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Who are the definite starters?

June 5th, 2006 | By: John | 13 Comments »

After 3 1/2 years, 70 games, and more than 90 capped players, it has come down to this last week of preparation, and if you are like me, you have no idea who will be lining up on Sunday when Mexico meet Iran.

I can only count on 4 players as sure fire starters: Oswaldo Sanchez, Ricardo Osorio, Rafael Marquez and Carlos Salcido. Of the remaining 16 outfield players, there are a few whose cement is about to set: Pavel Pardo, Gonzalo Pineda, Gringo Castro.

So, that leaves the remaining 4 positions: 2 Midfielders and 2 strikers. I want to preface my choices by saying that I fully expect 2 of the 3 subs to fill out these groups, with the last sub being Claudio Suarez.

Mid — Ramon Morales, Zinha, Luis Perez, Jesus Arellano, Andres Guardado. I expect Ramoncito to start with the young Guardado coming in at halftime. Guardado may even start. Zinha got some confidence playing against the Göttingen team, so I expect him to start. The Cabrito is relegated to bench duty, and will be a situational sub. If Mexico is leading, he won’t play.

Forwards — There is no reason to beleive that Franco and Borgetti won’t get the nod despite the recent play of both Bravo and Fonseca. I could see La Volpe throwing either of the latter in at Midfield if Zinha’s fitness is not 100%.
Franco has been getting trashed lately for his poor play,and he has looked shaky. But one play last Saturday showed his value to the team: he passed off to Bravo for the easy 1st goal. Selfless and striker are 2 words you never see in the same sentence. He will be a Mexico’s set up man.

So based on my thought pattern, I see this group taking the field vs. Iran on Sunday

Sanchez

Castro Marquez Osorio Salcido Pineda

Zinha Pardo Morales

Franco

Borgetti

Bench
Corona
Suarez
Maza
Guardado
Bravo
Kikin
Torrado

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Comments

By Luis Carlos | June 5th, 2006 at 11:18 am

I’m still not sure on Franco, we’ll probably know by Tuesday.

Torrado could also start

Posted from Mexico

By Noe | June 5th, 2006 at 11:25 am

UgHHH not el MAZA we cant have him in there and no Chikis i dont like him either mexico should have the same formation they did against netherlands but lavolpe shouldnt make that many changes like he did against the netherlands he messed up the whole formation it should be: Borgetti, Bravo, Kikin, and Franco just like the netherlands game…

Posted from United States

By El Aclantista | June 5th, 2006 at 11:34 am

I think Torrado and Ramoncito should start in midfield but Lavolpe is probably going with Cihna I just hope he’s ready for the challenge.
Franco will be alright he’s a scrappy player and he’ll be hustling against Iran.I’m confident of El Tri next Sunday.

Posted from United States

By Rene | June 5th, 2006 at 11:39 am

Oswaldo

Gringo, Marquez, Osorio, Salcido, Pineda

Bravo, Pardo, Ramoncito

Franco

Borgetti

By Rene | June 5th, 2006 at 11:44 am

Also, the most likely subs during the match:

Guardado for either Pineda or Ramoncito

Kikin for Franco, with Bravo becoming that 9 1/2 and Kikin taking Bravo’s place on the right side of the midfield.

Torrado for Pardo.

X-Factor: Arellano subbing Borgetti, making either Franco or Bravo become the main striker. That would only happen if Borgetti is really playing poorly.

By alvarado | June 5th, 2006 at 11:45 am

I do not know who the starters are but there a a few players who have been looking real suspect and should not deserve a place in the starting line-up.

Castro on the wing looks weak offensively/defensively. He gets pushed off the ball too easliy and is not getting any crosses in to the box.
Zinha, I think he is not fully recovered from his injury and is not making anything happen offensively as the “creative midfielder” that he is supposed to be.
Franco looks shaky, perhaps still injured. Against the amateur team he set up Bravo nicely but Fonseca looked alot sharper on his goal and in better form. I still think a Borgetti/Fonseca formation or Bravo/Fonseca duo is better than Franco. Guardado tucked in behind them would work better than Zinha I think. I like the idea of Torrado starting. He is great a ball recovery and has good vision with a lethal shot.
Any thoughts?

Posted from Canada

By Rene | June 5th, 2006 at 11:46 am

I don’t know, I think Gringo has been doing great, except with setting up pieces when moving forward, but he usually is great at marking and making up lost ground when someone got a pass behind him.

By Davizinho | June 5th, 2006 at 1:48 pm

i like how el gringo plays…mostly because hes a hustler..sometimes when you dont have such a skilled team, you just need hustlers…and I truly think el gringo has skill and ‘ganas. If he just gets a good cross in the box, and develops a better shot…he’d be great player…Bravo is a hustler too, and I like him on the right side. He can set up good crosses and hes proven himself capable of finishing…he just has to be consistent with his execution. IT just seems like Mexico has more of an offense when hes in the game.

Guardado..now thats the guy I want to see on the field. Hes young, yes, but hes a strong and skilled fella. An Athlete.

I always like Luis Perez but he hasn’t been able to shine on the squad. He is a small dude. Will Luis play?

Posted from United States

By Daniel | June 5th, 2006 at 9:56 pm

NO FRANCO!!! Bravo could be a great difference maker off the bench

Posted from United States

By Louie | June 5th, 2006 at 10:40 pm

everyone needs to shut up about the whole Franco thing.. It is really getting dumb. I’m glad that he is playing his butt of for us. Look at it this way, IF it was blaco doing the same stuff that he was doing, Falling and diving, everyone would say he was giving it his all, that he is always a fighter and a hustler. it’s only because he is from argentina. Face it people, la volpe likes him. I like him, many people like him. His teamates like him, his Mom likes him he likes him self…

He will do fine.. Now zhina, there’s someone we should worry about…

Posted from United States

By El Aclantista | June 6th, 2006 at 2:40 pm

This is the “starting” lineup that practiced in Gottingen today:
GK:Osvaldo
Defenders:Márquez, Ricardo Osorio, Carlos Salcido and Pineda
Midfield: Pardo, Gerardo Torrado and Ramóncito
Strikers: Borgetti, Guillermo Franco and Omar Bravo
I like this lineup seems pretty aggresive and I won’t mind if this is the starting 11 vs Iran.What do you guys think?
Chiquis anyone?lol

Posted from United States

By Big-Baller-Shot-Caller | June 6th, 2006 at 3:33 pm

Kikin Fonseca over Guille Franco. Any day of the week, against anybody, anywhere.

Kikin is one of the most prolific scorers in national team history over a short period of time. Kikin has earned the start. Kikin is a warrior who feels the colors of the shirt and produces. Played well in the confederations, played well in qualifying, played well with his club.

Nothing against Franco, but his recent play speaks for itself, With the national team he has not shown well. He’ll get a lot of opportunities this world cup and hopefully he can get it going. Maybe needs to wear different cleats because he is always on the ground.

Posted from United States

By Joe | June 10th, 2006 at 8:23 pm

Oswaldo

Gringo, Marquez, Osorio, Salcido, Pineda

Bravo, Pardo, Ramoncito

Franco

Borgetti
this is a good line up for tomorrows game mexico 3-0

Posted from United States

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