Ochoa starts in goal behind a center-back pairing of Nestor Araujo and Hector Moreno. Carlos Salcedo also could start - and even could play as a fullback. For now, though, World Cup veteran Jesus Gallardo moves in at left back with Miguel Layun on the right. Andres Guardado plays as the interior midfielder on the left with Edson Alvarez able to play central midfield and also drop into the back line, as Martino mentioned was a strength of the 4-3-3.
Up top, Raul Jimenez wins the battle over Chicharito for the start.
Pizarro getting the nod
This lineup is slightly different, with Rodriguez moving into the center spot and Victor Guzman playing in the midfield. The Pachuca prospect stood out for Mexico during the matches overseen by interim manager Ricardo "Tuca" Ferretti and is having a good tournament with Tuzos now that he's been put into a spot as a two-way midfielder rather than being shuffled around on the field.
Luis "Chaka" Rodriguez will be an option at right back, and it's possible Gallardo makes way for Layun or even that one of the Monterrey men moves further up the field with both able to play as a winger if needed.
This Xi also sees Rodolfo Pizarro get an opportunity. Brizuela's former teammate would tuck in more often, moving outside in to create chances for Jimenez and Lozano. It even could end up looking like the 3-5-2 Martino used with Atlanta at times, with Pizarro playing in a similar role as that of Miguel Almiron and Rodriguez and Gallardo taking turns in a more advanced position.
Formation change
Speaking of different formations, Mexico also could use Pizarro as a more fixed No. 10 and put two central midfielders behind him. A number of players on the current roster could play the 6, but Jose Juan "Gallito" Vazquez is the player in this group who seems best suited for the task. Guzman would fit in well next to him.
Brizuela comes back in playing on the wing again. The defense, again, could shift with Salcedo stepping in or one of the other fullback options coming in.
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