XOLOITZCUINTLES NAMED TO NATIONAL TEAMS

TIJUANA –Fernando Arce, Cirilo Saucedo and Richard Ruiz were named to Mexico’s preliminary CONCACAF 2103 Gold Cup rosters while Joe Corona and Edgar Castillo were named to the United States roster. The Gold cup runs July 7 through July 28 in various cities in the United States.

Mexico coach Jose Manuel de la Torre called Arce, Saucedo and Ruiz to a list of 35 players looking to make the final 23-man roster to be with El Tri in the tournament that gives the winner half a ticket to the 2017 Confederations Cup.

Jurgen Klinsmann did the same with Corona and Castillo for the American’s roster. 

It is a special case for Richard Ruiz, who is being called for the first time to El Tri. The versatile player from Jiquipilas, Chiapas came to Club Tijuana during the 2010 Apertura tournament and became an important factor in the team’s growth.

Ruiz scored Club Tijuana’s first goal in the 2013 Copa Bridgestone Libertadores and also scored twice in the finals of the 2012 Apertura LIGA MX against CD Toluca, helping the team clinch its first title as members of the First Division. He also scored in the semifinals to help beat Club Leon 3-0. 

This will be Cirilo Saucedo’s second call to the Mexican national team after he made his debut with El Tri January 30 in an exhibition match against Denmark and was part of the roster in a World Cup qualifier against Jamaica on Feb. 6.

Arce has extended experience as a national team player. He has previously been part of El Tri since 2003, participating in the 2007 Gold Cup and Copa America. He has played 43 games and scored seven goals with Mexico.

Corona and Castillo maintain their recent activity with the United States national team. They were both part of World Cup qualifiers. Corona was part of the 2012 London Olympic Games qualifiers and made his debut with the senior team Oct. 16, 2012 in a match against Guatemala. Castillo made his debut November of 2009 in a game against Denmark and has World Cup qualifier experience.