LIGA MX’s Clausura 2022 has kicked off, and with World Cup Qualifiers approaching, many of the Mexican National players who Gerardo Martino has recently called up are looking for a spot in his next call-up.

Sources close to the Mexican National Soccer Team revealed to ETO that Mexico’s head coach spoke individually with players before the season, telling them they should have as much playing time as possible for him to consider them.

Due to the rising cases of COVID amongst the league, not all players played or debuted with their new teams after the off-season moves. Only six of the nine games in Matchday 1 remained scheduled, with the rest postponed.

Let’s take a look at the last call-up from Nov. 4, so we can break down how each player performed.

LOOK OUT, INCONDICIONALES! 🚨

Here’s HC Gerardo Martino’s new roster for our Qualifiers matches against 🇺🇸 and 🇨🇦 on November 12th and 16th, respectively. 👤🇲🇽#PasiónyOrgullo | #FMFporNuestroFútbol pic.twitter.com/gcHDuS2TTq

— Mexican National Team (@miseleccionmxEN) November 4, 2021

Out of the Liga MX’s players in the last camp, only America, Monterrey, Cruz Azul, and Guadalajara had national players in the starting XI or substituted.

Aguilas del America

Playing the entire match for Las Aguilas were ‘Memo’ Ochoa and Jorge Sánchez. Striker Henry Martín, who didn’t have much contact with the ball, was subbed out at the 90th minute. Sánchez’s defensive technique was questionable and caused him to make a mistake in his marking, leading Puebla to score. On the other hand, Ochoa’s confidence under the three posts saved Solari’s squad, which ended with a 1-1 draw against Puebla.

Rayados de Monterrey

As for Rayados, César Montes, who did not play in the last World Cup Qualifiers due to an injury that took place in the previous Matchday of the 2021 Apertura, had a subpar performance. However, something that could earn him another Tata call-up is that he served as captain. Meanwhile, left-back Jesus Gallardo was subbed in at the 57th minute in their bout against Queretaro, which ended in a scoreless draw.

La Maquina del Cruz Azul

Uriel Antuna debuted with La Maquina and showed that he still needs to adapt to his new teammates. Despite that, he exhibited good individual technique. ‘Charly’ Rodriguez, who made his move from Rayados, also debuted and opened up the score board in their 2-0 victory against Xolos. Check out his goal below:

Also, part of Juan Reynoso’s starting XI and Tata’s last call-up was Julio Cesar ‘Cata’ Dominguez, who played a good game overall and appeared in his 600th game with Los Cementeros.

Chivas de Guadalajara

As for Marcelo Leaño’s team, the only men appearing in Tata’s last call-up were Jesus Ricardo Angulo, who was subbed in at the 77th minute. However, winger Alexis Vega, who’s been in past Mexican National Team camps, is worthy of a mention for scoring a spectacular free-kick.

Other players who’ve also been in camps of the Argentinian head coach and have not yet made their debut due to them contracting COVID or because of technical decisions are:

• Jonathan Dos Santos – America (Formerly with LA Galaxy)
• Sebastián Córdova – Tigres (Formely with America)
• Luis Romo – Monterrey (Formerly with Cruz Azul)
• Rodolfo Pizarro – Monterrey (Formerly with Inter Miami)

Matchday 1 games yet to be played as of the writing of this article are:

• Pumas vs. Toluca – Monday, Jan. 10 at 9 p.m. CT
• Santos vs. Tigres – Tuesday, Jan. 11 at 8:06 p.m. CT
• Leon vs. Atlas – Wednesday, Jan. 19 at 9 p.m. CT

In those three games, we will keep an eye out for Alfredo Talavera (Pumas), Rodolfo Cota (Leon), Luis ‘Chaka’ Rodriguez (Tigres), Osvaldo Rodriguez (Leon), Sebastián Córdova (Tigres), Roberto Alvarado (Guadalajara).

Which players do you think will be in Tata’s call up once again for the next World Cup Qualifying matches against Jamaica, Costa Rica, and Panama?

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