Mexico Coach Miguel Herrera Right to Omit Atletico Striker Raul Jimenez

Miguel Herrera is ready to face Honduras and Panama in October. Although he capped three European-based footballers, he chose (wisely) to respect Raul Jimenez's decision to be left out, as reported by MedioTiempo.com (link in Spanish).

Herrera and Jimenez go back a long way. The flamboyant manager gave him a lot of confidence when he was in charge of America, which allowed him to flourish into a lethal striker.

El Piojo's arrival meant more playing time for Jimenez. During the 2012 Clausura—which was Herrera's first with Las Aguilas—he appeared 12 times and secured one goal.

Six months later he doubled the minutes he had played in the previous tournament plus turned into an undisputed starter (16 appearances and four goals).

Jimenez was in shape and committed with the team, but he lacked the final touch.

The breaking point in his career came in the 2013 Clausura. Not only did he play every single match from Week 1 to the final showdown, but he was also the top Mexican scorer of the tournament, with 10 goals to his name.

Two years later he had polished his skills and taken advantage of his height (6'2") and speed, which caught Diego Simeone's attention.

When the Mexican joined Atletico Madrid, he had already played four matchdays of the 2014 Apertura and was the top scorer of the tournament.

So, how come one of the deadliest Mexican strikers is not in El Piojo's squad? Especially when El Tri are struggling in the last third of the pitch?

Sure, the coach could have pushed Jimenez into coming, but it is history that prevented an awkward episode between these two.

The striker has proved to be a harder worker. He knows how to come up through the ranks.

Take a look at the 2012 Summer Olympics, where Mexico secured the gold medal. Jimenez was a regular sub who put in distress El Tri's rivals when their back lines were shaky and tired.

The same happened when he made the senior team then under Jose Manuel de la Torre's command. He came in as a sub in World Cup qualifiers and the 2013 Confederations Cup, but he eventually locked the starting position in the Gold Cup.

Having said so, Herrera's decision couldn't be better.

Jimenez must do his magic with Atletico Madrid. Both he and Herrera knew that he needed to stay with his club because Mario Mandzukic's injury would give him more minutes on the pitch.

He will adjust to the team and make an impact, just like he did with America, Mexico U-23 and Mexico senior team—remember his bicycle kick against Panama at the Estadio Azteca?

He has earned fame with El Tri; now he has to put all his efforts on Simeone's strategy, and he will succeed.

In the meantime, El Piojo seems to have his affairs in order, at least in the offense, as he capped former Guadalajara forwards Javier Hernandez and Erick Torres.

No need to put pressure in Jimenez; he will be capped in due time.

All stats appear courtesy of ESPN FC unless otherwise noted.