Dos Santos returns for Rose Bowl clasico

• by Ridge Mahoney  @ridgemax, Oct 1, 2015

To the surprise of no one, Galaxy attacker Giovani dos Santos has been named by Mexico head coach Ricardo Ferretti to his roster for the Concacaf Cup showdown against the USA at the Rose Bowl Oct. 10.

The winner of this matchup between the 2013 and 2015 Gold Cup champions qualifies for the 2017 Confederations Cup to be staged by 2018 World Cup host Russia. The longtime rivals last played in April, with the Americans posting a 2-0 victory in San Antonio.

A strong set of forwards highlights Ferretti’s selection. Dos Santos is joined by Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez of Bayer Leverkusen and two other European-based players: Carlos Vela, who plays in Spain for Real Sociedad, and Raul Jimenez of Portuguese powerhouse Benfica. The only domestic-based forward is veteran Oribe Peralta of Club America, which contributed three players to the squad. All four players were picked to face T&T and Brazil.

Former Red Bulls defender Rafael Marquez, currently employed by Italian club Hellas Verona, is available to renew his acrimonious relationship with several U.S. players. 

Ferretti did not select dos Santos or his brother, Jonathan, for friendlies against Trinidad & Tobago (3-3) and Argentina (2-2) last month. Gio, who scored a goal and registered an assist during the Gold Cup in July but missed the last part of the tournament with a leg injury, joined the Galaxy in August; he has scored three goals and registered four assists in seven MLS appearances. Jonathan, who started in the Gold Cup final, is also back in the Mexico squad.

Giovani dos Santos is scheduled to leave the Galaxy after it plays Seattle Sunday at CenturyLink Field. He will stay with Mexico after the USA game for a friendly against Panama Oct. 13.

Mexico Roster:
GOALKEEPERS (3): Moises Munoz (Club America), Alfredo Talavera (Toluca), Jonathan Orozco (Monterrey).
DEFENDERS (9): Paul Aguilar (Club America), Diego Reyes (Real Sociedad/SPA), Rafael Marquez (Verona/ITA), Hector Moreno (PSV/NED), Miguel Layun (Porto/POR), Arturo Rivas (Tigres), Miguel Herrera (Pachuca), Jorge Torres Nilo (Tigres), Israel Jimenez (Tigres).
MIDFIELDERS (8): Andres Guardado (PSV/NED), Jose Juan Vazquez (Leon), Javier Aquino (Tigres), Jonathan Dos Santos (Villarreal/SPA), Hector Herrera (Porto/POR); Carlos Pena (Leon), Carlos Esquivel (Toluca), Jesus Corona (Porto/POR).
FORWARDS (5): Oribe Peralta (Club America), Raul Jimenez (Benfica/POR), Carlos Vela (Real Sociedad/SPA), Javier Hernandez (Bayer Leverkusen/GER),  Giovani Dos Santos (LA Galaxy).
Note: Squad must still be reduced from 25 players to 23.