Amid a jam-packed summer slate, Mexico will be bringing their big guns to the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
The national federation announced on Friday a group of 11 foreign-based players that comprises the first part of their 35-man provisional roster for the most prestigious international tournament on the continent, which will take place in the US and Canada from July 7-26.
Highlighting the roster are Real Madrid striker Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez and Real Sociedad man Carlos Vela, the latter of whom will be appearing in his first Gold Cup since 2009.
Also on the list are the sibling duo of Jonathan and Giovani dos Santos, both midfielders who also ply their trade in Spain, with Villarreal. Defender Hector Moreno (Espanyol) and goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa (Malaga) round out the Spain-based part of the group, while defender Diego Reyes and midfielder Hector Herrera will make the trip from just over the border in Portugal, where both represent FC Porto.
Left winger Andres Guardado, who was recently named the best player for the 2014-15 Dutch Eredivisie season, is also on the list. The other players named so far are FC Twente winger Jesus Manuel Corona and Watford FC wingback Miguel Layun, who recently helped his team secure promotion to the English Premier League.
All 12 countries participating in the 2015 Gold Cup are required to submit their complete 35-man provisional rosters by June 7. A final 23-man roster must be submitted no later than June 27.
El Tri – who will also send teams to the Copa América in Chile (June 11-July 4) and the Pan-American Games in Toronto (July 10-26, an Under-22 event) – have been placed in Group C of the Gold Cup, where they will face Trinidad & Tobago, Guatemala and Cuba to start their quest for a record seventh title.
