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Goalkeepers
1-Oswaldo Sanchez (Guadalajara) Date of birth: 21.9.73 Caps: 68 Goals: 0
Having been the backup goalkeeper for O.Perez and J.Campos in the last two World Cups, O.Sanchez finally became the main goalkeeper of the Mexican national team. He performed well in last year's Confederations Cup tournament, and also successfully defended his country's goal in the qualifying matches - in twelve matches, O.Sanchez conceded five goals.
12-Jose de Jesus Corona (Tecos UAG) Date of birth: 26.1.81 Caps: 6 Goals: 0
Although 176cm tall, Jose is a relatively short goalkeeper, but he compensates for this disadvantage with his excellent reactions. He defended the Olympic team's goal at the 2004 Athens Olympics. Having played six matches for the national team, J.Corona should occupy the second goalkeeper position during the World Cup.
13-Guillermo Ochoa (America) Date of birth: 13.7.85 Caps: 1 Goals: 0
The third goalkeeper of the national team, who outperformed M.Munoz for a spot in the squad. As a goalkeeper playing in his homeland, G.Ochoa has so far only played one match for the national team - last December G.Ochoa made his debut against Hungary's eleven.
Defenders
15-Jose Antonio Castro (America) Date of birth: 11.8.80. Caps: 10 Goals: 0
25-year-old defender represented his country five times in 2003, but in the following years, he remained out of the national team. However, the right-back received a call-up to the team later on when another team defender S.Carmona was removed from the squad for using banned substances during the Confederations Cup.
22-Francisco Rodriguez (Guadalajara) Date of birth: 20.10.81 Caps: 31 Goals: 1
The player also known as "Maza" is one of the few footballers who have managed to establish themselves in the national team since the time when R.La Volpe took over as coach. The past season was successful for the player - representing the "Guadalajara" club, he reached the semifinals of the Libertadores Cup.
5-Ricardo Osorio (Cruz Azul) Date of birth: 30.3.81 Caps: 37 Goals: 1
A defender who quickly established himself in the center of defense after his debut against the Brazilian national team in the 2003 Gold Cup.
4-Rafael Marquez (Barcelona, Spain) Date of birth: 13.2.79 Caps: 65 Goals: 7
The brightest star of the team, whose last season was particularly successful - R.Marquez, with the Barcelona team, this year won the Spanish championship as well as the UEFA Champions League title. The Mexican player, who confidently plays in the center of defense, can also play in the defensive midfield position.
3-Carlos Salcido (Guadalajara) Date of birth: 2.4.80 Caps: 30 Goals: 2
Another player who shined under coach R.La Volpe. Little known until then, C.Salcido emerged as a fast, strong, and good ball-controlling player, and established himself on the left side of defense - the defender played in eight out of ten qualifying matches.
2-Claudio Suarez (Chivas USA, U.S.) Date of birth: 17.12.68 Caps: 176 Goals: 6.
The second player in the world in terms of the number of matches played for the national team. The veteran played in the 1994 World Cup, as well as the 1998 World Cup, while he missed the last tournament because he broke his leg before the final stage.
Midfielders
8-Pavel Pardo (America) Date of birth: 26.7.76 Caps: 124 Goals: 6
Another experienced player, the team captain. P.Pardo is known for his strong shot and predominantly plays in the defensive midfielder position. For the defensive midfielder playing for "America" since 1999, this will be his second World Cup. So far, P.Pardo has participated in the 1998 World Cup.
16-Mario Mendez (Monterrey) Date of birth: 1.6.79 Caps: 32 Goals: 1
This right-back or defensive midfielder capable of playing in the defensive positions had a fluctuating career in the national team - in 2000, M.Mendez played several friendly matches in the Mexican national team, but he was only called up to the national team three years later. Starting his career at "Atlas" club, in 2004 the footballer moved to "Toluca" and later joined "Monterrey" club, where he currently plays.
6-Gerardo Torrado (Cruz Azul) Date of birth: 30.4.79. Caps: 54 Goals: 2
A combative midfielder who returned to his country's club after spending four seasons in Spanish teams. Despite a good performance in the 2002 World Cup, G.Torrado was not called up to the national team for two years, but in 2004, he once again caught the attention of the national team coach.
23-Luis Perez (Monterrey) Date of birth: 12.1.81 Caps: 51 Goals: 8
An attacking midfielder who made his debut for the national team in 1998 at just 17 years old. However, during the next five years, the footballer was only called up to the national team five times and did not have the opportunity to participate in the 1998 and 2002 World Cups. National team coach R.La Volpe recognized L.Perez's good play in attacking and set-piece situations and began regularly calling the player to the national team again.
14-Gonzalo Pineda (Guadalajara) Date of birth: 19.10.82 Caps: 26 Goals: 0
Another "discovery" by R.La Volpe, able to play in the left-back or defensive midfielder positions. The player holds an important place both in the national team and the "Guadalajara" club, to which G.Pineda recently moved from the "UNAM" team.
Forwards
17-Jose Francisco Fonseca (Cruz Azul) Date of birth: 2.10.796 Caps: 28 Goals: 19
A fast forward player, also capable of powerful shooting. The forward shone in the qualifiers and scored a total of 10 goals, four of which were scored in the last match against Guatemala. The forward was one of the leaders of the UNAM team, helping the club win the national champions title. In the 2005 season, J.Fonseca started playing for the "Cruz Azul" team, where he joined for three million dollars.
9-Jared Borgetti (Bolton Wanderers, England) Date of birth: 4.8.73 Caps: 74 Goals: 37
The most prolific scorer in the history of the national team, earning this title as of last September. An aerially strong forward, J.Borgetti currently plays in England for the "Bolton" club, where he ended up after a successful performance in the 2005 Confederations Cup, where the forward scored three goals in four matches. The team veteran played in all four matches of the 2002 World Cup and scored twice.
10-Guillermo Franco (Villarreal, Spain) Date of birth: 3.11.76 Caps: 5 Goals: 2
Another naturalized player whose call-up to the national team sparked controversy. The forward made an impact in his debut match against Guatemala - G.Franco scored one goal and made two assists. The last season was truly successful for the forward - after joining the "Villarreal" team in early 2006, G.Franco with this club managed to reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League.
19-Omar Bravo (Guadalajara) Date of birth: 4.3.80 Caps: 31 Goals: 7
Representing his hometown "Guadalajara" team, the forward will most likely assume the role of a substitute forward and will appear on the pitch replacing G.Franco or J.Borgetti. A skilled penalty box player, the forward played his first match for the Mexican national team in 2003.
21-Jesus Arellano (Monterrey) Date of birth: 8.5.73 Caps: 67 Goals: 7
A midfielder with excellent ball control technique, one of the most experienced players in the national team. J.Arellano represented the Mexican team in the past two World Cups and will have the opportunity to do it for the third time this summer.
