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Giovani dos Santos rejoins Mexican national team

Photo by Gary A. Vasquez/USA Today Sports
Photo by Gary A. Vasquez/USA Today Sports

After an extended absence from the Mexican National Team, Gio dos Santos is back in the fold.

The LA Galaxy star joined several familiar faces brought in by head coach Juan Carlos Osorio after extended absences, with ‘El Tri’ set to play friendlies against Panama and New  Zealand.

Gio and Jonathan dos Santos, along with Alan Pulido and Marco Fabian are the four returnees named to the squad for Mexico’s October friendlies.

Gio dos Santos has been in stellar form for the LA Galaxy, recording five goals and four assists in his last four appearances. He has 14 goals and 12 assists in MLS this season. Meanwhile, his brother Jonathan has been a consistent starter for Villarreal in La Liga and the Europa League. He has already appeared in six games for the Yellow Submarine. Fabian and Pulido are also seeing regular minutes with Eintracht Frankfurt and Chivas, respectively.

Some notable names were left off, including Javier Hernandez and Jesus Corona, but they are expected be on the roster when Mexico opens the hexagonal round of World Cup qualifying against the U.S. Men’s National Team on Nov. 11.

Comments

  1. This is good for MLS. It makes the league more attractive for those quality player from mid tier World Cup teams (think 15/20 -36 in rankings) without fearing that it could jeopardize their inclusion on their national teams.

    Reply
    • It’s good in theory, but Osorio has already been public and upfront in advising against it. This came up when Dos Santos moved to MLS and when Carlos Vela was being linked (I believe to Colorado).

      “I believe that when a footballer is in his peak he should play in Europe and not MLS,” Osorio said in a recent interview with Mexican outlet Excelsior. “[MLS] is for the end of a career and not for when a footballer still has a lot to give.” -JCO

      I’m with you though Anthony. I’ve been a strong champion of our regions best players being in MLS and becoming the destination for our regions best players. I believe that’s the way you grow MLS, and not through retreads that are pushing 40 from Europe.

      Then again I’m a fan of the game and it’s quality, and not one of these MLS fans that get off on everything The Don tells them (and lies to them).

      Reply

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