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Mexico Team Page

Squad

Coach: Jesus Ramirez

Roster:

Goalkeepers: Alfonso Blanco, Rodolfo Cota, Alejandro Gallardo

Defenders: Patricio Araujo, Alejandro Castro, Julio Cesar Dominguez, Efrain Juarez, Arturo Ledesma, Osmar Mares, Hector Moreno

Midfielders: Adrian Aldrete, Omar Esparza, Havier Hernandez, Jorge Hernandez, Juan Carlos Silva, Cesar Villaluz

Forwards: Pablo Barrera, Christian Bermudez, Giovanni Do Santos, Jose Guerrero, Carlos Vela

Scouting Report

Strengths: This is one of the best Mexican youth sides to come along in a while. The key players who will be part of the squad in Canada are the same ones that helped Mexico win the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2005. Mexico has great attacking options in midfielder Giovanni Dos Santos and forward Carlos Vela, two superstars in the making. Forward Cesar Villaluz shouldn't be overlooked, either. Coach Jesus Ramirez, at the helm of the U-17 side in 2005, is an intelligent tactician and motivator.

Weaknesses: The pressure is on Mexico. Despite 10 appearances in this tournament, the Mexicans have underachieved and didn't even qualify two years ago. Many are saying this is the best Mexican youth side in a long time, which no doubt will put even more pressure on a young team. Mexico was hardly tested in the CONCACAF qualifiers in games in St. Kitts against Nevis and Jamaica and could pay the price in Canada, where the level of competition will be much higher.

Player to watch: Midfielder Giovanni Dos Santos will be one of the players to watch for this summer in Canada. A future star in the making, Dos Santos is a member of FC Barcelona's youth team and is already being heralded as the next Ronaldinho, as he is known for his long-range shooting skills and exquisite ball handling ability. Dos Santos is the son of the former Brazilian player Gerardo Dos Santo, better known as "Zizinho," who played on the Mexican soccer teams América and León in the late 1980s.

Prognosis: Mexico enters the tournament as one of the favourites, especially after winning the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2005. This year's talent-laden squad presents Mexico's best opportunity to finally win the elusive crown it seeks after 10 unsuccessful attempts. With Dos Santos pulling the strings in midfield and Vela firing in the goals, Mexico is in prime position to challenge for the title. The CONCACAF kingpins will battle Portugal for first place in their group; after that the sky's the limit. The Mexicans' pace and attacking flair will serve them well in Canada, and it wouldn't be a total surprise to see them win it all. At the very least, Mexico should reach the semifinals. Anything short of a quarter-final appearance would have to be considered a major disappointment.

ROAD TO THE U-20 WORLD CUP

2007 qualification route: Mexico finished first in Group B in the 2007 CONCACAF U-20 Tournament (the top two in each of the two groups gains a FIFA U-20 berth).

Qualifying record: 3 games played, 2 wins, 0 losses, 1 draw

Goals for: 5 Goals against: 1

Top goal-scorer in qualifying: Giovanni Dos Santos (2), Cesar Osvaldo Villaluz (2)