Mexico names competitive, but not first-choice roster for Copa America

Mexico manager Miguel Herrera has named the 23 players that will travel to Chile to compete in the 2015 Copa America, the Mexican federation announced on Monday.

Mexico manager Miguel Herrera has named the 23 players that will travel to Chile to compete in the 2015 Copa America, the Mexican federation announced today.

The roster contains a healthy mix of fringe players and those that have a consistent spot within the program, but should not be considered a first-choice squad. Strikers Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez and Carlos Vela; defenders Miguel Layun and Diego Reyes; midfielders Giovani Dos Santos, Jonathan Dos Santos, Andres Guardado and Hector Herrera; and goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa are among those who have been left out of the trip for South America's continental championship.

• MORE: Mexico to play Brazil in Copa America tune-up friendly

However, the Copa America is just one of two major tournaments on the horizon for Mexico. After Copa America, Mexico will also compete in its own continental championship, the 2015 Gold Cup, where winning the tournament would equal a spot in the 2017 Confederations Cup in Russia. The big names listed above are all likely to be picked for the Gold Cup squad, and the reasoning is fairly simple. 

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If Mexico were to win the Copa America, the team would not earn a berth to the 2017 Confederations Cup, as it would instead go to the next-highest placing team that hails from CONMEBOL, the South American confederation. However, if Mexico wins the Gold Cup, the trip to the World Cup warm-up tournament could be in the cards (it would take on the USA, the 2013 Gold Cup winner, in a playoff).

As such, it makes sense to take a competitive, yet ultimately not full-strength roster to Chile, saving the key players for the local tournament.

However, the Copa America roster isn't without its notable players, which include Atlético Madrid striker Raul Jimenez, Hellas Verona defender (and El Tri mainstay) Rafa Marquez, and Chivas striker Marco Fabián. For Marquez, the four-time World Cup captain, it marks his first return to the national team since his controversial 2014 World Cup trip on Arjen Robben gifted the Netherlands a penalty that ultimately eliminated Mexico in the round of 16. He was initially called in for a pair of March friendlies, but he withdrew with an injury.

• MORE: Uruguay names Copa America squad, without banned Suárez

The squad also includes FC Twente midfielder Jesús Corona, who will be the only player made available for both the Copa America and the Gold Cup. This means Mexico will use a total of 45 players across two tournaments this summer. Mexico was drawn into Group A with host Chile, Ecuador and Bolivia. 

Mexico's full Copa America roster

GOALKEEPERS: Jesús Corona (Cruz Azul), Alfredo Talavera (Toluca), Melitón Hernandez (Veracruz).

DEFENDERS: George Corral (Querétaro), Gerardo Flores (Cruz Azul), Rafa Marquez (Hellas Verona), Hugo Ayala (Tigres), Julio Cesar Domínguez (Cruz Azul), Carlos Salcedo (Chivas), Miguel Herrera Equiha (Pachuca), Adrián Aldrete (Santos Laguna), Efraín Velarde (Monterrey).

MIDFIELDERS: Mario Osuna (Queretaro), Juan Carlos Medina (Atlas), Javier Güemez (Tijuana), Jesús Corona (FC Twente), Javier Aquino (Rayo Vallecano), Luis Montes (Leon), Marco Fabián (Chivas).

FORWARDS: Raúl Jiménez (Atletico Madrid), Eduardo Herrera (Pumas), Enrique Esqueda (Tigres), Matías Vuoso (Chipas).

INJURY ALTERNATES: Enrique Perez (Atlas), Arturo Gonzalez (Atlas), Isaac Brizuela (Chivas), Jurgen Damm (Pachuca), Rodrigo Salinas (Pachuca), Luis Fuentes (Pumas), David Cabrera (Pumas)

GALLERY: Cuauhtémoc Blanco through the years

Cuauhtemoc Blanco Through the Years

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Cuauhtemoc Blanco received a farewell from Club America, playing against Morelia in a Liga MX match–and performing his trademark "Cuauhteminha"–on March 5, 2016.

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Cuauhtemoc Blanco lifts the Copa MX trophy with Puebla in his final match as a professional.

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Blanco is given a hero's farewell after the Copa MX final between Puebla and Chivas.

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Blanco plays his final match for Mexico at Estadio Azteca in a friendly against Israel on May 28, 2014.

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Blanco and Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez have some fun during training at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

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Blanco celebrates his penalty kick against France in a 2-0 group-stage win at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

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Blanco dribbles against host South Africa in the opening match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

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Blanco celebrates a valuable goal in 2010 World Cup qualifying at Estadio Azteca against El Salvador.

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Blanco poses as part of EA Sports's FIFA 2010 cover release for the popular video game in North America.

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Blanco is hoisted after a World Cup qualifying match against Canada in 2008.

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Blanco commanded plenty of media attention during his time in MLS with the Chicago Fire.

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Never shy to express himself, Blanco gestures to a referee during the 2009 MLS Eastern Conference championship.

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Blanco reacts after a goal in the 2009 Eastern Conference semifinals against the New England Revolution.

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Blanco tries his signature Cuauhtemiña in a 2008 match against the Columbus Crew, putting the ball between his legs and carrying it while jumping between a pair of defenders.

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Blanco gets into it with Kansas City goalkeeper Kevin Hartman during a 2008 MLS match.

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Blanco is presented 2008 MLS All-Star Game MVP honors by commissioner Don Garber after an MLS win over West Ham in Toronto.

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Blanco and David Beckham congratulate their teammates during the 2008 MLS All-Star Game against West Ham.

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Blanco's arrival in MLS with the Chicago Fire made for some front-cover headlines.

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Blanco celebrates one of his 125 goals with Club America at a match at Azteca against Necaxa in 2006.

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Blanco extends for the ball at the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup final against the USA, which the Americans won 2-1 in Chicago.

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Blanco argues with the referee in a 2006 World Cup qualifying match against the USA, which Mexico wound up winning 2-1.

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Blanco lifts the trophy after America wins the 2005 Mexican Clausura championship.

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Blanco and John O'Brien tussle for the ball in the 2002 World Cup round of 16, a match the Americans won 2-0.

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Blanco celebrates his golden goal against the USA in the 1999 FIFA Confederations Cup semifinals on his home soil.

Joe Cavaretta/AP

Blanco and Luis Hernandez train in Bolivia during the 1997 Copa America.

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Blanco lifts the 1996 U.S. Cup at the Rose Bowl after his goal helped Mexico secure a 2-2 draw against the USA in the final, which was good enough to claim the title.