The Ideal 23 Man Line Up for Mexico During 2014 World Cup

Obviously most soccer fans know about the 2014 World Cup taking place in Brazil. There will be 32 teams entering the tournament and only one team can come out the champion.

I strongly believe the next Mexico squad has a solid chance of winning that cup. If you haven't read my article on why Mexico will be contenders at the 2014 World Cup, please read that before you read this.

Now Mexico still has almost three years in order to become a world class team. They have the talent to do so fortunately. So now read along as I show you the ideal 23 man line up for the upcoming World Cup in 2014.

Guillermo Ochoa

Position: Goalkeeper

Current Club: Ajaccio (France)

He seems the most promising star other than Giovani Dos Santos and 'Chicharito' but he can quickly become a world class goalie. He did have some ups and down in his career already but he has so much potential to get better. If he makes a name for himself at France, he could quite possibly be a feared goalie by caliber strikers. If he stays out of trouble and can improve overseas, he will be the obvious choice of the starting goalie over solid goalie Alfred Talavera. 

Ochoa has been noted as the best goalie in Mexico and one of the best goalkeepers in the world. There are several saves that make one think how he can get to those bombed balls. A major advantage of his is his length. He is an agile 6 feet tall player.

Francisco 'Maza' Rodriguez

Position: Defender, Center Back

Current Club: Stuttgart (Germany)

Along with Ochoa, he was also suspended from the Gold Cup after testing positive for Clenbuterol. Yet he is a great defender and is constantly called up to play for the national team. He plays tough defense and is one of the better defenders. He can win most balls cornered into the box given his height of 6 ft 3.

He spent most of his time in Europe on the bench but did develop his game making him the great defensive stopper he is today.

Carlos Salcido

Position: Defender, Left Back

Current Club: Fulham (England)

Salcido has been one of the most consistent players on this Mexico team. He was great with Chivas and when he was with PSV, gained a lot of attention as well as new skills that made him a regular on the Mexican Squad.

He will be 34 at the time of the World Cup but I still see him starting for the squad. He brings experience and great defense to the team that Mexico will desperately need.

Rafael Marquez

Position: Defender, Center Back

Current Club: New York Red Bulls (USA)

Widely regarded as one of the most important players in Mexico, Rafael Marquez will play his last World Cup in 2014. He can easily be a starter alongside 'Maza' Rodriguez in the center back position but I would think we could see him on the bench. He will be 35 when the World Cup comes, but if he can continue his great play he displays every game, I would say he would be a starter.

He is the most consistent call up for Mexico as well as the most consistent player. Captain Rafa is also one of the more wiser players who can lead the youngsters in making right decisions on and off the pitch. There's no doubt we'll see him in the final 23 man line up.

Ricardo Osorio

Position: Defender, Fullback

Current Club: Monterrey (Mexico)

I was skeptical about this one, but ultimately I decided to add him. He achieved great success in Europe that resulted in being a constant defender for the Mexican squad. He has been one of the better players on the team but I think we could see him be in a backup role for the 2014 World Cup. He's not the great defender he was with Stuttgart, but he hasn't lost everything. 

He made a fatal error against Argentina that led to goal. Hopefully nothing like that will happen to Mexico and to him in the next World Cup.

Gerardo Torrado

Position: Defensive Midfielder

Current Club: Cruz Azul (Mexico)

Torrado, along with Marquez, are one of the more used players by Mexico. He plays tough and is a great passer and leader. He's also one of the oldest players on the team. At the time of the 2014 World Cup he will be 35. But a lot of mistakes he has shown on the pitch may take him out of the final team so this was also a hard decision for me.

He had great success in club play, but for most fans he will be remembered as a midfielder in the Mexico line up.

Pablo Barrera

Position: Midfielder, Winger

Current Club: West Ham United (England)

Boy, does it make me angry that he is really underused in West Ham. He proved to be such a great player in the Gold Cup. He was such an amazing talent with U.N.A.M. that it landed him a spot with Mexico.

He's another young player who has the talent to become an excellent player and it would really help Mexico in the next world cup. He will be in the starting line up.

