Miguel Herrera Names Mexico’s Next Captain And His Choice Will Surprise You!

Mexico’s national soccer team squares off with Honduras today, and manager Miguel Herrera, announced his starting XI for the match as well as who he has chosen to wear the coveted captain’s armband. In a surprising move, Herrera announced that Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez will start for El Tri, and that veteran goalkeeper, Guillermo “Memo” Ochoa will captain the team.

The move to Memo is surprising considering that Ochoa has struggled thus far in his Spanish League campaign. Ochoa has not started for Malaga or been between the pipes at all since he last appeared for Mexico on September 7^th. During that same time, Chicharito has only made one start for his new club, Real Madrid, making Herrera’s choice to start him against Honduras all the more shocking.

It seems like Herrera is using Friday’s friendly as a science experiment rather than putting his best out on the pitch. In addition to Memo and Chicharito, Herrera announced an unusual and experimental back three of Julio Cesar “Cata” Dominguez, Enrique Perez and Oswaldo Alannis. The trio has never played on the same pitch before, and never before have either of them played in a three center-back formation.

Club America star, Miguel Layun will start at left back and Paul Aguilar will start on the right. Antonio Rios, Hector Herrera and Marco Fabian will command the middle of the pitch while Oribe Peralta and Chicharito will both play up front as they try and score on Honduras’ formidable backfield. Notably missing is Giovani dos Santos, who as of yet, has not made the roster. El Tri will most certainly miss his offense as they have only scored six goals in their last eight matches.

Ochoa has been captain before, as he was given the honor in 2013 against the United States Men’s National Team during a World Cup qualifier by then coach, Jose Manuel de La Torre.

“The captain is usually someone with experience, someone who knows what these challenges are all about,” said Torre at the time.

The “Fortress of Fortaleza” has earned the armband based on his play during the World Cup earlier this summer in which he made a handful of incredible saves against Group A favorite Brazil. Since that time, Memo has struggled mightily, but will look to get back on track on tonight in Chiapas, Mexico.