Once again, it’s another friendly composed of nothing but local players, another mickey mouse friendly to be exact. However, Aguirre is giving Jonathan Dos Santos his first call up and hopefully, his first cap. All that speculation of Jonathan playing for Spain must finally stop! This is enough reason to be excited for this game, if you ask me.

One of the biggest surprises on the list: Braulio Luna. He’s back under Aguirre again and will be counted on once again for this friendly. A few other surprises: Patricio Araujo, Paul Aguilar, Enrique Esqueda and Javier Hernandez. Also glad to see Omar Arellano back. I’m also hoping Nestor Calderon finally gets his chance to play with el Tri.

As usual, don’t expect the “real” version of Mexico to be playing, despite 4-5 first teamers probably taking part in the match. It’s just another chance to rake in some cash warm up before the rest of the qualifiers next month, and to see el Tri in America!

Mexico: Jesus Corona; Efrain Juarez, Edgar Dueñas, Juan Carlos Valenzuela, Fausto Pinto (Israel Martinez); Alberto Medina, Israel Castro, Luis Miguel Noriega (Carlos Esquivel), Jose Maria Cardenas (Carlos Vela); Omar Bravo (Miguel Sabah), Omar Arellano (Pablo Barrera).

Guatemala: Ricardo Trigueño; Carlos Gallardo, Yony Wilson-Flores, Luis Rodriguez, Gustavo Cabrera; Fredy Thompson, Luis Bradley, Mynor Davila (Edgar Chinchilla), Miguel Fernandez, Jose Manuel Contreras (Cristian Noriega); Transito Montepeque (Selvin Joel Motta).

There was a period in the second half where Medina looked very dangerous and a Mexico goal looked like it was coming. Besides that, nothing.

Guatemala also had a legit claim for a penalty, but it was denied and they had a man sent off leaving them only with 10.

Overall, the anticipated debut of ‘Chuy’ Corona was good. He had a great moment where he came out and denied a player on a sure goal, but besides that he could have gone off and done something else. While at least this wasn’t a loss, I’m worried for upcoming games. That one play helped Corona’s cause in being #1, but more action for him would have perhaps helped.

Of course, this was a sort of makeshift line-up, not because anyone was injured, but because Aguirre was looking to experiment. There are some players that looked OK, but I don’t think this combination works very well.

While there are still some things to be worked on, finishing especially, things are coming together and hopefully will continue to advance for the Gold Cup that starts soon, and of course World Cup Qualifying.

Mexico:
Ochoa, Castro, Magallón, Rodríguez, Pinto, Torrado, Noriega, Martínez, Dos Santos, Vela, Sabah.

Venezuela: Romo, Salazar, Boada, Lleguez, Flores, Perozo, Rincón, Giorgi, Seijas, Moreno y Maldonado

It was Venezuela who first got off to a good start. In the 3rd minute Maldonado shot first giving a quick warning.

In the 15th they again had a chance with Moreno having a good opportunity. Had he made contact, they would’ve scored their first goal.

Then in the 17th minute Vela fell to the ground appealing for a penalty, but nothing was given.

Again, in the 20th Vela had a shot on goal, but it was too weak, and nothing came.

In the 24th Venezuela had one of the best opportunities when Ochoa was left alone with Giancarlo Maldonado, but he missed as Ochoa kicked it out with his left foot.

In the 33rd, Carlos Vela and Gio Dos Santos combined well, but the Venezuelan keeper managed to stop the shot with his boot.

Finally, in the last minute of regular time, Vela and Gio once again came together. Gio crossed in from the right for Vela who was past the goalkeeper and all he had to do was push the ball in to make the score 1-0.

It wasn’t long after the restart that Mexico once more got into scoring ways. In the 48th minute Giovani took care of making the score 2-0 by shooting from far out to curl over the keeper.

The in the 50th, Gio once more scored to make it 3-0 by coming up against the keeper and scoring. He had found his way through defenders and ignored an open Vela to set himself up and score.

Then in the 69th it was Venezuela who decided to have a shot. Moreno shot from far out and forced Ochoa into a fingertip save with his right hand.

In the 72nd Mexico decided to score once more. Omar Bravo came up the left and crossed to Omar Arellano who sent it through the legs of the keeper to make the score 4-0 for the night.

The 84th produced the last significant chance as Omar Arellano came close to scoring the 5th, but his shot went just wide.

Overall, I think that the team did well. They finally scored, and hopefully that gives them confidence.

Hopefully, the goals won’t dry up because the team hasn’t exactly been very prolific.

Giovani had the best game. He was involved in 3 of the 4 goals, scoring 2 himself. Unfortunately, the opposition wasn’t the highest, although they gave a good game and were physical at times which is what Mexico needs.

Ochoa looked confident, but then again he didn’t have much to do during this game, so I think that Aguirre should give Corona an opportunity to showcase himself on the national team.

The next game is on Sunday against Guatemala. It will also be a friendly, but these friendlies will hopefully help prepare the team for the Gold Cup which starts in July.

No. Name Club Position
1 Francisco Guillermo Ochoa América Goalkeeper
2 José de Jesús Corona Tecos UAG Goalkeeper
3 Oscar Rojas América Defender
4 Paúl Águilar Pachuca Defender
5 Leobardo López Pachuca Defender
6 Juan Carlos Valenzuela América Defender
7 Julio Cesar Domínguez Cruz Azul Defender
8 Hugo Ayala Atlas Defender
9 Edgar Castillo América Defender
10 Fausto Pinto Cruz Azul Defender
11 Israel Martínez San Luis Midfielder
12 Fernando Arce Santos Midfielder
13 Gerardo Torrado Cruz Azul Midfielder
14 Leandro Augusto UNAM Midfielder
15 Pavel Pardo América Midfielder
16 Luis Pérez Monterrey Midfielder
17 Antonio Naelson Sinha Toluca Midfielder
18 José María Cárdenas Pachuca Forward
19 Cesar Villaluz Cruz Azul Forward
20 Omar Bravo Tigres Forward
21 Vicente Matías Vuoso Santos Forward
22 Sergio Santana Toluca Forward

And because this is just a friendly match, no European based players have been called up.