Jonathan Dos Santos

Position: Midfielder

Current Club: Barcelona B (Spain)

Hopefully dos Santos will end up in the A team with Barca. He possesses great talent and can easily be a starter over Torrardo if he shows he's good enough. He will be 24 by the time the World Cup comes and he'll most likely be much more improved and mature.

He and eight other players were caught with prostitutes that made him miss the Copa America. A man can have fun, but if he should stay away from things that have a negative impact on him. If he continues a high level of play he will end up on the final line up. 

Aldo De Nigris

Position: Forward

Current Club: Monterrey (Mexico)

This guy seemed to come at the right moment for Mexico during the Gold Cup. In two games coming off the bench, he scored after just entering the game for 5 minutes. Not only that but he opened the semi-final game in extra time scoring the first goal for Mexico. (Celebration shown above).

This guy could accompany 'Chicharito' in the starting line up as the two forwards. But who knows? If he can become a premiere scorer, we could see him in the starting line up. He has already clinched his spot on the 23 man squad in my opinion.

Giovani Dos Santos

Position: Attacking Midfielder

Current Club: Tottenham (England)

He is arguably Mexico's best player. Gio seems to be a magician with his feet and is very good at distributing the ball. He should get more opportunities to play in Tottenham or just leave to where this guy will get minutes because he's only going to get better.

He's only 22 now, so when he's 25 I am assuming he will be in his prime form ready to be and show his skills at the World Cup. He could work on his finishing and defending but this guy is already a high caliber player who just hasn't found the right place in Europe.  

Angel Reyna

Position: Midfielder, Winger

Current Club: America (Mexico)

He was so underused in the Gold Cup it made me mad.

Prior to the Gold Cup, he was the Mexican League top goal scorer and yet he didn't play much at the Gold Cup. Nonetheless, he's a great winger who can make his own shot and really fake out the defense. His dribbling skills might be the best aspect of his game. I really look for him to be in the final line up and be a constant used reserve.

Alfredo Talavera

Position: Goalkeeper

Current Club: Toluca (Mexico)

This guy was a great surprise in the Gold Cup. You would think without Ochoa the goalkeeping would be mediocre but he really played as expected and that's what you'd want in your back up goalie. He played every game after Ochoa was suspended and did not disappoint.

Unless he improves and can beat Ochoa for the starting spot, I don't see him in the first 11 men. But if an injury were to happen to Ochoa, he'd be the next best guy.

Carlos Vela

Position: Striker

Current Club: Arsenal (England)

This one is going to be highly commented on, but I still believe he's going to bounce back.

How the mighty have fallen. He was the most promising player of Mexico's young U-17 squad and now you hardly hear about him. Arsenal hardly plays him and he just watched from the sidelines. Hopefully he can come back and be the striker he was destined to be. He should be as good as 'Chicharito' in my opinion but sidelining him has tweaked that.

Maybe in three years he'll back in top shape and be ready to play another World Cup.

Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez

Position: Striker

Current Club: Manchester United (England)

He is currently Mexico's best striker. 'Chicharito' will certainly make the final lineup for Mexico and it's easy to tell why. First off, he's been playing in one of the best clubs in the world, Manchester United. Not only that but he has already established himself as a caliber player. He is Mexico's deadliest striker and he's only 23 years old.

There's so much to come for him that it's scary for other teams to think about what he can become later in his career. Who knows what's next for him?

Hector Moreno

Position: Defender

Current Club: Espanyol (Spain)

Hector Moreno was a key to the success that Mexico had in the Gold Cup. He started all games and did not disappoint. He just recently signed a contract with Spanish club Espanyol.

He stands 6 feet tall and it seems as if Mexico's defensive line is a solid, tall one. I see him starting for Mexico and could very well start over veteran, Marquez. He will only be 26 and could possibly be in the prime of his career when the World Cup comes

Efrain Juarez

Position: Defender, Right back

Current Club: Currently on loan for Real Zaragoza (Spain) from Celtic

Efrain Juarez has been a major contributor in the games of Mexico. Since the 2009 Gold Cup, he has been a regular on the club and has shown he won't be slowing down anytime soon.

His versatility is something that makes him a great player. Much like Rafa Marquez, Juarez can play both defender and midfielder. He is a good defensive minded guy which will be needed at the World Cup. He can also play great offense and send some centers looking for the strikers' heads.

