Why Pumas Striker Eduardo Herrera Deserves Mexico Debut vs. Netherlands

Eduardo Herrera is a late bloomer. At age 26, he has yet to receive his first cap to represent Mexico, and he has been working hard to make it happen.

Herrera has played football since he was in kindergarten. He quickly showed his attacking skills and joined UNAM's youth system.

His good performances with Pumas' U17 and U20 squads led him to his debut in the Liga MX in 2011, when he was 22 years old.

In that year's Apertura tournament, Lalo made 16 appearances and put the ball away three times. The following season he bagged two more, also in 16 games.

One year after his debut, Herrera scored four in 14 matches, but in the 2013 Clausura he couldn't keep up. The striker netted once in 18 games, 12 of them in the starting XI.

This resulted in a one-year loan to Santos Laguna, where he slowly earned coach Pedro Caixinha's trust. In the 2013 Apertura he put the ball away four times in only 455 minutes played, his best record since his debut.

Herrera faltered again. For the first time in his Liga MX career he couldn't score once, and Santos Laguna sent him back to Pumas.

The 2014 Apertura has been Lalo's best tournament so far. He has netted five times in 11 appearances, plus he has made one assist.

This has put him as the best Mexican striker of the tournament, something he hadn't accomplished before.

Squawka's comparison matrix shows that Herrera creates 0.82 goal opportunities per game, while Javier Orozco records 0.38.

He is also above Chuletita in key passes with a total of 0.73. Oribe Peralta sends 1.23. On average, Herrera scores 0.45 goals per game, Orozco 0.38 and El Hermoso 0.31.

In the 2014 Apertura, Herrera has won 50 percent of the aerial duels in which he has been involved, more than Peralta and Orozco.

He also has a better ratio in interceptions and clearances.

Lalo makes a clear difference when he attacks through the center of the pitch. He has created nine goal opportunities, 88.9 percent of them from that area. 

According to Pumas' official website (Spanish), Mexico coach Miguel Herrera (not related) is following the striker closely; however, Eduardo Herrera wants to take one step at a time: 

"It's something any player craves. It fills me with satisfaction and responsibility, I'd be proud to defend the national team's jersey."

El Piojo has been trying several players in the attacking zone, but he has yet to find the perfect combination.

El Tri have played against Chile, Bolivia, Honduras and Panama and have scored four times, but only two of those from forwards' boots: Erick Torres and Javier Hernandez.

Orozco and Peralta have yet to score, despite having good performances with their clubs in the 2014 Apertura. Orozco has put the ball away five times, more than any other of his Santos Laguna teammates, while Peralta has four to his name.

Herrera's body build is something no other Mexico forward has. Herrera has worked hard in the gym, and it has paid off.

His strength allows him to endure the defenders' charge, while his speed helps him leave them behind. He knows how to combine these attributes, turning into a lethal striker.

El Piojo should try a player with Herrera's abilities, especially in a game like the friendly versus Netherlands in which physicality will be a factor.

All stats appear courtesy of ESPN FC, unless otherwise noted.