Mexico international Jesus Corona (pictured) is enjoying a standout 2015-16 season with Portugal's Porto FC. (Photo: Mexsport)
MEXICO CITY – Mexico head coach Juan Carlos Osorio named Thursday a 24-player squad for a pair of fourth-round World Cup qualifiers against Canada on March 25 (away) and 29 (home) in Vancouver and Mexico City, respectively.
The roster is highlighted by the selection of three players from Portugal’s Porto FC, including midfielder Jesus Corona, who is second on the team in scoring with eight league goals.
From Liga MX, each of the four teams (Club America, Queretaro, Santos and Tigres) currently contesting the 2015-16 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League semifinals had at least one player chosen for a total of five. Santos is leading the way by providing two competitors -- defender Nestor Araujo and midfielder Jesus Molina.
Squad members will convene for training starting on Sunday at the Federación Mexicana de Fútbol’s Centro de Alto Rendimiento.
Mexico is riding a 15-game unbeaten streak and tops Group A in qualifying for Russia 2018 with six points from two games.
ROSTER
GOALKEEPERS: Jesus Corona (Cruz Azul), Alejandro Palacios (Pumas), Alfredo Talavera (Toluca)
DEFENDERS: Paul Aguilar (Club America), Nestor Araujo (Santos), Yasser Corona (Queretaro), Miguel Layun (Porto FC/Portugal), Rafael Marquez (Atlas), Hector Moreno (PSV Eindhoven/Netherlands), Diego Reyes (Real Sociedad/Spain)
MIDFIELDERS: Marco Fabian (Eintracht Frankfurt/Germany), Andres Guardado (PSV Eindhoven/Netherlands), Hector Herrera (Porto FC/Portugal), Jesus Molina (Santos), Orbelin Pineda (Guadalajara), Rodolfo Pizarro (Pachuca)
FORWARDS: Javier Aquino (Tigres), Isaac Brizuela (Guadalajara), Jesus Corona (Porto FC/Portugal), Javier Hernandez (Bayer Leverkusen/Germany), Eduardo Herrera (Pumas), Raul Jimenez (Benfica/Portugal), Hirving Lozano (Pachuca), Candido Ramirez (Monterrey)
