NOTEBOOK: NO TRICOLORES FOR MENDOZA.Byline: IVAN OROZCO Staff Writer CARSON -- Francisco Mendoza Francisco Juan Mendoza Martínez (born April 29, 1985 in El Salto, Jalisco) is a Mexican football midfielder, who currently plays for C.D. Chivas USA of Major League Soccer. Mendoza came to CD Chivas USA as one of imports from parent club CD Guadalajara. will have to wait for his chance to make Major League Soccer history. The Chivas USA midfielder believed he had a shot at becoming the league's first player to be named to the Mexican National team when Mexican newspapers reported Hugo Sanchez was considering calling up Mendoza for "El Tri's" upcoming exhibition matches. But Mendoza's opportunity to wear Mexico's green, white and red for the first time was halted when his name was not included in a list of 33 players revealed by Sanchez on Friday. "To know that Hugo Sanchez at one moment has looked at my work with Chivas USA gave me and continues to give me great motivation to continue doing the right things with my team," Mendoza said. "I only think of continuing to work everyday, in each game, in each practice to show my best now that our team is getting ready for the MLS See multilevel security. playoffs." Mendoza was hoping he could be part of the roster when Mexico faces Nigeria in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, on Oct. 14 and Honduras on Oct. 17 at the Coliseum Coliseum: see Colosseum. . Mendoza making the national team was probably a long shot. After all, Mendoza is virtually unknown in Mexico. A product of the Chivas de Guadalajara youth academy, Mendoza made his pro career with Chivas USA and has never played in Mexico. But Mendoza, 22, remains optimistic op·ti·mist n. 1. One who usually expects a favorable outcome. 2. A believer in philosophical optimism. op he could still have a chance at being selected by Sanchez for Olympic qualifying games. Sanchez will select 23 players from his list for the two friendly games. Included in that list is Spanish La Liga Liga de Fútbol Profesional (Professional Football League), commonly known as La Liga and also known as Primera División, is the professional football league in Spain. club La Coruna's Andres Guardado, who usually plays left wing for Mexico. That's the same position the Mexican-born Mendoza specializes with Chivas USA. FC Barcelona's 18-year-old striker Giovani Dos Santos Giovani dos Santos Ramírez[2] (born May 11, 1989 in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico) is a Mexican attacking midfielder, who can also play striker, who plays for FC Barcelona and was a member of the Mexican National U-17 Football team that won the FIFA U-17 World and standout forward Nery Castillo Nery Alberto Castillo Confalonieri Jr. (born June 13, 1984 in San Luis Potosí, Mexico) is a Mexican international football player currently playing for FC Shakhtar Donetsk of Ukraine. were also selected by Sanchez. Mendoza said he is seeking U.S. citizenship in an effort to not only gain the rights of a citizen but to leave another window open toward a national team selection. If things don't work out for Mendoza with Mexico, Mendoza could try to make an impression on U.S. coach Bob Bradley
"It's in my plans, but I'm still in the process of getting my residency first," Mendoza said. "I'm not sure how long that can take. But I do know and see that's something I need to do if I'm not given a chance to be on the Mexican National team." ivan.orozco@dailynews.com (818) 713-3607 |
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