KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Atletico Madrid striker Raul Jimenez will get the chance to impress from the start of Mexico's friendly on Tuesday against Paraguay, confirmed El Tri coach Miguel Herrera on Monday.
The 23-year-old has seen limited playing time for the Spanish champions since joining from Club America last August and will be hoping to make an impact with Mexico, which plays in both CONMEBOL's Copa America and CONCACAF's Gold Cup this summer.
Mexico have lost five players from the squad since Saturday's 1-0 victory over Ecuador in Los Angeles. Experienced duo Andres Guardado and Guillermo Ochoa have already left because of family commitments, while Miguel Layun and Hector Herrera departed for Europe at their clubs' request.
Jesus "Tecatito" Corona headed back to the Netherlands and his club Twente with an injury to his left thigh.
Herrera also confirmed the rest of the starting team for Mexico in a news conference at Arrowhead Stadium.
Mexico XI to face Paraguay: Meliton, Reyes, Dominguez, Alanis, Torres Nilo, Duenas, Guemez, Medina, Jonathan, Lalo Herrera, Jimenez.
- ESPN Tri (@ESPNFCtri) March 30, 2015
Veracruz's Meliton Hernandez is set to debut in goal, with Julio "Cata" Dominguez, Diego Reyes and Oswaldo Alanis the center-backs in Herrera's 5-3-2 formation.
Jesus Duenas will be the right wing-back, with Jorge Torres Nilo on the left. In central midfield, Javier Guemez will be accompanied by Juan Carlos Medina and Jonathan dos Santos. Upfront, Eduardo Herrera will feature alongside Jimenez.
Pachuca winger Jurgen Damm was set to start the match, said Herrera, but left training early with what the coach described as a "dislocated left ankle."
The 22-year-old won't play any part against Paraguay and his injury leaves Mexico with just 19 players.
Real Madrid's Javier Hernandez and Villarreal's Giovani dos Santos will both start the game against Paraguay on the bench.