It’s fair to say that there’s cautious optimism right now for Mexico‘s men’s national team. In a new era under manager Diego Cocca, who was hired in February after Mexico’s dismal group stage exit in last year’s World Cup, El Tri have kicked off 2023 with a three-game undefeated run.
Advancing to the 2022-23 Concacaf Nations League knockout round with a win (2-0 vs. Suriname) and a draw (2-2 vs. Jamaica), as well as making things difficult for the U.S. men’s national team in a 1-1 draw during an April friendly, Cocca has done a decent job of laying down a foundation that focused on his pragmatic style of play.
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Even with a constant reshuffling of overarching Mexican Football Federation staff in recent months, which includes Cocca and a new federation president, the senior men’s team hasn’t had any real issues in 2023 with weathering the background storm. Seeking to regain control of the Concacaf region through a measured generational change, it’s been easy to see Mexico’s gradual steps forward with Cocca.
But has that progress been enough to find success in a busy summer?
Beginning with exhibitions on June 7 vs. Guatemala in Mazatlan, Mexico, and June 10 vs. Cameroon in San Diego, El Tri will then take part in a Concacaf Nations League semifinal on June 15 vs. their USMNT rivals at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Following an ensuing final or third place match at the same venue on June 18, Cocca and his roster will later switch gears for their Gold Cup campaign that begins on June 25.
Aiming for at least one piece of silverware this summer, especially with the USMNT holding both the Concacaf Nations League and Gold Cup trophies, El Tri will soon be heavily judged solely on whether they can claim any titles.
Ahead of what will be a significant summer gut check, this Big Board will lay out the current depth chart for Mexico. With veterans needing to prove themselves and some fresh faces stepping in, the next few months will define who will be part of Cocca’s plans as he prepares for the 2026 World Cup.
How we’re doing this
The analysis will go through six position categories that will each have four tiers. Guided by Cocca’s announced game plan that has split his roster up for the upcoming friendlies and official competitions, the tiers are also influenced by players’ form and a variety of other factors.
Tier 1: Projected starter: Roster locks and players who are clear starters at their positions in Concacaf Nations League and Gold Cup matches.
Tier 2: Contributor: Players expected to be on gameday rosters for official matches and contribute on the field, either as a starter or sub.
Tier 3: On the bubble: May not have much of a role this summer or will only gain minutes in friendlies, but are part of Mexico’s overall roster depth.
Tier 4: Out of the picture: Players who have been around the team but aren’t part of Cocca’s immediate plans, which includes those suffering injuries.
Let’s dive into what Cocca could be thinking.
Goalkeeper tiers
Tier 1: Guillermo Ochoa (Salernitana)
Tier 2: Carlos Acevedo (Santos Laguna), Luis Angel Malagon (Club America)
Tier 3: Jose Antonio Rodriguez (Club Tijuana)
Tier 4: Miguel Jimenez (Chivas), Alfredo Talavera (FC Juarez), Rodolfo Cota (Leon), David Ochoa (free agent), Jonathan Orozco (Club Tijuana)
Sure, aging veteran Ochoa is going to turn 38 just days before this year’s Gold Cup final, but there’s no denying the maintained talent and perhaps even improvement of the goalkeeper that was selected as the player of the season for Serie A‘s Salernitana. Acevedo and Malagon could one day surpass Ochoa as the leaders of the next goalkeeping generation, but they’re far from the impact and experience he’s shown.
Behind them, Rodriguez is a veteran that will be in the running as a backup in upcoming friendlies. Elsewhere, Cocca has moved on past players like Jimenez, Talavera, Cota and Orozco. David Ochoa, still only 22, saw his stock go down as a bench player in Liga MX with Atletico San Luis, eventually leading to his release from the team this spring.
Expected Concacaf Nations League and Gold Cup selections: Ochoa, Acevedo, Malagon
Full-back tiers
Tier 1: None
Tier 2: Julian Araujo (Barcelona), Gerardo Arteaga (Genk), Jorge Sanchez (Ajax), Jesus Gallardo (Monterrey)
Tier 3: Kevin Alvarez (Pachuca), Salvador Reyes (Club America)
Tier 4: Omar Campos (Santos Laguna), Emilio Lara (Club America), Luis Reyes (Atlas), Erick Aguirre (Monterrey)
Mexico’s positions in the fullback spots are completely up in the air. On the right, both Araujo and Sanchez have the right credentials with their involvement in elite European clubs, but have yet to make a true impact for club and country. On the left, Arteaga has been a consistent figure for Belgium side Genk, but might still be a step behind a resurgent veteran like Gallardo.
Alvarez, who is set to move to Club America, lost serious momentum in 2023 with a worrisome run in the Clausura tournament with Pachuca. Campos has a high potential but has since been replaced in the upcoming friendlies, due to injury, by Club America’s Reyes.
Outside of those seven names, others have plenty to prove.
Expected Concacaf Nations League and Gold Cup selections: Arteaga, Araujo, Gallardo, Sanchez
