This week, a group of 23 Mexican players with Olympic dreams gathered in Mexico City in what was the first step toward reaching the England games. The pre-Olympic camp has two purposes: To properly evaluate some young players who have yet to get playing time on their club teams, and to begin the process of establishing chemistry between those players who are al but certain to play in Olympic qualifying, which begins on March 23 in Carson, Calif.
Aside from the camp, the 23 players will participate in a friendly on Wednesday against Mexican second division team Club Neza. Player performances during this camp, and during the friendly on Wednesday will go a long way in determining which guys will be called up to play on Feb. 29 against the United States' under-23 team at Dallas FC's stadium in Frisco, Texas. With almost a month until qualifiers, time is running out for players to make an impression.
El Tri blog takes a look at the Olympic camp roster.
Biggest addition
Queretaro goalkeeper (on loan from Chivas) Liborio Sanchez's breakout performance in the Apertura put him back in national team consideration. Not called up for the Copa America nor the Pan Am games, the 22-year-old Sanchez earned his way onto the pre-Olympic camp. His remarkable performance against Chivas in the Liguilla playoffs -- he allowed just one goal in two games, and made several spectacular saves -- got him into the spotlight, though his entire Apertura season (23 goals in 21 games) was noteworthy. Though his form has dipped a bit in Clausura (11 goals in 6 games), Sanchez is still considered one of Mexico's best young keepers.
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
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El Tri: The Mexican National Team blog
Have you ever worn an Aztec headdress to a stadium? Have you ever put on a lucha libre mask to watch a soccer game on your couch? Have you ever worn your Mexico jersey to a special occasion and tried to pass it off as formal wear? Then you've come to the right place. Insider's El Tri blog will be your English language authority on the Mexican national team. The first blog of its kind, El Tri will provide regular up to date reports on the Mexican national teams of all levels, whether it's Chicharito, or the next superstar on one of the youth teams. We'll provide exclusive game reports, player features and analysis.
Jorge Arangure Jr.
Jorge Arangure Jr. is a senior writer for ESPN The Magazine. He was born in Tijuana, Mexico, and grew up in San Ysidro, Calif. Jorge joined ESPN in May 2007 after spending three years as a baseball writer for The Washington Post. Previously, he covered baseball for The Bergen Record, in Hackensack, N.J. Aranguré has a B.A. in history from the University of Southern California and a M.A. in journalism from Syracuse University.Brent Latham
Brent Latham is a soccer commentator who covers the Mexican and United States youth national teams for ESPN.com. He has attended youth World Cups from Peru to Egypt, and places in between. Based in Guatemala, he also hosts a television show and writes for national daily La Prensa Libre.Contact us with comments or tips at jorge.arangure@espn.com or follow us on twitter @ESPNTri
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