Osorio welcomes Giovani dos Santos back to Mexico squad for friendlies

LA Galaxy forward Giovani dos Santos was included among Juan Carlos Osorio’s 23-man squad for their upcoming friendlies against New Zealand and Panama.

Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio also welcomed the returns of Villarreal midfielder Jonathan dos Santos, Eintracht Frankfurt’s Marco Fabian, and Chivas striker Alan Pulido.

Rodolfo Cota, who will get his first senior national team call-up, is one of three goalkeepers included. Granada goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa was not considered for this pair of friendlies. Regulars like Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez, Jesus “Tecatito” Corona and Andres Guardado will also miss the matches.

As expected, Paul Aguilar was absent from the list after suffering an ACL tear in Wednesday’s Copa MX match between Club America and Veracruz.

Other surprises in the list include Toluca defender Jordan Silva and Chivas pair Hedgardo Marin and Oswaldo Alanis.

Mexico will travel to Nashville to take on New Zealand on October 8 before facing Panama in Chicago three days later.

You can see Mexico's full squad below:

Goalkeepers

Rodolfo Cota (Chivas), Jose de Jesus Corona (Cruz Azul), Moisés Muñoz (Club America).

Defenders

Hugo Ayala (Tigres), Hedgardo Marin (Chivas), Oswaldo Alanis (Chivas), Jordan Silva (Toluca), Jorge Torres Nilo (Tigres), Adrian Aldrete (Cruz Azul)

Midfielders

Jesus Molina (Santos Laguna), Luis Robles (Atlas), Jesus Dueñas (Tigres), Jonathan dos Santos (Villarreal), Orbelin Pineda (Chivas), Erick Gutierrez (Pachuca), Marco Fabian (Eintracht Frankfurt)

Forwards

Hirving Lozano (Pachuca), Angel Sepulveda (Queretaro), Elias Hernandez (Leon), Isaac Brizuela (Chivas), Giovani dos Santos (LA Galaxy), Oribe Peralta (Club America), Alan Pulido (Chivas)