Key defender Rafael Marquez and playmaker Cuauhtemoc Blanco have
been named by Mexico coach Javier Aguirre for the March 3 World Cup
warmup game against New Zealand at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena,
California.
Barcelona defender Marquez will anchor Mexico's defense with
Blanco, now playing with Veracruz in the Mexican second-division,
charged with finding openings for his speedy forwards.
Aguirre on Thursday also called up young midfielder Andres
Guardado of Spanish club Deportivo for the match featuring two
teams that have qualified for this year's World Cup in South
Africa.
New Zealand named its team on Wednesday, which included
Scotland-based defender Steven Old. He was added to the squad in
place of injured captain Ryan Nelsen.
Mexico Squad:
Goalkeepers: Luis Ernesto Michel (Guadalajara), Jonathan
Orozco (Monterrey).
Defenders: Efrain Juarez (UNAM), Carlos Salcido (PSV
Eindhoven, Netherlands), Francisco Javier Rodriguez (PSV Eindhoven,
Netherlands), Ricardo Osorio (Stuttgart, Germany), Hector Moreno
(Az Alkmaar, Netherlands), Rafael Marquez (Barcelona, Spain).
Midfielders: Gerardo Torrado (Cruz Azul), Israel Castro
(UNAM), Andres Guardado (La Coruna, Spain), Jonathan Dos Santos
(Barcelona, Spain), Luis Miguel Noriega (Puebla) Braulio Luna (San
Luis).
Forwards: Aldo Jesus De Nigris (Monterrey), Carlos Vela
(Arsenal, England), Javier Hernandez (Guadalajara), Giovanni Dos
Santos (Galatasaray, Turkey), Cuauhtemoc Blanco (Veracruz).
