Vasco and his staff have announced which LigaMX players they are taking to the World Cup and I have some thoughts….
A lot of the roster was expected but Vasco did have some surprises for us and clues to the rest of the roster…
- Biggest surprise has to be Guillermo Martinez making it. This has to make Santiago Gimenez and German Berterame uneasy.
- If you listen to his interviews and press conferences, it isn’t shocking that Vasco is leaving Richy Ledezma at home. For all the offensive power he can provide, Vasco does not think he can defend at the international level.
- The last keeper position comes down to Guillermo Ochoa and…. I guess Alex Padilla? Not sure what other Mexican keepers are playing abroad. So expect Ochoa to make his 6th World Cup.
- No Everardo Lopez means Johan Vasquez does not have a true back up aka a left footed centerback. With Cesar Montes and Vasquez the only “true CBs”, Vasco has to be planning on using Israel Reyes, Erik Lira, Edson Alvarez and maybe even Luis Romo as possible options. Of course, this could also mean Mexico plays a 3 CB system with a libero.
- The Charly Rodriguez era is over. Lets all rejoice and quickly move on.
- The lack of a 2nd domestic LB should mean Mateo Chavez will be on the final roster. I expect Jorge Sanchez will be as well unless Rodrigo Huescas is fully healthy or Julian Araujo makes a late push.
- Gutted for Marcel Ruiz to miss the World Cup but he should get another shot in 2030 and taking the summer off will give his knee time to heal.
Time to update my World Cup roster predictions:
I believe this is the pool of players that will make up Mexico’s 26 man roster. I think 2 of the 4 names in red will take up the last 2 roster spots.