Mexico will face the US national team in Saturday's massive CONCACAF Cup match without versatile attacker Giovani Dos Santos.
On Monday in Mexico City, while speaking to the media, El Tri coach Ricardo “Tuca” Ferretti announced that the LA Galaxy star had sustained an injury that will force him out of this weekend's grudge match at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California (9 pm ET, FS1, Univision, UDN).
“Gio Dos Santos has a muscular problem and can not be with us,” said Ferretti, during his press conference. “We are seeing who will be available for the squad.”
The Galaxy subsequently confirmed the injury, a muscle strain suffered Sunday against Seattle Sounders FC at Century Link Field. Dos Santos has been recalled from the Mexico roster and will remain with LA this week.
Mexico's wily Brazilian boss has a range of other attacking options to call on as a replacement, including Raul Jimenez, Oribe Peralta and Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez. But Dos Santos has provided many of the brightest moments in El Tri's recent history vs. the USMNT, including a devastating performance in their memorable 4-2 romp during the 2011 Gold Cup final, also played at the Rose Bowl.
Ferretti declined to discuss possible replacements and assured reporters that Giovani dos Santos' brother Jonathan would be available.
“I have confidence in all the elements because they are players of ability, and of course now unhappily Gio may not be, but Jonathan no problem,” Ferretti said. “I will not mention names [of replacements], because first we have to do things ethically, and talk to the teams.”
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