The Mexico men’s national team is facing an uphill battle in their upcoming Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal series against Honduras. Manager Javier Aguirre will have to navigate the crucial home-and-away matches without the services of two of his most influential attacking players – Santiago Giménez and Hirving “Chucky” Lozano.
According to sources close to the Mexican federation, both Giménez and Lozano were left off the 27-man roster Aguirre announced on Tuesday due to ongoing injury concerns. Their absences extend from last month’s international window and will surely be felt as El Tri looks to secure a spot in next year’s Nations League semifinals and the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup.
Giménez, the 22-year-old striker who has been lighting up the Eredivisie with Feyenoord this season, and Lozano, the dynamic Napoli winger with a knack for producing magic in the final third, have been key cogs in Mexico’s attack in recent years. Without their goal-scoring threats and creative sparks, Aguirre will need other players to step up and fill the void.
Familiar Faces Tasked With Leading the Charge
Thankfully for Aguirre and Mexico fans, the roster is still stocked with plenty of talented and experienced players who will be counted on to lead the way against Honduras.
Edson Álvarez, the versatile midfielder who has become a vital player for Ajax Amsterdam, and Raúl Jiménez, the Wolverhampton Wanderers striker who seems to be rounding back into form after a serious head injury, will be expected to provide stability and veteran leadership in Giménez and Lozano’s absence.
Other notable inclusions are Johan Vásquez, the young center back who has been impressing with Serie B side Genoa, and Guillermo Ochoa, the ageless wonder who continues to man the posts for El Tri at age 38.
Seeking the Spark from New Faces
But Aguirre may also look to some fresh blood to provide the attacking spark Mexico will sorely need. Cruz Azul midfielder Alexis Gutierrez is the lone player on the roster awaiting his first senior cap, while several other upstarts including Diego Lainez, Ozziel Herrera, and Cesar Huerta will hope to make their mark if given the chance.
With six Cruz Azul players in all, Aguirre seems to be leaning on familiarity and club connections as he tries to quickly mold this group into a cohesive unit ahead of the high-stakes matches against Honduras.
Setting the Stage for the Bigger Picture
For Mexico, the Nations League quarterfinals represent more than just a chance to advance in this relatively new competition. A victory would not only clinch a spot in next June’s semifinals, but also secure a place in the 2025 Gold Cup.
Failure to get past Honduras over the two legs would leave Mexico in a precarious position, needing to navigate a tricky secondary path through a preliminary tournament just to reach the Gold Cup – Concacaf’s premier national team event.
The winner will qualify to the Nations League final four and also a spot in the next Gold Cup. The loser will need to go through a qualification for the Gold Cup so it’s an important two games.
– Gerardo Velazquez de Leon, ESPN analyst
So while the immediate focus is on overcoming the Honduran hurdle, the long-term implications of these upcoming matches can’t be ignored. For Aguirre, who returned for a third stint as Mexico’s head coach following the sacking of Diego Cocca shortly after this summer’s Gold Cup, it’s a chance to continue building momentum after a pair of wins against the U.S. and Cameroon in his first two matches back at the helm last month.
With World Cup qualifying beginning early next year, Aguirre knows a strong showing and positive results against Honduras would go a long way in keeping the fans and federation brass on his side, especially after the turbulent end to Cocca’s brief tenure.
The Road Ahead
The first leg of the quarterfinal will be played at Estadio Olímpico Metropolitano in San Pedro Sula, Honduras on Nov. 15 before shifting to Estadio Azteca in Mexico City for the decisive return match on Nov. 19.
Mexico will undoubtedly be favored to advance, even without Giménez and Lozano, but Honduras has proven to be a tricky opponent in the past, especially at home. Aguirre and his men would do well not to underestimate a Honduran side that will surely be eager to play spoiler and pull the upset.
For now, all eyes are on how Mexico adapts and who rises to the occasion with two of their brightest stars sidelined. The depth and resolve of Aguirre’s squad will surely be tested, but a place in the Nation League’s final four and a spot in the next Gold Cup will be a just reward if they can clear this latest obstacle in their path.
Other notable inclusions are Johan Vásquez, the young center back who has been impressing with Serie B side Genoa, and Guillermo Ochoa, the ageless wonder who continues to man the posts for El Tri at age 38.
Seeking the Spark from New Faces
But Aguirre may also look to some fresh blood to provide the attacking spark Mexico will sorely need. Cruz Azul midfielder Alexis Gutierrez is the lone player on the roster awaiting his first senior cap, while several other upstarts including Diego Lainez, Ozziel Herrera, and Cesar Huerta will hope to make their mark if given the chance.
With six Cruz Azul players in all, Aguirre seems to be leaning on familiarity and club connections as he tries to quickly mold this group into a cohesive unit ahead of the high-stakes matches against Honduras.
Setting the Stage for the Bigger Picture
For Mexico, the Nations League quarterfinals represent more than just a chance to advance in this relatively new competition. A victory would not only clinch a spot in next June’s semifinals, but also secure a place in the 2025 Gold Cup.
Failure to get past Honduras over the two legs would leave Mexico in a precarious position, needing to navigate a tricky secondary path through a preliminary tournament just to reach the Gold Cup – Concacaf’s premier national team event.
The winner will qualify to the Nations League final four and also a spot in the next Gold Cup. The loser will need to go through a qualification for the Gold Cup so it’s an important two games.
– Gerardo Velazquez de Leon, ESPN analyst
So while the immediate focus is on overcoming the Honduran hurdle, the long-term implications of these upcoming matches can’t be ignored. For Aguirre, who returned for a third stint as Mexico’s head coach following the sacking of Diego Cocca shortly after this summer’s Gold Cup, it’s a chance to continue building momentum after a pair of wins against the U.S. and Cameroon in his first two matches back at the helm last month.
With World Cup qualifying beginning early next year, Aguirre knows a strong showing and positive results against Honduras would go a long way in keeping the fans and federation brass on his side, especially after the turbulent end to Cocca’s brief tenure.
The Road Ahead
The first leg of the quarterfinal will be played at Estadio Olímpico Metropolitano in San Pedro Sula, Honduras on Nov. 15 before shifting to Estadio Azteca in Mexico City for the decisive return match on Nov. 19.
Mexico will undoubtedly be favored to advance, even without Giménez and Lozano, but Honduras has proven to be a tricky opponent in the past, especially at home. Aguirre and his men would do well not to underestimate a Honduran side that will surely be eager to play spoiler and pull the upset.
For now, all eyes are on how Mexico adapts and who rises to the occasion with two of their brightest stars sidelined. The depth and resolve of Aguirre’s squad will surely be tested, but a place in the Nation League’s final four and a spot in the next Gold Cup will be a just reward if they can clear this latest obstacle in their path.
