Photo by ISIphotos.com
If you were thinking you might see the U.S. men's national team's B Squad defeat a Mexico A team for the Gold Cup title next month, it won't be happening.
Mexico is also sending a B team, with youngsters Carlos Vela and Giovani Dos Santos the only European-based players called into the squad for the July tournament. Playing in a group that includes Nicaragua, Panama and Guadeloupe, Mexico is still considered one of the favorites to reach the final, set for July 26 at Giants Stadium.
Here is the Mexico Gold Cup roster:
Goalkeepers: Oscar Perez (Tigres UANL), Guillermo Ochoa (America), Jose de Jesus Corona (Tecos UAG)
Defenders: Efrain Juarez (Pumas UNAM), Jose Antonio Castro (UANL), Jonny Magallon (Guadalajara), Edgar Duenas (Toluca), Juan Carlos Valenzuela (America), Ismael Rodriguez (America), Fausto Pinto (Cruz Azul)
Midfielders: Israel Martinez (San Luis), Gerardo Torrado (Cruz Azul), Israel Castro (UNAM), Luis Miguel Noriega (Puebla), Giovani Dos Santos (Tottenham Hotspur)
Forwards: Alberto Medina (Guadalajara), Pablo Barrera (Pumas), Carlos Esquivel (Toluca), Jose Maria Cardenas (Pachuca), Carlos Vela (Arsenal), Omar Arellano (Guadalajara), Omar Bravo (UANL), Miguel Sabah (Morelia).
———–
The U.S. roster for the Gold Cup is set to be released later this week, and while it is expected to have more European-based players than Mexico's roster, it will be missing starters such as Tim Howard, Landon Donovan, Michael Bradley, Oguchi Onyewu and Clint Dempsey.
What do you think of this Mexico squad? Were you hoping for a stronger team? Will you enjoy a USA victory over Mexico even if it is B teams meeting in the Gold Cup final? Think red-hot Costa Rica can knock off the traditional powers and take the trophy?
Share your thoughts below.
I don’t want to see Castillo called up; he doesn’t really want to play for the US anyways.
I’m sure the Mexico fans will just use this “B” team deal as an excuse anyways when they lose
jb-
Honduras is bringing a B team. I believe, only two starters from last two WC qualifiers (Costly and O. Chavez) were called up to the Gold Cup. ..though it is expected Costly won’t play as he is expected to travel to negotiate his transfer. In fact, many of the guys on the bench in the last two qualifiers weren’t called up either. It is a young inexperienced team.
@ Tim,
It’s apparently a ‘whole big thing’ they hafta check passports before games etc.
Their B team might perform better than the A team has recently.
Vela a regular? He never sniffs the field for Arsenal. He’s appeared in Cup games. Not really a regular A team player.
This is not Mexican side! where are all the Argies and Brazilians?
…oh i see thats why its their B team.
This is really the A team minus the foreigners.
Bravo, Vela, Dos Justinmapp, Torrado, Ochoa, Pinto, Magallon, n Castro are all regular A team players.
I don’t think Castillo would need a passport to get into the country of his birth.
This ain’t no Mexican B squad.
If our boys look at them that way, we’re in trouble.
Castillo should play for Mexico. He has yet to go Jermaine Jones.
@ Julio, tacos are flipped? I think you’re confusing them with pancakes. It’s a sad day when a fellow gringo cannot get a sterotype correct.
I am with the u23 tourney, but doesn’t that already exist?
Here’s another idea: Why not make the Gold Cup that doesn’t matter a U23 tournament?
I’d like to see how Spector would function as a right midfielder before the end of the tournament. He seems very willing and capable to run at players. Some of his carries out of the back were very appealing to the eye. He brings a very Beckham-ish style to the field. Tidy passing, good touch, great soccer mind, and has hardly made a mistake all tournament. I know thats a bit much after just one great cross but that’s something to be worked on. After this summer, I find it hard to believe he won’t find consistent playing time for West Ham.
Isnt Canada Sending U23.?
@AJ
I agree that Bornstein is starting to look better, and Spector can play on that side too. However, more depth on that side is so necessary. Pearce just looked lost the last few times he has played. Castillo would be an interesting option, and it is always good to take from them. I don’t believe Castillo would be that interested. Let’s face it, he would already have contacted the federation or vice versa. He has to have heard about the rule change and about Jones defection. And while he does not seem to be getting much love from the El Tri management or Club America, I ultimately have to believe he greatly loves playing for Mexico and still wants to hold on to that dream.
Cap the kids
I’m not entirely sure why we’re getting our panties in a wad over Edgar Castillo. I’d like to think that a guy who is at best Mexico’s fourth or fifth choice at LB isn’t going to crack our squad, even if it is our weakest position.
Bornstein is looking respectable, so lets focus on him going forward.
