Mexico are no doubt one of the dark horses of the tournament. The North American side have some good players in every position with a decent mix of youngsters and experienced players.
With this being the 100th edition of the Copa America both Mexico and the United states of America have been invited to be a part of this year’s tournament. The US are the hosts and have already lost their first game against Colombia.
Mexico will hope their first game will go a lot better than their neighbours’ did. Here is the list of the full 23-man squad
Goalkeepers: Guillermo Ochoa (Malaga), Jesus Corona (Cruz Azul), Alfredo Talavera (Toluca)
Defenders: Paul Aguilar (Club America), Miguel Layun (Porto), Rafael Marquez (Atlas), Diego Reyes (Real Sociedad), Nestor Araujo (Santos Laguna), Hector Moreno (PSV), Yasser Corona (Queretaro), Jorge Torres Nilo (Tigres), Jesus Molina (Santos Laguna)
Midfielders: Jesus Manuel Corona (Porto), Hector Herrera (Porto), Hirving Lozano (Pachuca), Andres Guardado (PSV), Carlos Pena (Chivas), Jurgen Damm (Tigres), Javier Aquino (Tigres), Jesus Duenas (Tigres)
Forwards: Javier Hernandez (Bayer Leverkusen), Raul Jimenez (Benfica), Oribe Peralta (Club America)
Here is how they might lineup:
Goalkeeper – Guillermo Ochoa
Everyone remembers Ochoa from his World Cup heroics from two years ago. The keeper has exceptional shot stopping ability and every big club were after him that year. He ended up joining Spanish side Malaga.
But the stopper hasn’t had much luck at domestic level since then. He has only made 11 appearances in 2 years struggling to make an impression on the coach at the club. But luckily for him, he is still first choice for Mexico.
Juan Carlos Osorio has faith in Ochoa and will most likely go with his number 1 for the tournament.
Defence
Paul Aguilar – Right back
Paul Aguilar is a veteran and an experienced right back, and it is very likely he will make the starting XI for the Copa once again. Aguilar has already reached a half century of appearances and will be looking to add to that number in the tournament.
Hector Moreno – Centre Back
Hector Moreno has always been a reliable player for his country. The 28-year-old formed an admirable partnership with veteran Rafael Marquez in the FIFA World Cup 2014. Marquez is unlikely to star given his age but Moreno will definitely get the nod.
Nestor Arujo – Centre back
With Rafael Marquez nearing the end of his career the 24-year-old Nestor Arujo has become an almost permanent fixture in Juan Carlos’s side. The pairing have not yet conceded in any of the World Cup qualifier games for 2018.
Miguel Layun – Left Back
Another player who has firmly cemented his place in the back four, Layun has experience playing in England and in Portugal. Layun has 32 caps to his name having scored three times in his international career.
Midfield
Andres Guardado – Left Midfield
Andres Guardado is one of the most experienced players in the Mexican squad. The PSV winger has 126 caps to his name and is still only 29. Guardado made his debut in 2005 and has 24 goals so far in his international career.
Hector Herrera – Right Midfield
Hector Herrera is also a player who will be difficult to drop. The Porto man has featured for the national side since 2013 with 41 appearances for the national team. Herrera has only scored thrice in his international career but is a crucial utility man for the team.
Diego Reyes – Central Midfield
Yet another player who formerly plied his trade in Portugal with Porto, Diego Reyes is a young and ever improving in the midfield role for the national team. Traditionally a centre half Reyes has adapted well to the holding role and will provide adequate cover for the defence
Forwards
Jesus Corona – Right Wing
Jesus Corona has impressed many in the last year or so and has forced his way into the national team. The winger has played for FC Twente and is currently part of the Porto team. He already has 20 caps to his name scoring 5 times
Raul Jimenez – Left Wing
Raul Jimenez is primarily a central forward but can also play on the left. With the main striker position mostly being taken up by Javier Hernandez, the Benfica man will take up the left flank role.
Javier Hernandez – Striker
Hernandez was known more as an impact player at Manchester united. But after his move to Bayer Leverkusen, the little pea has really exploded into life. Finishing as the 4th highest scorer in the Bundesliga he will be key to Mexico's hopes of winning the competition.
Formation
Mexico will mostly feature in their 4-3-3 formation. The back four have been very solid over the last few years now and will be difficult to break down. Guardado’s experience and wing play will make them a threat down the left wing.
Mexico have defeated the likes of Chile, Panama and Jamaica in recent games and also managed to hold last year’s Copa finalists Argentina to a draw. They are a formidable force to be reckoned with and with Hernandez leading the line they could even win the title.
