Mexico and USMNT squads for Wednesday’s friendly in Arizona
Two players have withdrawn from Diego Cocca’s list for Wednesday’s Allstate Continental Clásico against the USMNT.
Mexico return to activity this week when they will face the United States in the first edition of the Allstate Continental Clásico - a friendly that will help coach Diego Cocca to shape his team ahead of major tournaments this summer.
Cocca’s team take on the USMNT at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Wednesday 19 April - however, the Argentine coach will not be able to count on players who are based at European clubs for the game, which is being played outside of FIFA’s international game calendar. He has called up players from local leagues for this friendly, which will serve as a warm-up for this summer’s tournaments - the CONCACAF Nations League and Gold Cup.
Two players cut from the list
Chivas forward Roberto Alvarado has been left out of the squad after complaining of muscular discomfort in the Liga MX Clausura 2023 Week 15 clash against León. América frontman Henry Martín won’t make the trip to the United States either for similar muscular problems.
The FMF have not confirmed whether other players will be called up to cover the absentees, although Diego Cocca is studying such a possibility even at late notice. This is the former Atlas coach’s first friendly match in charge of Mexico - his first games in the job, against Suriname and Jamaica were Nations League qualifiers.
A few days ago the draw for the Gold Cup was held, where Mexico was placed in Group B along with Haiti, Honduras and guests Qatar. After having failed to win the previous edition of the contest (they lost to the United States), Mexico, the eight-time winners are under pressure to lift the trophy this year. If Cocca fails to deliver, the criticism will begin...
As for the USMNT, coach Anthony Hudson has named a 23-man squad. Dallas midfielder Paxton Pomykal has been added to the roster after both Paul Arriola and Cristian Roldan withdrew from the list.
Four players could be handed their first cap in Wednesday’s friendly - Caleb Wiley, Josh Wynder, Drake Callender and Roman Celentano.
Mexico squad
Goalkeepers: Carlos Acevedo (Santos Laguna), Ángel Malagón (América), José Antonio “Tono” Rodríguez (Tijuana)
Defenders: Nestor Araújo (América), Kevin Álvarez (Pachuca), Julian Araújo (Barcelona), Jesús Gallardo (Monterrey), Víctor Guzmán (Monterrey), Israel Reyes (América), Gilberto Sepúlveda (Chivas), Omar Campos (Santos Laguna)
Midfielders: Fernando Beltrán (Chivas), Alan Cervantes (Santos Laguna), Luis Chávez (Pachuca), Aldo Rocha (Atlas), Carlos Rodríguez (Cruz Azul), Erick Sánchez (Pachuca)
Forwards: Uriel Antuna (Cruz Azul), Ozziel Herrera (Atlas), Alexis Vega (Chivas), Roberto de la Rosa (Pachuca).
USMNT squad
Goalkeepers: Drake Callender (Inter Miami), Roman Celentano (Cincinnati), Sean Johnson (Toronto FC).
Defenders: Sergiño Dest (AC Milan), Aaron Long (LAFC), Julian Gressel (Vancouver Whitecaps), Matt Miazga (Cincinnati), Shaq Moore (Nashville), Caleb Wiley (Atlanta United), Joshua Wynder (Louisville City), DeAndre Yedlin (Inter Miami), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville).
Midfielders: Kellyn Acosta (LAFC), Aidan Morris (Columbus Crew), Paxton Pomykal (Dallas), James Sands (New York City FC), Alan Soñora (Juárez), Jackson Yueill (San Jose Earthquakes).
Forwards: Cade Cowell (San Jose Earthquakes), Jesús Ferreira (Dallas), Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders), Brandon Vázquez (Cincinnati).