My guess is that more than 10 of these selections will also go to SA in 2010, which means it is not a B Side.
As a weekly follower of Mexican football this selection is NOT a B Squad.
All I see in that list is Arriaga and Arriaga 2
Those who are asking about Edgar Castillo
He lost his passport so he can’t leave the country. This may be the reason he was left off.
This doesn’t look like a Mexico B team. It looks like a half A – half B team. Ochoa, Magallon, Pinto, Torrado, Dos Santos, Medina, Vela, Arellano, and Bravo are all fairly regular A-team callups.
to those who ask whats the point of this tournament…how else are we going to see players on the field such as Torres, Adu, Holden, to name a few, if bob bradley doesnt use them during any competitive game? so there is a point to the tournament, to see how our youngsters do!
What does it say about our so-called regional championship when the two biggest countries elect not to send their strongest team?
Julio, that didn’t really make sense …
i dont want castillo but I say cap him and then never call him up again
b/c Chris is a member of the Rossi family…
Posted by: adam | June 22, 2009 at 09:47 PM
That is classic. It’s actually because Chris is “Cristian De La Guadalajara De Cruz Santa Maria” Yup that is his Mexican name. He is here because he is wanting for one of us to volunteer our sister to marry him so he can get a Green Card. What I will do is send the “MIGRA” after his Taco flipping @ss. WHy do you even come to this website if you are a US hater, this is for US fans, you fool.
Don’t really care who they send. If our As can beat their As then our Bs can beat their Bs.
Vela and Gio are talented but haven’t seemed to step up their play when wearing la verde.
b/c Chris is a member of the Rossi family…
Uh, Chris? Why the hell will you be happy if the US doesn’t win?
Looking forward to winning another gold cup! with our b team no less this time. We are that good.
Most nations are sending B squads. I think Mexico has a shot. Really as long as the USA does not win I’ll be happy.
Its a Canada roster missing DeRosario, Hume, Friend, Radzinski, Onstad.
Seriously, can we not try to convince Castillo now? And Vidal as well? Those two are players who can play left back who are playing in a solid league. They both deserve a chance before Pearce again.
Yep, first thing I noticed was no Castillo. Not sure how he fits into the US team when the new FIFA rule goes into effect, either. But he’s still worth a look.
“Canada = Gold cup champs 2009.”
-Colin
“hahaha colin you are funny.”
-Bob
Bob, it’s actually quite possible. If the US and Mexico send B teams, while Canada sends an almost A team, then us Canucks have a decent shot.
I’m not saying we will win, but don’t count us out yet. Afterall, we “tied” the US in 2007 – losing as a result of dodgy reffing.
I’m with JB. What are we having this tournament for?
DeRosario not going for Canada either. Why exactly is this Gold Cup being held? If Costa Rica or Honduras hold out their top players too this entire tournament can’t be taken seriously.
Sounds like they are trying to sort out their talent while resting most of their European regulars. Dos Santos and Vela haven’t played a lot for their clubs so maybe Aguire thinks they can use the games. Would have thought Castillo was in the same boat. Maybe he’s hurt again.
DAMNITT, i want to see a US/MEXICO final at Giants Stadium this summer!
Isn’t their A team more of a B team these days?
Also, I ALWAYS love beating Mexico.
I’d enjoy beating them if our special olympic squads were playing each other.
Posted by: Freddy
Well in.
I agree, I’m not huge on Castillo, but sure, why not? Also, this roster isn’t devoid of talent, Magallon, Ochoa, Torrado (who said this wasn’t important to Mexico) and Pinto aren’t exactly MLS reserves.
@ jjf3
He’s said before that he’ll never play for the US, even if they called him in, he said he wouldn’t go.
He can go hi five Hitler in hell for all I care.
Canada = Gold cup champs 2009. hahaha colin you are funny.
Seems a little strange for Mexico considering how poor they are playing. Using tourney to interchange 3 or 4 players with the regulars probably makes more sense. B squad for US makes sense because of Confed cup- taking Lando and others from squad for that many games is pretty unfair to them, also for guys like Howard, Bradley and Deuce being in camp securing that spot for the season is probably more important to their development then playing in Gold Cup.
This is begging the US to call Castillo to bring him in under the newly changed rules…must be done by US Soccer, or they’re even more f’d up than I thought…
USA’s B squad > Mexico’s B squad.
CANADA = Gold Cup Champs 2009.
Sunil needs to make a phone call to Castillo ASAP
I’d enjoy beating them if our special olympic squads were playing each other.
hate mexico but looking forward to watching carlos vela….kid showed a ton of promise in limited action for arsenal
No Castillo? They should cap that boy unless they want to lose him. Are you telling me he isn’t even in their “B” squad. Those jokers.
No Edgar Castillo?
Ouch.