Chivas pair rumored to be called into El Tri

Raul Gudino and Jose Carlos Van Rankin appear to have been called into the Mexican National Team for the upcoming October friendlies.

After a brilliant display in the Classico Nacional of the Apertura 2018, Raul Gudino and Jose Carlos Van Rankin appear to have been surprise call-ups for the two friendlies Mexico will have in the month of October. Both players were the difference makers in the 1-1 draw between Chivas and America.

Gudino has displayed throughout the Apertura why he is the starting goalkeeper (total of 8 appearance for 720 minutes) for Chivas and on Sunday he captured a heroic performance where he blocked a couple of dangerous shots and a stopped a penalty kick that could have sealed the win for America at the very last minute of the match. The 22-year-old came from Porto this past summer where he learned behind the great Iker Casllias. This performance certainly made headlines and could possibly line him up as the future goalkeeper for Mexico.

Van Rankin raised a lot of questions when he was loaned out from Pumas to Chivas during the summer due to his “inconsistency” or style of play throughout the Clausura 2018. So far, however, he has been a solid outside back for Chivas in place of Jesus Sanchez. On Sunday, he made it clear on why he has deserved the opportunity to be called into the El Tri squad, with a piece of art assist that gave Chivas their first and only goal.

He has played a total of 990 minutes in the last 11 games, meaning he has been a starter from the beginning of the match until the end and added two goals, one assist under his name. Not bad for a player that received many criticism during his time with Pumas.

Mexico will have a pair of friendlies on October 11, 2018 versus Costa Rica and will face Chile five days later on October 16, 2018. It has been speculated that Ricardo “Tuca” Ferretti plans to bring aboard young players to gain that trust within themselves and to prepare them for the 2022 World Cup cycle.