Rafael Márquez has already shown his hand. In his debut against Colombia he fielded his strongest eleven and came away with a 1-1 draw. Against Peru he rotated almost the entire team to give minutes to other options. Now the scenario changes for the Mexican National Team: the United States is the team to beat in Concacaf, and the coach is set to put out his most competitive version.
The template he liked most was the one that faced Colombia. Raúl “Tala” Rangel established himself between the posts, Johan Vásquez and Israel Reyes formed the central pairing, and Jesús Gallardo regained the left-back spot. In midfield, Erik Lira and Gilberto Mora brought balance and creativity, while Roberto Alvarado and Hirving Lozano stretched the field. Everything indicates that Márquez will recover most of those names.
Tala Rangel would return to goal after Óscar García got his opportunity against Peru. In defence, Jorge Sánchez, Israel Reyes, Johan Vásquez and Jesús Gallardo are shaping up as the chosen ones. Left back remains one of the most hotly contested positions, but Gallardo maintains the edge because of his experience.
At the centre of the field, Erik Lira appears to be a lock. The big question is Gilberto Mora. The Xolos youngster is finishing up his recovery from an ankle issue, but his performance against Colombia placed him as one of the difference-making pieces of the new process. In his pre-match press conference, Márquez indicated that the highest probability is that Mora will play against the United States. If so, Mexico will have one of its aces up its sleeve to unsettle the American defence.
In attack, Santiago Giménez has a strong chance of starting. The Porto striker did not start against Colombia or Peru, but the match against the United States is the ideal moment to give him the responsibility in the box. Roberto Alvarado on the right and Hirving Lozano on the left would complete a high-caliber front three.
Márquez wants the first win of his tenure and knows that the United States is the real benchmark. That is why, unlike the match against Peru, this time there will be no experiments. El Tri will take the field with the best it has available.