Key points for Mexico ahead of the friendly against Wales
The team managed by Gerardo Martino will face Wales in their first exhibition match of the year ahead of the CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers.
The Mexican national team arrived in Cardiff on Monday and held their first training session ahead of their friendly game against Wales in Cardiff City's stadium on 23 March. This will be the first time Gerardo Martino has the complete roster in 2021 and it is important that he corrects all the little details ahead of the Gold Cup and CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers later this year.
The 26-man roster that Martino called for the FIFA international break of March will be the main core of the tournaments that ‘El Tri’ has to play this year. A few players will have two games in this international break to earn a spot for what is to come for Mexico this summer.
Henry Martín and Alan Pulido fighting for a spot
Mexico’s head coach Gerardo Martino has made it clear that Raúl Jiménez is the starting striker for him as long as he is in charge of the national team. Unfortunately the Wolves striker has been out since November after a head injury that required surgery. It is not known when Jiménez will return, but he joined the team in Cardiff because he started doing some field work in late February.
Alan Pulido (Sporting Kansas City) and Henry Martín (Club América) will fight for a spot in the final roster to give Raúl Jiménez a break when needed. Pulido had a breakout season in Major League Soccer and scored 7 goals, giving 5 assists in 9 appearances. On the other hand, Martín is also having a strong season with América this year and in 12 appearances he has scored 6 goals and given 2 assists. Both players will have the opportunity to prove themselves in this international break.
Efraín Álvarez
The Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder declined the invitation to play with the United States youth national team in the CONCACAF Olympic qualifying tournament that started on 18 March. He was in talks with Gerardo Martino during this whole year and he was called for the first time to the Mexico’s senior team. He has dual citizenship and he is still eligible to make the switch if he wants. This will be his first international experience and he hopes to make the best out of it.