Mexico coach Miguel Herrera said his decision to leave Rayo Vallecano winger Javier Aquino off the squad for two March friendlies was only based on a desire to see other players in action and that the players he includes on his 2015 final squads will be those who have played well in call-ups.
Herrera named his list of Europe-based players who will see action for Mexico's friendlies on March 28 against Ecuador in Los Angeles and March 31 against Paraguay in Kansas City, leaving out Javier Aquino, Carlos Vela and Alan Pulido.
"I spoke with Aquino because I want to take a look at a few of the younger players here in Mexico and obviously I have a lot of players to consider on this side in addition to the fact that I want to take a look at [Jesus] Corona, whom I have only seen for one match," Herrera said on Monday. "I haven't seen Aquino again, but I spoke with him so he wouldn't be upset, and we will continue to watch and maintain contact with him."
A 12-player list of Europe-based players was confirmed by the Mexican federation on Monday.
Real Madrid's Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez, Malaga's Guillermo Ochoa and Espanyol's Hector Moreno were included in the squad along with Giovani dos Santos (Villarreal), Jonathan dos Santos (Villarreal), Corona (Twente), Raul Jimenez (Atletico Madrid), Diego Reyes (Porto), Hector Herrera (Porto), Andres Guardado (PSV), Miguel Layun (Watford) and Rafa Marquez (Hellas Verona).
El Tri will begin preparation for the friendly matches on March 22 in Los Angeles. The two friendlies are the only FIFA international friendly dates ahead of a busy summer in which El Tri will compete in both the Copa America and Gold Cup.
"The truth is that when I don't call up a player, I try to speak with him so he doesn't feel excluded," Herrera told ESPN.com.mx. "I have a lot of players to consider because of the two tournaments."
Pulido, who scored a goal in Greek club Levadiakos's 3-1 win over Platanias in his first club game since last May following his contract dispute with Tigres, had been earlier ruled out for the March friendlies by Herrera.
"Alan Pulido will be considered as he returns to form and playing time. He is a great forward," Herrera said last week.
Herrera also said that lack of playing time with their respective European clubs would not necessarily rule out a player for consideration on El Tri.
"While they are playing well with me, they will be included," Herrera said of the squad's regular players. "If with their club they are in an internal competition and training full time, we will still be thinking about them as long as they perform well here."
Neither Moreno nor Marquez have seen action with the squad since the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
"With respect to Rafa, this was already covered that he wanted a bit of a rest, but now we have spoken with him and as we are naming players we decided to include him now as he is doing very well," Herrera said of the team captain. "He has had good continuity and has maintained his fitness level."
Herrera said he his anxious to see how Moreno has recovered from injury.
Herrera also said he will be in the United States for the CONCACAF Gold Cup draw this Thursday. He said that the March friendlies as well as the friendly vs. the United States in April will be key to defining his final list of 23 players for each tournament. He said he will call up 24 or 25 players next week when he add 12 from the Mexican league.
Mexico owns a tournament-record six Gold Cup titles. In Group C, Mexico starts July 9 at Chicago, plays three days later at Glendale, Arizona, and then July 15 at Charlotte, North Carolina. The knockout rounds will be played in Atlanta, Baltimore and Philadelphia as well as East Rutherford, New Jersey. Part of the tournament will also be played in Canada for the first time.