February 25, 2010 ROSTER SET Marquez, Blanco with Tri at Rose Bowl
Stars Rafael Marquez and Cuauhtémoc Blanco headline the roster named by Mexico coach Javier Aguirre for El Tri’s friendly against New Zealand at the Rose Bowl on Wednesday, March 3 (8 p.m. PT).
The game in Los Angeles is the second game of the current six-city, Mexico tour that will also visit Charlotte, New York, Chicago and Houston as they prepare for their 2010 FIFA World Cup opener on June 11 in Johannesburg against host South Africa.
FC Barcelona defender Marquez will anchor Mexico’s back line, while young midfielder Andres Guardado will showcase his spirited style that has made him a favorite for Deportivo La Coruna. Blanco, the star forward for Veracruz who spent two seasons with the Chicago Fire is one of the most popular Mexican soccer players of all time.
New Zealand Head Coach Richard Herbert also announced his roster for the match against Mexico, which includes a number of current and former Major League Soccer standouts. Among the 17 players on the list are midfielder Simon Elliot of the San Jose Earthquakes and Andrew Boyens from New York Red Bulls. In additional captain Ryan Nelsen of the Blackburn Rovers played for the D.C. United.
ROSTER – MEXICO
Goalkeepers: Luis Ernesto Michel (CD Guadalajara/MEX), Jonathan Orozco (Monterrey/MEX)
Defenders: Efraín Juarez (UNAM/MEX), Carlos Salcido (PSV Eindhoven/ NET), Francisco Javier Rodriguez (PSV Eindhoven, NET), Ricardo Osorio (Stuttgart/ GER), Hector Moreno (Az Alkmaar, NET), Rafael Márquez (FC Barcelona/ SPA)
Midfielders: Gerardo Torrado (Cruz Azul/MEX), Israel Castro (UNAM/MEX), Andres Guardado (La Coruña, SPA), Jonathan Dos Santos (FC Barcelona), Luis Miguel Noriega (Puebla/MEX) Braulio Luna (San Luis/MEX)
Forwards: Aldo Jesus De Nigris (Monterrey/MEX), Carlos Vela (Arsenal/ ENG), Javier Hernandez (CD Guadalajara/MEX), Giovanni Dos Santos (Galatasaray/ TUR), Cuauhtémoc Blanco (Veracruz/MEX)
Head Coach: Javier Aguirre
ROSTER – NEW ZEALAND
Goalkeepers: Glen Moss (Melbourne Victory/ AUS), James Bannatyne (Team Wellington/ AUS)
Defenders: Tony Lochhead (Wellington Phoenix/ AUS), Ryan Nelsen (Blackburn Rovers/ England), Andrew Boyen (New York Red Bulls/USA), Ben Sigmund (Wellington Phoenix/ AUS), Tommy SMITH (Brentford/ ENG)
Midfielders: Andy Barron (Team Wellington/ AUS), Leo Bertos (Wellington Phoenix/ AUS), Tim Brown (Wellington Phoenix), Simon Elliot (San Jose Earthquakes/ USA), Michael McGlinchey (Motherwell/ SCO), Craig Henderson (Mjällby AIF/ SWE)
Forwards: Shane Smeltz (Gold Coast United/ AUS), Rory Fallon (Plymouth Argyle/ ENG), Chris Killen (Middlesbrough/ ENG), Chris Wood (West Bromwich Albion/ ENG)
