BY MICHAEL PENG
Mexico’s 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup campaign took a bump before it even got started, as the federation announced defender Hector Moreno will miss the summer tournament due to a foot injury.
The 27-year-old, arguably the best player on Mexico’s back line, was taken out of El Tri’s friendly with Costa Rica at halftime on Saturday and is set to undergo surgery in Houston on Tuesday.
Moreno, who has been playing his club soccer at La Liga side Espanyol since 2011, has made 57 caps for the Mexican national team since 2007 and was a key component to Mexico’s run in last year’s World Cup until he suffered a broken tibia in the quarterfinal defeat to the Netherlands.
Head coach Miguel Herrera has called in Chivas defender Oswaldo Alanis to replace Moreno on the squad, according to the report.
The injury will test Mexico’s depth heading into a tournament where ‘El Tri’ will have a weakened bench due to having sent a second team to the Copa America. Long-time captain Rafa Marquez would normally be a natural replacement for Moreno, but he took part in Copa America and is not on the Gold Cup roster.
Mexico will take on Honduras in a friendly on Wednesday before kicking off its Gold Cup run on July 9 against Cuba at Soldier Field in Chicago.
What do you think of this development? See the U.S. Men’s National Team as the clear tournament favorite now?
Share your thoughts below.
“was a key component to Mexico’s run in last year’s World Cup until he suffered a broken tibia in the quarterfinal defeat to the Netherlands.”
Duh, that was Mexico’s last game at the WC.
Does this make Mexico a “B team” now? /sarcasm
No, it unites them more therefore becoming more dangerous to play against. Did you see that comeback against Costa Rica?
Us loses david and Mexico loses Moreno, US already taking a leased against Mexico for the gold cup.
Mexico wishes it was a quarter final exit.
Not sure Marquez would even be considered anyway given his poor showing in his one CA appearance.
Huge Loss for Mexico. Definitely their best and most consistent defender.