Mexico: Gio is back for October friendlies

• by Paul Kennedy  @pkedit, Sep 29, 2016

LA Galaxy forward Giovani dos Santos was picked by Mexico national team coach Juan Carlos Osorio  for El Tri's October friendlies against New Zealand and Panama, marking the first time he has been called up since Osorio took over late last year.

The friendlies give Osorio a chance to look at players on the fringe of the national team and rest key European-based players.

Dos Santos hasn't played for Mexico since the 2015 Gold Cup during which he was injured. Osorio said dos Santos declined an offer to play in the 2016 Copa Centenario for reasons never disclosed.

Dos Santos joined the Galaxy after the the 2016 Gold Cup. He has 14 goals and 12 assists in 26 games for the Galaxy. The 26 goals he has contributed to rank second in MLS behind Toronto FC's Sebastian Giovinco.

Osorio also called up dos Santos' brother Jonathan dos Santos for the New Zealand and Panama games to be plated in Nashville and Bridgeview, Ill., respectively.

Mexico Roster:
GOALKEEPERS: Moises Munoz (Club America), Jesus Corona (Cruz Azul), Rodolfo Cota (Guadalajara).
DEFENDERS:  Adrian Aldrete (Cruz Azul), Oswaldo Alanis (Guadalajara), Hugo Ayala (Tigres), Hedgardo Marin (Guadalajara), Jordan Silva (Toluca), Jorge Torres Nilo (Tigres).
MIDFIELDERS:  Jesus Duenas (Tigres), Luis Robles (Atlas), Jesus Molina (Santos), Jonathan dos Santos (Villarreal/ESP), Orbelin Pineda (Guadalajara), Erick Gutierrez (Pachuca), Hirving Lozano (Pachuca), Isaac Brizuela (Guadalajara), Elis Hernandez (Leon).
FORWARDS: Giovani dos Santos (LA Galaxy), Marco Fabian (Ein. Frankfurt/GER), Oribe Peralta (Club America), Alan Pulido (Guadalajara), Angel Sepulveda (Queretaro).