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THE MEXICAN SQUAD
The Men To Watch In France

THE COACH

Manuel Lapuente

A former international striker (four caps, three goals) who took over from Bora Milutinovic last year after a successful career as a club coach in Mexico. Lapuente has been in charge of the Mexican national side before - he was the boss for 20 matches in the early 1990s, losing just four games. Lapuente made his name as a coach with Puebla, where he won the league title in his first season in 1983.

GOALKEEPERS

Jorge Campos
Mexico's most famous player. Campos designs his own multi-coloured shirts and also plays as a striker at club level. Not the force he was at USA 94, Campos plays half the year in Mexico and the other half with the Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer.
Born: 15.10.66. Pumas UNAM. Caps: 88. Goals: 0

Ricardo Martinez
Uncapped youngster who could force his way into the squad as third-choice.
Born: 18.10.75. Atletico Morella. Caps: 0. Goals: 0

Oscar Perez
Agile performer with the current Mexican League champions.
Born: 3.5.76. Cruz Azul. Caps: 6. Goals: 0

Osvaldo Sanchez
Seen as a successor to Campos, but has been going through a rough patch. May be on the bench in France.
Born: 11.2.72. America. Caps: 4. Goals: 0

DEFENDERS

Duilio Davino
Centre back who was ever-present in the qualifiers. Has a good understanding with Claudio Suarez. His dad was an Argentinian pro, who stayed on in Mexico after his playing career there ended.
Born: 21.3.76. America. Caps: 40. Goals: 0

Francisco Gabriel De Anda
Reliable understudy for Davino.
Born: 5.6.71. Santos Laguna. Caps: 7. Goals: 0

Hector Lopez
Long-range free-kick specialist. Strong in the air.
Born: 15.11.75. Atlas. Caps: 3. Goals: 0

Pavel Pardo
Regular left back. He's pacy and likes to get forward. Played an important role in the qualifiers.
Born: 26.7.76. Atlas. Caps: 38. Goals: 0

Claudio Suarez
Mexico's most capped player and a veteran of USA 94. Likely to play in the centre of defence but has been tried in the midfield holding role during recent matches.
Born: 17.12.68. Guadalajara. Caps: 104. Goals: 2

Issac Terrazas
Mexico's first-choice right back. Lacks pace.
Born: 4.17.75. America. Caps: 2. Goals: 0

MIDFIELDERS

Enrique Alfaro
Creative player who has been mystifyingly overlooked by coach Lapuente.
Born: 13.8.72. Toluca. Caps: 16. Goals: 0

Alberto Garcia Aspe
Right-sided attacking midfielder who has been one of


 
  the mainstays of the side for years. Likely to take the free-kicks. He's short of pace but works hard for the team.
Born: 11.5.67. America. Caps: 68. Goals: 11

Raul Rodrigo Lara
Clever passer. Might squeeze into the final 22 for France.
Born: 28.2.73. America. Caps: 25. Goals: 0

Braulio Luna
Talented youngster who plays behind twin strikers. Is a little injury-prone and isn't in great form at club level but a lot of their play in France will flow through him.
Born: 6.4.74. Pumas UNAM. Caps: 9. Goals: 1

Ramon Ramirez
Another veteran of their 1994 campaign, Ramirez is an excellent all-rounder who is certain to be in the team.
Born: 5.12.69. Guadalajara. Caps: 81. Goals: 12

German Villa
Tenacious midfield battler. Probably won't start but will add depth.
Born: 2.4.73. America. Caps: 25. Goals: 0

FORWARDS

Juan Manuel Abundia
Quick-thinking link man who plays off the main striker. Not a prolific scorer.
Born: 11.6.73. Toluca. Caps: 13. Goals: 0

Cuauhtemoc Blanco
A great talent, but often promises more than he delivers. Has been criticised for not being a team player but its difficult to argue with his scoring rate.
Born: 17.1.73. Necaxa. Caps: 33. Goals: 12

Luis Garcia
Former star who will probably be on the bench this time. Tends to speak out if he doesn't get his way, so he could cause problems in France.
Born: 1.6.69. Atlante. Caps: 79. Goals: 25

Luis Hernandez
A clever, pacy and accurate striker. Nicknamed ‘Matador' for his deadly goalscoring exploits, including the winner in February's Gold Cup Final victory over the USA. Has put a disappointing spell at Argentina's Boca Juniors behind him.
Born: 22.12.68. Necaxa. Caps: 39. Goals: 17

Carlos Hermosillo
Veteran striker who was Mexico's leading scorer in qualification but may be discarded by Lapuente.
Born: 24.8.64. Cruz Azul. Caps: 89. Goals: 32

Juan Francisco Palencia
Fast, industrious striker. Could come into the frame if Hermosillo is dropped.
Born: 28.4.73. Cruz Azul. Caps: 10. Goals: 5

Ricardo Pelaez
Predatory finisher who is very strong in the air.
Born: 14.3.63. America. Caps: 30. Goals: 12

Luis Roberto Alves Zague
Very dangerous near goal. Has taken flak for being too reliant on his left foot, likely to start on the bench.
Born: 23.04.67. Club: America. Caps: 77. Goals: 29

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