Football
Tom Marshall, Mexico correspondent 8y

Mexico's Rafael Marquez back to full fitness, set to face United States

LOS ANGELES, Calif -- Rafa Marquez is back in full training and on course to feature for Mexico in Sunday's CONCACAF Cup against the United States, according to El Tri's sporting director Santiago Banos.

"Rafa joined the group [in training] yesterday and he is very motivated like all of them," Banos told press outside the team hotel in Hollywood on Thursday.

"Most likely he'll be ready, that is what we are hoping."

But while 36-year-old veteran Marquez, who had been a doubt with a groin injury, is set to play, there are concerns over goalkeeper Jonathan Orozco, who stayed back in Mexico due to family problems. Banos confirmed the Monterrey goalkeeper may miss the match on Saturday in the Rose Bowl.

Porto's Miguel Layun spoke to the media and stated that preparation in Mexico City during the week has gone smoothly and that the team has been hard at work adapting to interim coach Ricardo "Tuca" Ferretti's demands.

"He has been very clear in what he wants," said Layun. "He's been working specific points to counter the United States' strong points. We have to show it on Saturday on the field."

With El Tri fans likely to outnumber their US counterparts in Pasadena on Sunday, Layun also dedicated the game to Mexicans in the United States.

"We know this is very important for all our compatriots," he said. "We want them to wear the shirt with pride on Saturday and for them to be reward for all they suffer with a victory they can enjoy."

Mexico have been careful to keep their hotel and travel arrangements under wraps during their trip to California and there were only around 50 fans waiting at the airport and even fewer at the hotel, although there was a sizable media presence awaiting the squad.

ESPN's John Sutcliffe reported that Moises Munoz will start in goal for Mexico, with Diego Reyes and Hector Moreno the center-backs, and Layun and Paul Aguilar as the full-backs.

In midfield, Marquez would play the holding role, with Andres Guardado and Hector Herrera further forward. Up front, Raul Jimenez, Oribe Peralta and Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez -- all central strikers -- are the reported starters.

That starting XI would appear to be a 4-3-3 formation, which would represent a significant departure from the 5-3-2 the team played in last month's 2-2 draw with Argentina.

CONCACAF announced on Friday that Club America's Javier Guemez and Leon's Elias Hernandez were added to Mexico's squad as injury replacements for Giovani dos Santos and Jose Juan Vazquez.

Looking on from the stands on Saturday will likely be incoming coach Juan Carlos Osorio, who Banos confirmed hasn't signed his contract but that plans are being made for him to make the trip to Los Angeles to watch the game.

El Tri is looking to end a six-game winless streak against its arch-rival and book a place at the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2017 in Russia in the process.

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