Call-Ups, Suspensions, Rankings and Bids, OH MY!

The much anticipated game in Columbus, Ohio is next week on February 11th, 2009. It’s against rivals the USofA and the first game in the hexagonal for the South African world cup. So who has Sven decided to call up this time?

No. Name Club Position
1. Oswaldo Sánchez Santos Goalkeeper
2. Francisco Guillermo Ochoa América Goalkeeper
3. José de Jesús Corona Tecos UAG Goalkeeper
4. Juan Carlos Valenzuela América Defender
5. Julio Cesar Domínguez Cruz Azul Defender
6. Carlos Salcido PSV Defender
7. Ricardo Osorio Stuttgart Defender
8. Rafael Márquez Barcelona Defender
9. Aarón Galindo Guadalajara Defender
10. Leobardo López Pachuca Defender
11. Fausto Pinto Cruz Azul Midfielder
12. Pavel Pardo América Midfielder
13. Leandro Augusto UNAM Midfielder
14. Luis Pérez Monterrey Midfielder
15. Israel Martínez San Luis Midfielder
16. Antonio Naelson Matías Toluca Midfielder
17. Alberto Medina Guadalajara Forward
18. Cesar Villaluz Cruz Azul Forward
19. Giovani Dos Santos Tottenham Forward
20. Vicente Matías Vuoso Santos Forward
21. Carlos Ochoa Guadalajara Forward
22. Nery Castillo Shakhtar Forward
23. Guillermo Franco Villareal Forward
24. Omar Bravo La Coruña Forward

Well, I have a few problems with this list. I don’t think that Aaron Galindo(Chivas), Cesar Villaluz(Cruz Azul), Giovanni Dos Santos(Tottenham), Nery Castillo(Shaktar), Guillermo Franco(Villarreal), or Omar Bravo(Deportivo) should have received calls. They’re out of favor with their clubs(Gio Dos Santos, Nery Castillo, Guillermo Franco, Omar Bravo), have just returned from injury (Aaron Galindo, Cesar Villaluz), and are all lacking good match sharpness at the moment. It feels like Sven is calling up the people that others want to see instead of the players that would be the best pick. But then again, he’s manager for a reason getting paid the big bucks, while I’m here writing about it.

Unfortunately, I don’t think this will get us much from team USA.

And if you’re wondering where Gerardo Torrado of Cruz Azul and Carlos Vela of Arsenal are at, do you remember the Honduras game? Getting sent off? Well, FEMEXFUT has laid down the law and both are suspended for 1 and 2 games respectively.

Also, a couple of Mexican teams have made the IFFHS club world ranking from February 2008 thru January 2009.
The highest placed was of course, Chivas de Guadalajara, with Atlas coming in next, followed by Cruz Azul close by, America, Santos and UNAM.
Team Points
49 Guadalajara México 150
74 Atlas México 133.5
76 Cruz Azul México 132.5
91 América México 123
127 Santos México 104.5
132 UNAM México 101

The overall first place was taken by Manchester United.

Finally, Mexico has put in bids to host either the World Cup 2018 or 2022. Good luck in getting that. Sincerely.

If they get chosen, you bet I’ll be down there.