Mexico provisional roster keeps World Cup hope alive for Marcel Ruiz, Richy Ledezma
Mexico manager Javier Aguirre named his 55-man provisional World Cup roster this week, with Hirving Lozano and Rodrigo Huescas among the notable absences.
Mexico has released manager Javier Aguirre's provisional roster for the World Cup, naming a full 55 players for the list, which must be trimmed to 26 names by June 1. El Tri's star names are all present, with Raul Jimenez up top, teenage sensation Gilberto Mora in the midfield, center-back pairing Johan Vasquez and Cesar Montes, and World Cup legend Guillermo Ochoa in goal. So, too, are players like Chivas goalkeeper Raul Rangel, who is expected to start over Ochoa, Rangel's club teammate Armando "Hormiga" Gonzalez and Toluca playmaker Alexis Vega.
Absent are a pair of players who will miss the World Cup for different reasons. FC Copenhagen right back Rodrigo Huescas hoped to recover from an October ACL tear in time to make the squad, but is yet to return to the field for his club team and is not on this list. San Diego FC attacker Hirving Lozano is fit but hasn't played in months for the MLS team because of an internal dispute.
Out of rhythm, Aguirre left the 2018 World Cup goalscorer off the provisional squad. Which Mexico players are returning from injury? While the tournament comes too soon for Huescas, several players returning from injury have made the squad.
Edson Alvarez, listed as a defender though he also can play in the midfield, is still working back from injuries suffered with Fenerbahçe. He recently returned to the field in Turkey for a short cameo in a league game. Fulback Julian Araujo is yet to return from an injury suffered playing for Celtic in March.