Diego Cocca could hand youth stars senior debut for Mexico
Along with Luis Malagón, Omar Campos and Víctor Guzmán will be called up by Mexico for the upcoming friendly against the United States.
Mexico warm up for this summer’s CONCACAF Nations League with a friendly against the side they will meet in the semi-final. El Tri are due to face the United States on Wednesday 19 April in Arizona. However, as it is not an official FIFA date, clubs are not obliged to lend their players, so coach Diego Cocca will have to use whoever is available, calling players from Liga MX clubs or other, local leagues.
According to Claro Sports, the Argentine coach will call up Santos Laguna left-back Omar Campos and Monterrey centre-back Víctor Guzmán for the USMNT game. Aged 20 and 21 respectively, it is a clear sign that the strategist is thinking of a generational change leading up to the next World Cup which Mexico will co-host with Canada and the US.
Campos has been a regular feature in Santos Laguna’s starting XI this season, playing in all 14 games so far. Guzmán too has been a regular in Rayado’s back four - he has missed just one game in the Clausura 2023, the Week 2 clash with Cruz Azul which he watched from the bench.
Tigres unable to lend players
Tigres have announced that they are not able to let any of their players join up with the Mexico squad due to their commitments in the Liga MX. The team, sat seventh in the table have a crucial meeting with Puebla just a few days later and so were not willing to free up Diego Lainez, Jesús Angulo and Sebastián Córdova for the Mexico friendly.
Contrary to the above reports, Diario Récord claims that Víctor Guzmán will not be called up but Fernando Beltrán and Roberto Alvarado will.