Mike Woitalla on El Tri's vets and teens
For Wednesday's friendly against the USA in Houston, Mexico coach Hugo Sanchez has called in seven European-based players, including Barcelona veteran Rafael Marquez and the Barca teen star Giovani Dos Santos. Also coming is a player Sanchez criticized his predecessor for selecting.
Sanchez, who lambasted Mexico's 2006 World Cup coach Ricardo La Volpe for bringing naturalized players into El Tri's squad, included Brazilian product Antonio Naelson Sinha, who scored against the USA during 2006 World Cup qualifying.
Also back in the squad is veteran defensive midfielder Pavel Pardo, who helped VfB Stuttgart win last season's German Bundesliga title. Pardo had fallen out of favor last summer for opting out of the Copa America, where Mexico finished third.
Missing from the roster because of injury are Nery Castillo (Manchester City) and Ricardo Osorio (Stuttgart).
Dos Santos, 18, joined FC Barcelona at age 13. He broke into the first team this season and has appeared in 15 La Liga games and three Champions League matches.
Also in the squad for the U.S. game is teenager Carlos Vela, who starred with Dos Santos on the Mexican team that won the 2005 U-17 World Cup.
At age 16, Vela was acquired for a reported $4 million by England's Arsenal, which loaned him out to Spanish Second Division club Salamanca, where he scored eight goals in 31 games last season.
This season, Vela is shining with First Division Osasuna, for which the 18-year-old attacker has scored twice in 18 games.
Veterans in the squad include defender Carlos Salcido, who joined PSV Eindhoven after the 2006 World Cup and helped it win last season's Dutch title.
GOALKEEPERS
Guillermo Ochoa (Club América), Luís Ernesto Michel (Guadalajara), Moisés Muñoz (Morelia)
DEFENDERS
Rafael Márquez (FC Barcelona /Spain), Carlos Salcido (PSV Eindhoven/Netherlands), Johnny Magallón (Guadalajara), Fausto Pinto (Pachuca), Israel Castro (Pumas UNAM), Oscar Rojas (Club América).
MIDFIELDERS
Pavel Pardo (VFB Stuttgart/Germany), Gerardo Torrado (Cruz Azul), Francisco Arce (Santos Laguna), Andrés Guardado (Deportivo Coruna/Spain), Antonio Naelson Sinha (Toluca).
FORWARDS
Giovani Dos Santos (FC Barcelona/ Spain), Carlos Vela (Osasuna/Spain), Juan Carlos Cacho (Pachuca), Adolfo Bautista (Jaguares Chiapas), Antonio de Nigris (Ankaraspor/Turkey).