MEXICO CITY -- Marco Fabian was among 18 players summoned by Mexico on Thursday for a friendly against the United States next week.
#INSERT type:image caption:Mexico has recalled Olympic hero Marco Fabian to its squad to face the United States. END#
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Fabian, a midfielder who helped Mexico win the gold medal in the London Olympics, has not played for El Tri since August, when he received 13 minutes against Ivory Coast in a friendly.
After off-field controversies, Fabian barely played for Mexico after the London Games, but his six goals in 11 matches in the Clausura for league leader Cruz Azul have been enough to convince national coach Miguel Herrera.
"I'm very happy about this because it gives me a great opportunity to show my potential," Fabian said. "It's important not only because of this match, but because it's a chance to stay on the team for the World Cup roster."
Mexico meets the U.S. on Wednesday in Phoenix.
Herrera also chose Rogelio Chavez, a left-back having a great season with Cruz Azul, but left off goalkeeper Jesus Corona, a regular in the World Cup qualifiers.
It's Chavez's first call-up for Mexico.
"I do not know what it means to play for the national team, it's something that I never imagined," Chavez said. "I know that it's now or never for me, so I will die on the pitch to win a spot for the World Cup."
The day before the friendly, Cruz Azul plays Tijuana in the CONCACAF Champions League semifinals and manager Luis Fernando Tena asked Herrera to keep Corona. The U.S. did not call up its three American internationals on Tijuana either.
Also, Herrera did not select striker Oribe Peralta, another regular in the qualifiers. The Mexican federation said Peralta has "personal issues" and asked not to be called up.
Mexico's squad has seven players from America, Herrera's former team. Leon has three, among them captain Rafael Marquez.
The full roster:
Goalkeepers: Alfredo Talavera (Toluca), Moises Munoz (America)
Defenders: Paul Aguilar (America), Miguel Layun (America), Miguel Angel Ponce (Toluca), Francisco Javier Rodriguez (America), Juan Carlos Valenzuela (America), Rogelio Chavez (Cruz Azul), Rafael Marquez (Leon), Enrique Perez (Atlas)
Midfielders: Jesus Zavala (Monterrey), Juan Carlos Medina (America), Marco Fabian (Cruz Azul), Carlos Pena (Leon), Luis Montes (Leon)
Forwards: Isaac Brizuela (Toluca), Alan Pulido (Tigres), Raul Jimenez (America)