I see him starting at the right back position.

Israel Castro

Position: Midfielder

Current Club: Cruz Azul (Mexico)

Another regular for Mexico, Castro will most likely be on the final lineup due to his good leadership and play. He's one of the players on Mexico who's spent all of his career playing in Mexico but stills shows great play on the pitch.

He will only be 33 by the time of the World Cup and us fans hope he can continue his great skills on the pitch.

Andres Guardado

Position: Left midfielder

Current Club: Deportivo La Coruna (Spain)

He's been such an excellent player for Mexico in the past years that there's a low chance we'll treat him the same way Deportivo fans do. Since his career with Atlas, Guardado has been a consistent player that there a 100 percent chance he will be on the final lineup unless an injury were to occur.

He's quick, agile, wise, and can send deadly crosses and shots. He doesn't have stature, but he can sure put the defenders out of place. Of course, I see him starting for Mexico.

Paul Aguilar

Position: Defender

Current Club: America (Mexico)

There's not much to say about him, really. He's a starter with America but I don't see him playing a lot in the next World Cup. He can very well be replaced by an up and coming player, say his teammate Diego Reyes.

He's a good defender and will be a solid backup if an injury were to happen to another defender; however he wouldn't be the first choice.

Jorge Torres Nilo

Position: Defender, Left back

Current Club: UANL Tigres (Mexico)

He would be an obvious first choice replacement for a starter. He sure did make the most of his opportunity to shine when he played. He's a good defender who is able to contain strikers.

He should be a constantly used substitution.

Carlos Fierro

Position: Striker

Current Club: Guadalajara (Mexico)

He was the top goal scorer in Mexico's U-17 World Cup champion team. He won the Bronze Ball award after his great play in the World Cup. He is only 16 and he has so much potential to be better. I see him being in the reserve forward slots after De Nigris. Given his young age, people would say it's foolish to add him to the final lineup but as I watched him play in the World Cup, I do feel he can make the final team. He's already won the most prestigious soccer title once, so why shouldn't he be able to do it again. Of course, I don't see him playing much other than making an appearance in at least one game. He's not the only U-17 player I can see in the final lineup.

Antonio Briseno

Position: Defender, Center back

Current Club: Guadalajara (Mexico)

He plays along with Fierro and he's a great, young defender. Add being the captain of the champion team and he seems very promising alongside Fierro. If an injury were to happen, I'm sure he would definitely  play. He just has to limit his mistakes and I'm sure the Andrew Garfield look-a-like will make the final squad.

Jose De Jesus Corona

Position: Goalkeeper

Current Club: Cruz Azul (Mexico)

This was a hard choice. It was either between him or Guadalajara goalie, Luis Michel. Ultimately I chose him because he's shown better play with the international squad than Michel. I doubt he'll play at all, but he can still contribute in practice.

Conclusion

If you sum it up, the final starting lineup should be:

Guillermo Ochoa (GK)

Efrain Juarez (RB)

'Maza' Rodriguez (CB)

Hector Moreno (CB)

Carlos Salcido (LB)

Rafael Marquez (Center Defensive Midfielder)

Pablo Barrera (RM)

Giovani Dos Santos (Center Attacking Midfielder)

Andres Guardado (LM)

'Chicharito' Hernandez (ST)

Carlos Vela (ST)

Key Subs:

Gerardo Torrado (CM)

Jonathan Dos Santos (CM)

Aldo De Nigris (ST)

Angel Reyna (RM)

Israel Castro (CM)

Alfredo Talavera (GK)

Jorge Torres Nilo (LB)

Practice Players:

Ricardo Osorio (RB)

Paul Aguilar (RB)

Carlos Fierro (ST)

Antonio Briseno (CB)

Jose de Jesus Corona (GK)

Surprise Players:

 These are the players who have been showing promise lately but didn't make the cut this time:

Diego Reyes (America), Marco Fabian (Guadalajara), Edgar Pacheco (Atlas), Omar Arrellano (Guadalajara)

That is what the final 23 man lineup for Mexico should be in my opinion as of late. I'm going to update and make different lists every six months so be aware. There's a high possibility I'll be changing and inserting new players while relinquishing others.

Agree? Or disagree? Let me know by commenting and as always, thanks for reading.