Squad named for Paraguay Friendly

March 24th, 2006 | by: John | View Comments

The list of players has been released for Mexico’s upcoming game for Paraguay. The consensus among followers: ??? While some of the usual suspects were named to the team, the inclusion of some other players is, well, puzzling. Read on for the full list.

Goalkeepers
Oswaldo Sánchez
José de Jesús Corona
No Surprise here. Look for Memo Ochoa to be the third keeper on the final list. Sanchez is coming out of his Korea-induced slump, and looked great earlier in the week vs. São Paulo.

Defenders
Francisco J. “Maza” Rodríguez
Duilio Davino
Joel Huiqui
Mario Méndez
Claudio Suárez
José Antonio Castro
Maza makes his customary return. Mario Mendez is back, and considering he currently resides on the Rayados pine, it means Lavolpe has not found his right flanker yet. Davino returns, but any Americanista knows that Dulio is going through a rough patch. I guess the emperador was called up to add to his cap record, I guess.

Midfielders
Gonzalo Pineda
José Andrés Guardado
Israel López
Luis Pérez
Gerardo Torrado
Rafael García
No Cabrito, no Cuauh, but Israel López returns, as does Chiquis García. Why? Looking to see if they can make it as back-ups. Guardado, Pérez, Pineda, and Torrado are locks to go to Germany.

Forwards
Omar Bravo
Daniel Osorno
Francisco Fonseca
Jared Borgetti*
Omar Bravo is making a strong case to be named to the team. It looks like Lavolpe is giving his old pal Osorno one last shot for glory. Kikin Fonseca and Borgetti are going to Germany no matter what. It seems that Borgetti has not quite gotten final approval to go to Chicago ,as I had stated earlier in the week. If he cannot make it, then he will be replaced by Alberto “el venado” Medina.

Considering Lavolpe will name his team the week after this game, some of his choices are a little bizarre. He will undoubtedly get criticized for not taking the opportunity to field his first teamers, etc. etc. He has stated publicly that he needs another creative midfielder and a right flanker. His desperation is evident when you see the names on this list.