Photo by Gary A. Vasquez/USA Today Sports
A blazing hot start to the 2016 MLS season for LA Galaxy forward Giovani dos Santos earned him a spot for Mexico ahead of next month’s Copa America, however, the 27-year-old has reportedly declined the call-up.
According to El Tri head coach Juan Carlos Osorio, he and Dos Santos had a conversation regarding a roster spot, but the Galaxy attacker opted not to accept it.
“Giovani himself declined the invitation,” Osorio said in a news conference in Mexico City on Tuesday. “To be ethical, what was spoken about will stay between the two of us.”
Dos Santos has recorded five goals and as many assists in seven matches in his second season with the Galaxy.
Despite the veteran’s absence, Osorio’s El Tri still boast plenty of experience and talent.
Goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa continues to lead out the back, while dangerous attackers Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez, Andres Guardado and Oribe Peralta will all play key roles up front. Hernandez is coming off of a stellar season with Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen, where he totaled 26 goals across all competitions.
Mexico will kick off Group C play against Luis Suarez and Uruguay on June 5 before taking on Jamaica and Venezuela to close out the group stage.
Here’s the full roster breakdown for El Tri:
Goalkeepers (3): Guillermo Ochoa (Malaga), Jesus Corona (Cruz Azul), Alfredo Talavera (Toluca)
Defenders (9): Paul Aguilar (Club America), Miguel Layun (Porto), Rafa Marquez (Atlas), Diego Reyes (Real Sociedad), Nestor Araujo (Santos Laguna), Hector Moreno (PSV), Yasser Corona (Queretaro), Jorge Torres Nilo (Tigres), Jesus Molina (Santos Laguna)
Midfielders (8): Jesus Manuel Corona (Porto), Hector Herrera (Porto), Hirving Lozano (Pachuca), Andres Guardado (PSV), Carlos Pena (Chivas), Jurgen Damm (Tigres), Javier Aquino (Tigres), Jesus Duenas (Tigres)
Forwards (3): Javier Hernandez (Bayer Leverkusen), Raul Jimenez (Benfica), Oribe Peralta (Club America)
